The NH-He van der Waals complex was characterized via laser excitation of bands associated with the NH A (3)Pi-X (3)Sigma(-) transition. It was demonstrated that the ground state supports a bound level with a rotational constant of B'=0.334(2) cm-1. These results are in agreement with the predictions of recent high-level theoretical calculations. Spin-orbit predissociation of the excited complex was observed, and the spectra yield insights regarding the NH(A)+He potential energy surfaces. (C) 2004 American Institute of Physics.