France's special forces are poised to begin operating the NHIndustries NH90 Caïman sooner than expected, after the helicopter proved itself during Operation 'Barkhane' in Mali, French military sources told IHS Jane's at the Paris Air Show.
Personnel (pilots, flight engineers, and maintenance specialists) from the 4ème Régiment d'Hélicoptères des Forces Spéciales (HFS) will travel to the Gamstat (French army aviation test centre) in Valence in July to familiarise themselves with the NH90, a Gamstat officer said.
The 4ème RHFS is expected to customise the NH90 for the special forces role, and the familiarisation will play a key role in shaping their requirements. It is expected that the 4ème RHFS will want to add another electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) system for observation, a datalink, and a rope system for extraction. A basic set of requirements for customising the NH90 to special forces' needs could be written before the year's end.
As well as several flights with the Gamstat's sole NH90, the 4ème RFSH delegation will also look at the helicopter's maintenance and logistic needs.
For the 4ème RHFS the NH90 will replace the Airbus Helicopters H225M Caracal. An entry into service with the Pau-based regiment could be attained in 2018, several years ahead of previous projections.
Compared with the H225 Caracal, the NH90 offers better range and speed, and notably has better engine efficiency in certain conditions.
Initial operational capability on the Caïman was declared before the 1er Régiment d'Hélicoptères de Combat (RHC) deployed to Mali in November 2014, although full operational capability will not be announced before mid-2016.
Within a few months, the Malian theatre should receive a third NH90 and a plan exists to send a fourth one in due course.
Paris Air Show 2015: French special forces look to modify NH90 - IHS Jane's 360
