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October 14, 2020 | International, Aerospace, Naval, Land

Le ministère des Armées lance le développement de la version « forces spéciales » de l’hélicoptère NH 90

- La Direction générale de l'armement (DGA) a commandé la transformation de dix hélicoptères NH90 en version « forces spéciales » (NH 90 FS) le 29 septembre 2020 à NHI Industries, avec pour équipementiers majeurs Thales et Safran.
- La version « forces spéciales » du NH90 vise à doter les forces spéciales françaises de nouvelles capacités d'intervention adaptées à leurs missions sur tous les types de thé'tres. Cette évolution technologique est une illustration concrète de la modernisation des équipements prévue par la Loi de programmation militaire (LPM) 2019-2025.
- La LPM 2019-2025 prévoit la livraison de dix NH 90 FS, dont cinq dès 2025. Les cinq suivants devraient être livrés en 2026

Développé dans le cadre d'un programme en coopération européenne rassemblant l'Allemagne, la Belgique, la France, l'Italie et les Pays-Bas, l'hélicoptère NH90 se décline en deux versions : le TTH (Tactical Transport Helicopter) pour les missions d'appui aux forces terrestres, et le NFH (NATO Frigate Helicopter) pour les missions de secours maritime et de lutte antinavire et anti sous-marine. Il a depuis été choisi par neuf autres pays (Australie, Espagne, Finlande, Grèce, Norvège, Nouvelle-Zélande, Oman, Qatar et Suède). Au total 566 hélicoptères NH90 ont été commandés.

Dix-huit mois après le lancement des études préparatoires, menées en partie en coopération avec la Belgique et l'Australie, la NAHEMA (NATO HElicopter Management Agency) vient de notifier, par délégation de la DGA, le contrat de développement de la version « forces spéciales » du NH90. Un avenant au contrat de production des 74 TTH commandés au profit de l'armée de Terre a également été notifié pour couvrir la modification des dix derniers appareils au standard « forces spéciales ».

Hélicoptère biturbine de la classe 11 tonnes, le NH90 est le premier hélicoptère militaire à commandes de vol électriques. Cette évolution contribue à placer l'hélicoptère au meilleur niveau mondial. Destinés au 4ème Régiment d'hélicoptères des forces spéciales (4e RHFS), les NH90 FS offriront, à terme, des capacités de pénétration et d'opération en conditions de visibilité très dégradées, en particulier sur des thé'tres d'opération réputés difficiles comme la bande sahélo-saharienne.

Les principales améliorations apportées au NH90 FS concernent :

  • l'ajout d'un nouveau système optronique d'observation (l'Euroflir™410 de nouvelle génération de la société Safran Electronics & Défense) pour permettre une détection améliorée des obstacles et des menaces, en vol tactique et par toutes conditions de nuit ;
  • la possibilité d'utiliser l'issue arrière du TTH pour les opérations d'aérocordage avec autoprotection par les portes latérales ;
  • diverses améliorations de la soute du NH90 pour permettre entre autres d'utiliser l'issue arrière en vol ou d'afficher la vidéo du système optronique d'observation au profit des personnels en soute.

En outre, des provisions électriques et mécaniques ont été prises pour intégrer ultérieurement :

  • la mise à hauteur du casque TopOwl de Thales, c'est-à-dire le passage de l'affichage analogique au numérique pour offrir de nouvelles capacités comme l'affichage de vidéo haute résolution des senseurs de pilotage et de mission (Eurofl'eye™ & Euroflir™), l'élaboration et l'affichage de la réalité augmentée (terrain synthétique et obstacles) et l'affichage de symboles 3D « tactiques ». Cet équipement sera commun avec le prochain standard 3 de l'hélicoptère d'attaque Tigre ;
  • un « système optronique large champ » Eurofl'Eye™ développé par Safran Electronics & Defense pour améliorer les conditions de pilotage en environnement dégradé (comme les posés de nuit ou en environnement sableux) en offrant des champs de vision indépendants au pilote et au co-pilote.

Les évolutions du NH90 FS, qui suscitent de l'intérêt d'autres pays déjà équipés de cet hélicoptère, ne sont pas destinées à l'usage exclusif des forces spéciales. En effet, la plupart de ces nouvelles capacités seront également utiles à l'Aviation légère de l'armée de Terre (ALAT) pour augmenter la couverture opérationnelle du TTH.

Le programme NH90

Le programme est réalisé sous l'égide de l'organisation OTAN NAHEMO (NATO HElicopter Management Organization) qui s'appuie sur une agence, la NAHEMA, dont la mission est de coordonner et exécuter les demandes des maîtrises d'ouvrage nationales. Pour la France, le programme est conduit par la DGA.

La maîtrise d'œuvre est assurée par le consortium NH Industries, composé du groupe Airbus Helicopters et des industriels Leonardo Helicopters et Fokker Aerostructures.
Les NH90 destinés aux forces françaises seront fabriqués sur le site de Marignane (Bouches du Rhône) d'Airbus Helicopters France.

Entre 2000 et 2015, la France a commandé un total de 74 NH 90-TTH et 27 NH90-NFH. A ce jour, 24 NFH ont été livrés pour la Marine nationale, et 45 TTH pour l'armée de Terre.

  • le NFH remplace progressivement les Lynx et les Super Frelon (déjà retirés du service actif) de la Marine nationale. Ses principales missions sont la protection de la force navale le contre-terrorisme maritime, le transport à partir de la terre ou de b'timents, le service public, la sauvegarde et le sauvetage ;
  • le TTH remplace progressivement les hélicoptères Puma de l'armée de Terre. Ses missions principales sont le transport tactique de troupes (jusqu'à 20 commandos) et de matériel (jusqu'à 2,5 tonnes). Les missions secondaires sont l'appui feu, le parachutage ou l'évacuation de blessés.

En 2025, les NH90-TTH constitueront la principale flotte d'hélicoptères de l'armée de Terre.

https://www.defense.gouv.fr/dga/actualite/le-ministere-des-armees-lance-le-developpement-de-la-version-forces-speciales-de-l-helicoptere

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