Elbe Flugzeugwerke GmbH (EFW) has recently delivered the seventh NH90 helicopter completed since the start of the maintenance programme for these Bundeswehr transport helicopters in Dresden. EFW is carrying out the maintenance work as a subcontractor of Airbus Helicopters Deutschland GmbH (AHD) and is one of the first to be approved as a military maintenance organisation under the new DEMAR-145 regulations in Germany.
Over the past two years, EFW has worked to expand NH90 maintenance capabilities and optimise turnaround times. Four NH90s were delivered in 2022, and three of the transport helicopters were handed over to the German Army in the first half of 2023. In addition to deliveries to the Army, deliveries from Dresden were also made to the International Helicopter Training Centre in Bückeburg. The lead time was significantly reduced, especially with the most recent maintenance and delivery of the seventh NH90.
“With the maintenance of helicopters, we at EFW have taken on a new challenge,” said the EFW NH90 Programme Manager, “In doing so, a highly qualified and motivated team is available for the NH90 and we are constantly improving. The team is proud to support the Bundeswehr in the maintenance of this high-tech product.”
The modern fly-by-wire helicopters with monocoque airframes are mainly maintained in Dresden on a planned basis. The NH90s are largely dismantled upon arrival. After inspection and cleaning, components and main components such as gearboxes and landing gears are repaired in the EFW workshops. In addition to the planned maintenance, repairs and troubleshooting as well as technical modifications are carried out on an as-needed basis.
