GA-ATS Installs New Dock for NH90 Maintenance

GA-ATS Enhances NH90 Maintenance Capabilities with New Dock Installation

General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) is set to expand its NH90 helicopter maintenance operations at Oberpfaffenhofen Special Airport, reinforcing its support for the German Armed Forces. Starting in early 2026, the company will commission a sixth maintenance dock within its NH90 hangar, significantly increasing its capacity to address the growing demand for military helicopter maintenance services.

Expanding Maintenance Infrastructure and Expertise

As a certified DEMAR 145 maintenance organisation, GA-ATS has been responsible for the upkeep of the German military’s NH90 fleet since 2018, servicing both the Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and Naval Transport Helicopter (NTH) variants. The company offers a comprehensive suite of maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, encompassing scheduled and unscheduled maintenance, functionality testing, fly-in support, and component overhauls.

The addition of the sixth dock reflects GA-ATS’s enduring commitment to the Bundeswehr and underscores its extensive expertise in military helicopter maintenance—a tradition that dates back to 1967 with the Bell UH-1D and has continued through to 2021. Florian Rohe, Managing Director of GA-ATS, described the expansion as a strategic investment that strengthens the company’s position as a trusted maintenance provider for military aircraft. He emphasized that the move also reaffirms GA-ATS’s dedication not only to NH90 maintenance but also to supporting the Do228 aircraft, which the company manufactures.

Responding to Market Demand and Workforce Growth

This expansion arrives amid rising demand for NH90 maintenance, with industry analysts noting that GA-ATS’s increased capacity may present challenges for competitors. The market is anticipated to respond with greater interest in similar services, potentially prompting rival firms to consider enhancements to their workforce and facilities to maintain competitiveness.

In conjunction with the infrastructure upgrade, GA-ATS is actively recruiting at its Oberpfaffenhofen site to support the expanded operations. The company seeks certified aircraft mechanics, planners, avionics technicians, and certifying staff (CAT B1.3 and CAT B2) to join its growing team. Albert Meisinger, Head of NH90 MRO, highlighted the consistent quality of the NH90 team’s work and expressed the company’s commitment to attracting new colleagues to sustain its growth.

Through this latest investment, GA-ATS solidifies its role as a key partner to the German Armed Forces and establishes a new standard for capacity and capability within the military helicopter maintenance sector.