EADS Increases the Efficiency of Bundeswehr Helicopter Deployment

EADS, The German Federal Office of Defence Technology and Procurement (BWB) has placed the third tranche order worth more than EUR 40 million with EADS Defence & Security (DS) for the Operations Support System that prepares, plans and executes missions for the NH90 European transport helicopter. 
 
Thus, the German Armed Forces’ NH90 and Tiger helicopters will have the same software-based planning system for deployment and logistics with interfaces to the command and control systems of the German Armed Forces. This is a significant step in the direction of using a uniform operations support system for helicopters of the Army Aviation Corps and the Air Force. That also means that the helicopter systems will be interoperable with NATO systems. 
 
The German Armed Forces Operations Support System combines tactical operational command and control with technical logistic support for the UH Tiger and NH90 helicopters for the first time. The system increases the efficiency of flight and maintenance operations and enhances at the same time the deployment capabilities of the helicopters. Moreover, this planning system ensures that pilots and maintenance staff have much more operational flexibility. 
 
“As a result of this further partial order, the foundations have been laid for a cross-platform approach for operating the helicopters with German Armed Forces. This ensures that the German Armed Forces will also be capable of deploying their aircraft abroad,” commented Bernd Wenzler, CEO of Defence Electronics. “The commonality oriented product development of the EUA Operations Support System for the Tiger and NH90 makes us confident of being able to support other flying platforms used by the German Armed Forces as well.” 
 
In its final configuration, the EUA Operations Support System will cover the entire process cycle of a helicopter squadron – from receipt of command through complete tactical and technical mission planning up to evaluation and logistics – using one single planning system. As an integral part of network-centric operations, the EUA system makes it possible to connect the helicopter with its own command and control structures (C3I) via voice radio and radio data transmission. 
 
Furthermore, the system can also establish a connection with other information systems, such as specialist information systems for weather, maps, aeronautical information and air-traffic monitoring, offering the pilot additional valuable and up-to-date information. Apart from being linked to the Tiger and NH90 helicopters, the EUA will also be adapted for use with the CH-53 as of 2008. Further aircraft can be integrated at a low cost. Defence Electronics is also involved in developing the mission planning system for supporting A400M transport aircraft. 
 
Now that the EUA Operations Support System has been providing support for the training flight operations of the German Army Aviation School in Bückeburg, it is planned to deploy the EUA with the Fritzlar Army Air Corps in Spring 2008.  
 
Defence Electronics is an integrated Business Unit of EADS Defence & Security (DS). DS is a systems solutions provider combining military air systems, missile systems, communications and intelligence systems, global security solutions, sensor and avionics systems, as well as test and support solutions into a single effective network. In 2006, DS – with its around 23,000 employees – achieved revenues of EUR 5.9 billion. In 2006, EADS generated revenues of EUR 39.4 billion and employs a workforce of about 116,000.