Airbus and Leonardo begin NH90 Block 2 development to shape long-term NATO helicopter modernization
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On June 18, 2025, Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo announced that they are launching a joint architecture study focused on defining the Block 2 evolution of the NH90 multirole military helicopter. This study is being conducted in response to a request from the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA). The objective is to identify structural enhancements, performance improvements, and new capabilities that align with future operational requirements.Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The NH90 was first introduced in 2007 after a development process that began in 1995 to meet NATO’s requirement for a medium multirole helicopter suited for land and maritime operations. (Picture source: French Army)
Areas to be addressed in the NH90 Block 2 upgrade include modular avionics, greater configuration commonality, better maintainability, and expanded capabilities such as crewed-uncrewed teaming and networked combat operations. The study is intended to be contracted before the end of the year and is expected to inform procurement decisions by 2027. It will proceed in parallel with other NATO, EU, and national rotorcraft studies and is intended to ensure alignment with ongoing research initiatives under the European Defence Fund.
The Block 2 effort follows the earlier Block 1 upgrade, also referred to as Software Release 3 (SWR3), which was launched in May 2024 under a €600 million contract signed by NAHEMA and NHIndustries (NHI). This contract covered approximately 200 NH90 helicopters from four NATO operators, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, and focused on enhancements in tactical information exchange, sensor fusion, navigation, and the integration of new weapons such as the MBDA Marte ER and the Mk 54 torpedo. The Block 2 architecture study is designed to build on the advancements made during Block 1 while exploring more invasive structural modifications. The teaming of Airbus and Leonardo on this new study stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2024, which outlines a commitment to assess the current program status and explore potential future configurations, including both retrofit and new-build options.
Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even and Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo have stated that the NH90 is expected to remain in service well into the 2050s. They explained that the Block 2 study will evaluate candidate technologies from the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) initiative, which Airbus and Leonardo are jointly leading under European Defence Fund support. According to NHI representatives, the study will consider multiple design objectives including enhanced survivability, increased range and payload, improved digital connectivity, and new operational modes such as collaborative combat. The expected result is an open and modular system architecture enabling faster integration of future upgrades. NHI Vice President Thomas Gut stated that a revised fly-by-wire flight control system and updated avionics will be prioritized, especially for the TTH variant, which is considered to require modernization before 2040.
In parallel, engineering studies have been completed on new heavy stores carriers, additional weapons, and advanced mission capabilities. According to Gut, proposed armament options include air-to-ground missiles, guided and unguided rockets, and air-to-surface weapons beyond existing torpedo loadouts on naval variants. Discussions with GE Aerospace and Safran Helicopter Engines are focused on enhanced versions of the CT7 and RTM322 engines, which currently power the NH90 fleet. While the integration of GE’s 3,700 shp-class T901 engine is not excluded, any engine selected must be compatible with the existing platform architecture. Weight reduction and an increase in the maximum takeoff weight from 11 to 11.5 tonnes are being examined to support greater payload flexibility. A potential update to fly-by-wire controls is also under study, including a new “2.0” system to reduce pilot workload.
NHIndustries Managing Director Christian Naso has confirmed that the architecture study will last two years, with its aim being to balance modification costs, upgrade performance, and platform affordability. According to Naso, the objective is not to design a new helicopter but to apply ENGRT technologies in a way that fits within the NH90’s existing framework. He stated that the scope of the upgrade will ultimately depend on the priorities and feedback of participating NATO nations. Discussions with operators at the 2024 NH90 User Conference and at the 2025 International Military Helicopter conference identified several requested changes, including extended range, reduced maintenance complexity, and greater electronic warfare capabilities. The upgrade will be offered as a retrofit for current aircraft and also as an option for new builds, with emphasis on maintaining cost efficiency.
Feedback from operators has varied. While countries such as the Netherlands and France continue to rely on the NH90 and expand their fleets, others have withdrawn. Norway terminated its contract in 2022 and requested a refund, and Australia retired the MRH-90 fleet in 2023 following service interruptions, availability issues, and cost concerns. Aircraft availability rates as low as 25 percent have been reported, mainly attributed to maintenance burdens, spare parts shortages, and procurement delays. At the same time, other users, including Germany and Italy, have continued upgrades and received the Standard 3 configuration. The Standard 3 NH90, delivered in December 2024, includes automatic folding main rotor blades, stronger landing gear, 11 tonnes maximum gross takeoff weight, and improved communication and safety systems. Block 2 will build on these features and introduce more substantial systems integration.
The NH90 was first introduced in 2007 after a development process that began in 1995. It was designed by NHIndustries, a partnership of Airbus, Leonardo, and Fokker, to meet NATO’s requirement for a medium multirole helicopter suited for land and maritime operations. As of March 2024, 515 helicopters have been delivered in 24 configurations to 14 countries. There are two primary versions: the TTH for battlefield troop transport and the NFH for naval missions, including anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. Over time, several specialized versions have emerged, including a high cabin variant for Sweden and a MITT naval transport variant for Italy. Despite reports of maintenance and cost issues, the aircraft continues to be used in missions ranging from combat and logistics to disaster relief and search and rescue. The Block 2 architecture study is designed to address current shortcomings and extend the NH90’s operational relevance through to the 2040s and beyond.
