A few weeks after the first helicopter landing trials on board the FREMM frigate 'Aquitaine', DCNS, the French Navy and the French defence procurement agency (DGA) have successfully completed a new series of deck landing trials, this time with the new Caiman Marine (NH90) heavy lift helicopter which recently entered operational service with the French Navy.
Having successfully conducted deck landing in January to qualify the 'Aquitaine' flight deck for a Lynx five-tonne class helicopter, DCNS, the French Navy and the DGA organised the first deck landings of a Caiman Marine ten-tonne class helicopter on board the same frigate. As in the previous trials with the Lynx, French Navy pilots appreciated the absence of turbulence above the flight deck in all landing positions.
The deck landing trials, conducted in daylight and at night, are part of the procedures required to qualify the FREMM frigates for deployment of ten-tonne class helicopters. In addition, the campaign was an opportunity to test the onboard maintenance and stowage facilities with a Caiman helicopter.
The Caiman Marine NH90 is one of the flagships of Europe's helicopter industry. It is designed for all types of naval and maritime missions (anti-submarine warfare, anti-surface warfare and anti-terrorism operations at sea) and will be deployed by French Navy vessels.
The FREMM 'Aquitaine' frigate will leave port again in a few days for combat system trials. The vessel is scheduled for delivery to the French Navy in the third quarter of 2012.