Airbus Helicopters began studies to develop the new multipurpose naval helicopter for the Spanish Navy, based on the NH90.
The company reported that after holding a meeting in early April, led by the DGAM (Dirección General de Armamento y Material), a body under the Spanish Ministry of Defense, feasibility and pre-development studies were launched focused on a new NH90 multipurpose naval helicopter concept for the Navy.
Luís Martín Díaz, Head of Customers and Programmes at Airbus Helicopters Spain, told Aviacionline that the studies concern the development of a new ASW/AsuW (anti-submarine/anti-surface warfare) version of the NH90, which will be perfectly adapted to the operational needs of the Navy, both in terms of its integration and compatibility with the Navy’s frigates and its doctrine of use and operation. This helicopter must be capable of performing all the required missions, such as tactical transport, anti-submarine warfare, surface warfare, search and rescue, etc., following the doctrine of its operation.
First amphibious assault NH90s
The first NH90 to be delivered to the Spanish Navy at the end of 2024 will be in MSPT configuration. It will be a «navalized» land version (TTH) helicopter, which will be the most modern amphibious helicopter the Navy has ever had and will significantly increase its strategic projection capabilities.
The MSPT, an evolution of the GSPA Std. 3 version, selected by the Spanish Army and Air and Space Force, features a new reinforced landing gear, a maximum take-off weight of up to 11 tons, the integration of a helicopter-to-ship automatic identification system (AIS) and the automatic folding of the main rotor blades and rear fuselage to minimize flight deck times and increase the safety of the technicians on board.
Then the new NH90 ASW/AsuW
The Spanish ASW/AsuW (anti-submarine/anti-surface) version of the NH90 will feature state-of-the-art equipment and sensors that will offer several decades of operability on a 21st century platform. The new equipment will also be integrated into the Navy’s surface ships, enhancing battlefield integration and interoperability with other Spanish fleets and those of the rest of the European allies.
Multiple studies and technological risk elimination tests are being carried out to integrate the set of sensors and systems that guarantee an operability in accordance with the Navy’s requirements, with great participation of the Spanish industry.
A Spanish rotary-wing consortium
In addition to Airbus, the new helicopter includes equipment from Spanish suppliers such as Indra, Navantia S.A., S.M.E, SAES, Thales, ETEL88, Tecnobit-Grupo Oesía or WIRESA, which are also actively involved in these studies.
Airbus Helicopters emphasizes that this consortium promises industrial sovereignty, autonomy and job creation in Spain.
Complete the replacement of SH-60B
The Spanish Navy currently has a dozen Sikorsky SH-60B Block I Core B LAMPS III helicopters as its main ASW/AsuW warfare embarked aircraft, within the 10th Aircraft Squadron, based at the Rota Naval Base, Cadiz. The squadron was created in 1988, and received its first six helicopters on 22 December 1988. These aircraft are already showing signs of advanced age (bearing in mind that prolonged operation in humid and saline environments produces a great deal of wear and tear), making their replacement mandatory.
As a first step, the DGAM acquired eight Sikorsky MH-60R SEAHAWK helicopters via FMS, whose contract was awarded to Lockheed Martin in October 2023. Airbus Helicopters Spain’s offer for the new multipurpose naval NH90s addresses the need to replace the four remaining SH-60Bs, and perhaps some more units to replace part of the AB-212s of the 3rd squadron, which would boost the combat capability of the FLOAN (Flotilla de Aeronaves), particularly in view of the future incorporation of the F-110 frigates and the current security situation in Europe.
