Aviation News – The NATO Helicopter Management Agency has awarded a contract to NHIndustries to begin a major upgrade study for the NH90 helicopter, aiming to enhance performance, connectivity, and future combat integration.
The contract, signed by the NATO agency NAHEMA and NHIndustries—a consortium of Airbus, Leonardo, and GKN Aerospace—marks the official launch of the NH90 Block 2 architecture study. The initiative reflects ongoing efforts to modernize the widely used military helicopter platform and ensure it remains operationally relevant for decades. The NH90 has been a cornerstone of NATO and partner nation fleets, and this study lays the groundwork for its next evolution.
The Block 2 upgrade will focus on significant structural and technological improvements. These include the introduction of modular avionics, allowing easier upgrades and system integration, as well as increased configuration commonality across fleets to simplify logistics and maintenance. Enhancements are also planned to improve overall aircraft performance and reduce lifecycle costs, making the platform more efficient for operators.
In addition to structural upgrades, the study will explore advanced operational capabilities such as collaborative combat, improved connectivity, and integration into crewed-uncrewed teaming environments. These features are expected to enable the NH90 to operate seamlessly alongside unmanned systems and within networked battlefield ecosystems, significantly expanding its mission flexibility.