Lockheed Martin has pointed to technology in its X2 demonstrator as offering an NGRC solution. (Photo: Lockheed Martin)
Airbus Helicopters, Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky and Leonardo have been awarded contracts by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to undertake concept studies for the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme.
According to a statement from the NSPA, “the contracts will provide perspectives on potential platform concepts aiming to identify and exploit cutting-edge technologies to meet operational and supportability capabilities.”
The statement continued: “They will also seek innovation in digital design and development processes and advanced materials and manufacturing.”
The 13-month studies are an acknowledgement of ageing medium multirole helicopter fleets across NATO with a significant number reaching the end of their life cycle in the 2035-40 period, with many based on designs dating back to the previous century.
Airbus outlined the companies it is partnering with in the programme, notably RTX’s Collins Aerospace and Raytheon businesses and MBDA, and Lockheed Martin has teamed up with a broad pan-European consortium of BAE Systems, Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Kongsberg, Safran, Rheinmetall and Terma.
Lockheed Martin pointed to its X2 rotorcraft as a new generation of technology while Leonardo has already teamed with Bell Helicopter and will push forward the tiltrotor V-280 Valor which is expected to reach Milestone B shortly under the US Army’s Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) programme.
NGRC will replace a range of helicopters such as AW101s, UH-60 Black Hawks, Super Pumas and NH90s and while the UK had originally been on board that country is pushing ahead with its New Medium Helicopter programme.
EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) - (Italy)
EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) - (Greece)
The first representative Eurofighter Typhoon flew in 1994 and entered operational service in 2003. Two decades later the company is working to ensure the platform’s relevance beyond the middle of the century.
The KC-390 demonstrator was en route to Brazil after a display at the Farnborough Airshow in the UK.
The delivery would mark an end to long delays in the programme with additional aircraft expected through to 2027.
Boeing has seen a renewed demand for the Apache attack helicopter with Poland and Australia becoming customers, while India, the UK, the US, the Netherlands and Egypt have also bought new aircraft or upgraded platforms.
Under mostly clear skies, a couple of showers and the roar of the newest variant of Boeing’s venerable F-15, there was a lot of talk at Farnborough International Airshow 2024 about how to make supply chains stronger in the face of high demands and a lingering post-Covid pandemic effect.
Greece has signed an offer for 20 F-35 aircraft with an option on 20 more platforms.
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