{loadposition bannertop}
{loadposition sidebarpub}
On June 18, 2025, Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo announced that they are launching a joint architecture study focused on defining the Block 2 evolution of the NH90 multirole military helicopter. This study is being conducted in response to a request from the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA). The objective is to identify structural enhancements, performance improvements, and new capabilities that align with future operational requirements.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link
The NH90 was first introduced in 2007 after a development process that began in 1995 to meet NATO’s requirement for a medium multirole helicopter suited for land and maritime operations. (Picture source: French Army)
Areas to be addressed in the NH90 Block 2 upgrade include modular avionics, greater configuration commonality, better maintainability, and expanded capabilities such as crewed-uncrewed teaming and networked combat operations. The study is intended to be contracted before the end of the year and is expected to inform procurement decisions by 2027. It will proceed in parallel with other NATO, EU, and national rotorcraft studies and is intended to ensure alignment with ongoing research initiatives under the European Defence Fund.
The Block 2 effort follows the earlier Block 1 upgrade, also referred to as Software Release 3 (SWR3), which was launched in May 2024 under a €600 million contract signed by NAHEMA and NHIndustries (NHI). This contract covered approximately 200 NH90 helicopters from four NATO operators, Belgium, Germany, Italy, and the Netherlands, and focused on enhancements in tactical information exchange, sensor fusion, navigation, and the integration of new weapons such as the MBDA Marte ER and the Mk 54 torpedo. The Block 2 architecture study is designed to build on the advancements made during Block 1 while exploring more invasive structural modifications. The teaming of Airbus and Leonardo on this new study stems from a Memorandum of Understanding signed in July 2024, which outlines a commitment to assess the current program status and explore potential future configurations, including both retrofit and new-build options.
Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even and Leonardo Helicopters Managing Director Gian Piero Cutillo have stated that the NH90 is expected to remain in service well into the 2050s. They explained that the Block 2 study will evaluate candidate technologies from the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) initiative, which Airbus and Leonardo are jointly leading under European Defence Fund support. According to NHI representatives, the study will consider multiple design objectives including enhanced survivability, increased range and payload, improved digital connectivity, and new operational modes such as collaborative combat. The expected result is an open and modular system architecture enabling faster integration of future upgrades. NHI Vice President Thomas Gut stated that a revised fly-by-wire flight control system and updated avionics will be prioritized, especially for the TTH variant, which is considered to require modernization before 2040.
In parallel, engineering studies have been completed on new heavy stores carriers, additional weapons, and advanced mission capabilities. According to Gut, proposed armament options include air-to-ground missiles, guided and unguided rockets, and air-to-surface weapons beyond existing torpedo loadouts on naval variants. Discussions with GE Aerospace and Safran Helicopter Engines are focused on enhanced versions of the CT7 and RTM322 engines, which currently power the NH90 fleet. While the integration of GE’s 3,700 shp-class T901 engine is not excluded, any engine selected must be compatible with the existing platform architecture. Weight reduction and an increase in the maximum takeoff weight from 11 to 11.5 tonnes are being examined to support greater payload flexibility. A potential update to fly-by-wire controls is also under study, including a new “2.0” system to reduce pilot workload.
NHIndustries Managing Director Christian Naso has confirmed that the architecture study will last two years, with its aim being to balance modification costs, upgrade performance, and platform affordability. According to Naso, the objective is not to design a new helicopter but to apply ENGRT technologies in a way that fits within the NH90’s existing framework. He stated that the scope of the upgrade will ultimately depend on the priorities and feedback of participating NATO nations. Discussions with operators at the 2024 NH90 User Conference and at the 2025 International Military Helicopter conference identified several requested changes, including extended range, reduced maintenance complexity, and greater electronic warfare capabilities. The upgrade will be offered as a retrofit for current aircraft and also as an option for new builds, with emphasis on maintaining cost efficiency.
Feedback from operators has varied. While countries such as the Netherlands and France continue to rely on the NH90 and expand their fleets, others have withdrawn. Norway terminated its contract in 2022 and requested a refund, and Australia retired the MRH-90 fleet in 2023 following service interruptions, availability issues, and cost concerns. Aircraft availability rates as low as 25 percent have been reported, mainly attributed to maintenance burdens, spare parts shortages, and procurement delays. At the same time, other users, including Germany and Italy, have continued upgrades and received the Standard 3 configuration. The Standard 3 NH90, delivered in December 2024, includes automatic folding main rotor blades, stronger landing gear, 11 tonnes maximum gross takeoff weight, and improved communication and safety systems. Block 2 will build on these features and introduce more substantial systems integration.
The NH90 was first introduced in 2007 after a development process that began in 1995. It was designed by NHIndustries, a partnership of Airbus, Leonardo, and Fokker, to meet NATO’s requirement for a medium multirole helicopter suited for land and maritime operations. As of March 2024, 515 helicopters have been delivered in 24 configurations to 14 countries. There are two primary versions: the TTH for battlefield troop transport and the NFH for naval missions, including anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare. Over time, several specialized versions have emerged, including a high cabin variant for Sweden and a MITT naval transport variant for Italy. Despite reports of maintenance and cost issues, the aircraft continues to be used in missions ranging from combat and logistics to disaster relief and search and rescue. The Block 2 architecture study is designed to address current shortcomings and extend the NH90’s operational relevance through to the 2040s and beyond.
