Two NH90 helicopters belonging to the Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF), each carrying two 1,100-lb external fuel tanks, completed a record-breaking two-day flight from Australia to New Zealand.
The helicopters took off from Amberley Royal Australian Air Force Base near Brisbane and flew a total of 1,765 miles (approximately 2,840 kilometers) over water via Norfolk Island to the RNZAF Auckland Base. The longest uninterrupted leg of the journey, spanning 660 miles, took approximately four and a half hours.
Both helicopters, assigned to the 3rd Squadron, landed safely at the RNZAF Ohakea Base on September 30. This flight broke the previous over-water recordset by RNZAF NH90s at the end of last month, when they flew 521 miles over the Coral Sea Basin between Australia and Papua New Guinea .
Increased Capability and Confidence
New Zealand Air Force Commander Air Commodore Andy Scott emphasized the importance of this long-range flight. Scott noted that the flight was critical in demonstrating the helicopter’s versatility and its ability to deploy autonomously over a wide area:
“Flights like this boost our crew’s confidence in the system.”
Wing Commander Chris Ross, the fleet commander, described the flight as a “remarkable achievement,” noting that it provided the crew with a valuable opportunity to gain long-range flight skills.
NH90 Flight Commander and Squadron Commander Lachie Johnston said this marathon flight had been long-awaited and that, although this capability was approved in 2023, the opportunity had not arisen until this year. Johnston said, “We knew the aircraft was capable of doing this and that the crew was properly trained,” and added:
“It’s not unheard of for helicopters to cover long distances, but in the context of covering such long distances over large bodies of water, this is a unique capability.”
The RNZAF selected the European-designed NH90 in 2005 to replace its UH-1 Iroquois helicopters. Eight of these helicopters have been in active service since 2015, while the ninth serves as a reserve.
