Fortune and Curage Italian Navy NH90s

摘要

ON 23 JUNE 2011, WITH THE acceptance of its first NH90, the Marina Militare Italian (MM) marked another important step in the renewal phase of its rotary-wing fleet, a process begun a few years earlier with the arrival of the EH101. This new helicopter, developed by the NH Industries consortium, has already acquired an order list of more than 500 units, and has quickly proven itself to be among the most capable helicopters in its category. The Italian Navy has ordered a total of 56 examples of this twin-turbine multi-role machine in two different versions, intended to replace the AB212ASW. The latter have demonstrated their validity and flexibility for many years, but are now inevitably showing their age. Of the new helicopters, 10 will be in Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) configuration, optimised for transport and special missions, and as operated by the Italian Army, while the remaining 46 will be configured as multi-mission NATO Frigate Helicopters (NFH), conceived to conduct anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare (ASW/ASuW) and maritime search and rescue missions, also operating from the small flight decks of frigates.