Airbus Helicopters is advancing the multirole frigate chopper NH90 Sea Tiger to the qualification phase after the aircraft’s maiden flight at the company’s site in Donauworth, Germany.
According to an Airbus press release issued on Thursday, Germany’s Bundeswehr ordered 31 NH90s in 2020 for the German Navy’s shipborne operations. Airbus earlier supplied 18 NH-90 Sea Lion helicopters, the last delivery of which was in February.
Stefan Thomee, Airbus Helicopters managing director in Germany, said the German Navy operating both the Sea Lion and the Sea Tiger will further streamline the service’s operations and maintenance. The NH90 Sea Lion demonstrated its capabilities during the chopper’s first major rescue deployment in the North Sea.
The Sea Tiger’s design specifically matches the German Navy’s requirements for an advanced anti-submarine helicopter, Airbus said. The chopper features an electro-optical system, improved electronic support measures, a dipping sonar, and a weapons system for torpedoes and missiles.
Airbus has previously delivered 135 naval NH90s to six countries where the helicopters have logged over 90,000 flight hours in military, humanitarian, and search and rescue missions.