NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) has contracted NHIndustries to launch a two-year architecture study for the NH90 Block 2 upgrade, targeting operations beyond 2040. This follows the June 2024 initiation of the Block 1 upgrade, with the fleet now surpassing 500,000 flight hours.
The Block 2 study, led by NHIndustries consortium members Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, and GKN Aerospace, focuses on structural enhancements including modular avionics, increased configuration commonality, and improved maintenance and performance. New capabilities will emphasize collaborative combat, enhanced connectivity, and crewed-uncrewed teaming with drones.
Building directly on Block 1’s software release 3 (SWR3), which integrates Data Link 22, Identification Friend or Foe Mod 5 Level 2, advanced electro-optical systems, dipping sonar, and weapons like the Mk54 torpedo and Marte ER missile, the study aligns with European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies initiatives.
Over 600 NH90 helicopters operate across more than a dozen NATO countries, with Block 1 set to upgrade around 200 NFH and TTH variants in its second phase. This progression ensures the platform’s relevance for future NATO missions, addressing evolving battlefield demands through extended service life and interoperability.
Participating nations will use the study’s technical outputs to evaluate upgrade options, positioning the NH90 for 2040s requirements amid ongoing exports like Spain’s planned 31-unit order.