The NH90 program, operated by NHIndustries, is a joint venture between Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo that began in 1995 and delivered its first helicopter in 2007. The twin-engine helicopter features fly-by-wire flight controls, useful load of 9,260 pounds, maximum speed of 162 knots, and range of 530 nm. It was designed to provide a European-made alternative to Sikorsky’s ubiquitous UH-60 Black Hawk.