NATO's NAHEMA agency has signed a contract with NHIndustries, a consortium comprising Airbus (OTC: EADSY), Leonardo and GKN Aerospace, to conduct an architecture study for the NH90 Block 2 helicopter upgrade program.

The two-year study will examine structural improvements including modular avionics, enhanced configuration commonality, improved maintenance and performance capabilities, and new features for collaborative combat, connectivity and crewed-uncrewed teaming operations.

According to the announcement, the NH90 helicopter platform has accumulated 500,000 flight hours. Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, stated that the contract represents preparation for the platform's evolution to meet operational requirements in the 2040+ timeframe.

The architecture study will build on the existing Block 1 program while developing the platform for future operational environments. NAHEMA and participating nations will define high-level requirements to guide the study, which will run concurrently with European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies initiatives.

The study aims to provide technical outputs that will enable NAHEMA and member nations to evaluate and select upgrade design options aligned with their long-term capability requirements. The NH90 currently operates in Sea Tiger and NH90 Standard 2 configurations for naval and tactical missions.

NHIndustries serves as the prime contractor for the NH90 program, with the consortium managing development and production of the multi-role helicopter platform for NATO and partner nations.