Armada International was invited to witness the maiden flight of the NH Industries NH90 Sea Tiger at Airbus Donauwörth in southern Germany on Thursday 30 November (just before the whole of the Munich area was brought to a standstill by heavy snow).
The first customer for this new NH90 version is the German Bundeswehr who have ordered 31 NH90 Sea Tigers to operate from the German Navy’s multi-role frigates.
The Sea Lion will be used by the Navy as a front-line asset primarily in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role, replacing the Mark 88 Sea Lynx. To prosecute this mission the helicopter will be able to utilise a new electro-optical system and improved Electronic Support Measures (ESM), together with a dipping sonar, sonobuoys, and a range of weapons (torpedoes, missiles and door guns).
NHIndustries is owned by Airbus Helicopters (62.5 percent), Leonardo (32 percent) and GKN Fokker (5.5 percent).
Video taken by Andrew Drwiega, Editor-in-Chief of Armada International.
