NH90 TTH/NFH & MRH90

[Thorvic]

So who's going to cover SAR around the country then?

Or does the fact that we have no Nimrods to search at long range negate the need for actually rescuing anyone who happens to b e in trouble?   

Thats going to be done on a relaunched  Coast Gaurd Contract this time not a PFI

[PR19_Kit]

'Accountants Ruke OK' yet again........

[Leading Observer]

With the Accountants in charge it won't be "Can we resue them" but "Is it cost effective to rescue them?"

[Aircav]

Make all boat owners have insurance for a start just like car owners have to but the main thing is that the RAF SAF Squadrons were set up to recuse downed pilots not civillians and its something that they drifted into doing. I still don't understand that as the Air Ambulances in the UK can't fly at night then why can't the Police helicopters do the dual roll as they do in the rest of the world.

[Spey_Phantom]

ok, i think were getting off topic here 

same Situation in Belgium, our SAR unit was also set up to rescue downed pilots over the north sea.
but how many times does a pilot crash these days, by the way, civilian SAR is used as a secondary role and it helps to keep the crews proficient.
here in Belgium its different, here the SAR pos were shifted from secondary to primary, mostly because its a more important and recurring role, also because our Defence Force has to be here for the people, thats one reason why we pay taxes for it.

this year, we are also expecting our first NH90-NFH, to replace the Seaking Mk48 in the SAR role, and the Allouete III on board our naval ships.

anyways back on topic...

what are the possibilities of a SpecOps NH90, or maybe even a civilian Coast Guard version (stripped of its military gear) 

[DarrenP]

nope, SDSR has laid down the law. Sea Kings are going (all of them) by 2016. Pumas are going to run their course and be dropped at some point. The Merlins ARE going to be prised from the RAF and will be upgraded/modified for naval use (which frankly they should have been from the start).

problem is the reinforced floor the RAF insisted on is so heavy the airframe had to be stripped to bare minimum things like tie down points etc. Adding a folding rotor head and tail both add weight so the HC3 may be less capable than expected. Which is infuriating as the Italian Navy already has a amphibious assualt version in service!

[Spey_Phantom]

just something i found yesterday, could be a good reffererce.
this is Belgium's first NH90NFH on the assemblyline in Donauworth, Germany.

note the new Low-Vis markings and finflash, the fisrt time im seeing something like this on a Belgian aircraft.

[Captain Canada]

Great shot of the production line ! Something about helos in hangars just does it for me.....

I've got the Maritime bird in the stash, thinking replacement for the ill-fated-neverending Cyclone.

[Aircav]

Thats one project the UK should never of pulled out of but as a Whiffer that will change. 

[Spey_Phantom]

Picture, First Belgian TTH model has flown 2 days ago 
cant wait to see one of these fly over my house 

[TsrJoe]

been lucky enough to get a ride in a standard trooping configured NH.90 (yip complete with plywood covering to save damaging the floor!) i can say its an impressive helicopter (compared to for eg. the Puma) a smooth ride, fast, and doesnt seem all that noisy either even with the cabin doors open.

i can envisage the type being in service for a long time to come, maybe even with the RAF. as a Puma replacement once the production lines have closed ! 

Cheers, Joe

[PR19_Kit]

i can say its an impressive helicopter (compared to for eg. the Puma) a smooth ride, fast, and doesnt seem all that noisy either even with the cabin doors open.

And do it should be, it's 30-40 years newer! 

How did you manage that Joe, friends in high places?

[Aircav]

I'm thinking Finnish friends. 

[Spey_Phantom]

i have a question.

im planning on building a SpecOps version of the NH90, using a TTH kit with parts from a revell 1/72 HH-60G Pavehawk.
is there anything i particular this aircraft would need for Special Ops (asside from a bigger nose radar and a refueling probe) 

[Hobbes]

Guns and Hellfires?