NHIndustries, the consortium of Airbus, Leonardo, and GKN Aerospace, has signed a contract with NATO’s NAHEMA agency to launch a two-year architecture study for the NH90 Block 2 upgrade.
This initiative defines the long-term evolution of the multinational NH90 military helicopter, targeting operational needs beyond 2040.
The study builds directly on Block 1 achievements, incorporating key structural enhancements like modular avionics, greater configuration standardization, improved maintenance, and higher performance.
New capabilities will emphasize collaborative combat, enhanced connectivity, and integration with manned-unmanned systems.
Guided by NAHEMA’s high-level requirements and participating nations, the effort runs parallel to European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) initiatives.
It provides critical technical data for nations to select upgrade designs ensuring sovereign long-term capabilities and industrial continuity.
This step addresses fleet sustainment for NATO operators, securing the NH90 platform’s relevance in future multi-domain operations.