Since the Dutch Helicopter Command (DHC) started its operations with the NH-90, the focus was on maritime missions in their role as NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH). Stationed on multipurpose frigates, Ocean-going Patrol Vessels (OPV) or on one of the 2 Landing Platform Docks (LPD), they execute their sea based operations. These include amongst others, Surface Warfare (SuW), Anti- Submarine Warfare (ASW), counterdrug, replenishment at sea and Search and Rescue (SAR) duties. For these duties, the NH-90 can carry door mounted rifles and Mark46 torpedos.
Cougar capacity
However, due to earlier capacity constraints in the initial years of NH-90 operations, the TNFH amphibious tasks were taken care by the AS-532 U2 Cougar helicopters. Although the Cougars, which were in operations since 1996, had been taken out of service in 2011 because of Dutch defence cost cutting programmes, the defence staff decided to put them back into operations as the introduction of the NH-90 suffered from technical issues and delays. Next to the NH-90 programme, the introduction of the CH-47F MYII CAAS Chinook to replace the older CH-47Ds was also facing a delay in planning. This resulted in the revival of Cougar operations and although initially mentioned as a temporary plan, finally 12 samples were fully operational with the so called “Wildcats” of 300 sqn. To remain on track with the new initiatives, DHC signed a Base Maintenance contract with Heli-One for maintenance and inspections support for the 12 helicopters and another five Cougars in storage. The Cougars, based at Gilze-Rijen Air Force Base, were tasked for Medical Evacuation (MedEvac) and Special Operations Forces’ (SOF) operations and later on equipped with float devices in their pontons, they also executed the amphibious tasks onboard navy vessels. Currently, with 20 NH-90s delivered (of which 1 was lost in an accident in 2020), and the CH-47F deliveries well underway, the Cougars come at age and approaching their end of career. This is also indicated with a new project to look for a replacement helicopter for SOF tasks, possibly in combination with Germany.
Guardian Defender 2022
Nevertheless, knowing the plans that the Cougars and their amphibious capacity will disappear, the NH-90’s of 860 squadron based at Naval Air Station De Kooij, are now preparing to embed the amphibious task in their unit by 2024. For that reason, exercise “Guardian Defender 2022” was organised last February. During two weeks, two NH-90’s were deployed to Deelen Air Force Base to train together with SOF on land base operations. The NH-90’s dropped the SOF in “hostile” territory were they performed day and night operations before they were extracted by the helicopters to be dropped off at another location. During the intermediate days, the NH-90 performed replenishment flights in the area to bring in additional equipment and food to the SOF.
MASE
During the exercise Guardian Defender, the NH-90s were equipped with Modular Aircraft Survivability Equipment (MASE) protective systems which are essential during TNFH operations. Although the systems have been procured a few years ago from Terma, the NH-90s have been hardly seen in operations with these systems. MASE is a pod based system which contains an AN/ ALQ-213 Electronic Warfare Management System (EWMS). It provides protection against Infra-Red (IR) seeking missiles and when the sensors detect an incoming threat it can initiate a variety of counter measures including release of chaff and flares from its dispensers. The modularity of the system provides flexibility for the NH-90 operators for future updates and renewal of components. The NH-90 is mounted with two MASE pods, one on each side of the fuselage to provide a 360 degree covered protection. The pods give flexibility to operations as they only need to be attached when the mission requires and are interchangeable between the NH-90’s. It is expected that several exercises like Guardian Defender will be planned for further training of the NH-90 crews of 860 squadron, to take on the amphibious duties as planned per 2024.
Text and photos by Peter ten Berg