The Norwegian Navy's NH90 maritime helicopter prototype series has successfully completed testing of a self-protection suite in Cazaux, Bruz and Ile du Levant.

The test, which commenced in September 2015, assessed the electronic warfare suite (EWS) fitted into the NHIndustries-built Norwegian NH90 NNWN01 prototype.

It also evaluated the aircraft's ability to address threats coming from below the helicopter, termed as the negative elevation as well as conducting the positive elevation tests.

“In total seven nationalities working together, bringing the best of their expertise in electronic warfare and system integration.”

Carried out in French Direction Generale de l'Armement (DGA) installations, the test campaign was supported by a multi-national, multi-disciplined team from several organisations.

NHIndustries managing director Vittorio Della Bella said: "The team for this test campaign has included representatives from NHIndustries, Finmeccanica Helicopter Division, Airbus Helicopters, Norwegian Defence Materiel Agency, and HARRIS, together with German WTD61.

"In total seven nationalities working together, bringing the best of their expertise in electronic warfare and system integration, in order to turn an impressive challenge into a bright success."

The self-protection suite included a radar warner receiver, (AN/ALQ-211(v)5, built by Harris, which has the capability to track and identify any radar guided threats at long distance around the NH90.

Additional components include a laser warning system, (AN/AVR-2A (v)1, built by Goodrich, and a missile warning system, (AN/AAR-54), built by Northrop Grumman, as well as a countermeasures dispensing system, (AN/ALE 47 (H), built by BAE.

The self-protection suite is aimed at tracking and terminating a range of radio frequency, laser and infrared threats. This milestone paves the way for the qualification of the EWS suite of the Norwegian NH90s.

The twin-engine, medium-size NH90 Nato Frigate Helicopter (NFH) supports missions including anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare, search-and-rescue, transport, special ops support, boarding, medical evacuation, maritime reconnaissance, and anti-piracy in all environments.

Image: An image of the test of the self-protection suite of Norwegian Navy's NH90 helicopters. Photo: courtesy of NHIndustries.