NH90s: Defence Paper Questions Helicopter Lifespans... | Stuff.co.nz
The paper says there is a "medium" risk the "fatigue life modelling utilised by NHIndustries may not be accurate, and may not take the Defence Force's statement of operating intent into consideration".
It warned Defence might have to reduce either the annual available flying hours, or the desired 30-year lifespan.
The paper also revealed a "high" risk that some core equipment, including fuel tanks, chaff and flare dispensers, ballistic protection, liferafts, rope rappelling devices and machine-gun mounts, would not be ready before the choppers were handed over. Those delays would "prolong the time" it took for the NH90s to reach their "directed level of capability".