I think a distinction should be made between future expansion and combat proven. Given this date as the starting point and giving the NH-90 the benefit of the doubt both aircraft start even today. The NH-90 was designed as an alternative to the Blackhawk. As such it is constrained by many of the same design points as built into the Blackhawk 30 years ago. Right now the Blackhawk is ahead with millions of proven flight hours and an S-92 leading the way utilizing many potential Blackhawk upgrades. The new composite blades and the glass cockpit are just two examples. Once an NH-90 is run through a gauntlet similar to what the Blackhawk experienced in Grenada and flies out the other end with its crew in tact, only then it can be compared.
