Nova Systems Norway, has been awarded a 2-year framework contract worth €15m by the Norwegian Armed Forces to support the NH90 maritime helicopter programme. The contract award, won through an open and competitive tender, signifies a significant expansion for Nova Norway, doubling the size of its Norwegian operations. Work will start in January 2020.
The NH90 is a medium-sized, twin-engine, multi-role military helicopter, developed in response to NATO requirements for a multiple capability helicopter. Although Norway has operated the NH90 from Coastguard ships in a SAR & surveillance role for a number of years, the Norwegian Naval Frigate Helicopter (NFH) variant of the NH90 is being introduced to further support the strategic requirement to patrol and protect Norwegian territorial waters from current and future threats, as well as contributing increased Anti- Submarine Warfare (ASW) capability to NATO forces and operations.
Although rotary wing ASW represents a new capability for the Royal Norwegian Air Force (RNoAF), it is a warfare domain that Nova possesses extensive experience drawing upon staff from Norway, the UK and Australia. Nova will initially provide an expert team of 10-12 operators, engineers and software specialists that will be fully embedded with RNoAF and Royal Norwegian Navy (RNoN) personnel at the new squadron building based at Haakonsvern Naval Base near Bergen (which accommodates both 334 Squadron and the NH90 OT & E Squadron). The Nova team has a wealth of operational ASW experience on maritime helicopters operating from ships and will be able to greatly assist in the accelerated delivery of an operational ASW capability.