New Chinook engine offers advantages for future operations (Studio)
A new engine for the CH-47 Chinook will significantly increase the capabilities of the helicopter, allowing it to meet future operational needs head on.
NATO partner nations launch Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability
Five NATO nations have signed up to develop a new medium class multirole helicopter under NATO's Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme.
Defence ministers from France, Germany, Greece, Italy and the UK have signed a Letter of Intent to begin developing a new medium class multirole helicopter under NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme.
Named as one of the alliance’s High Visibility Projects (HVP), partner nations will collaborate on NGRC to address helicopter modernisation needs in light of ‘a significant number’ of medium class multirole aircraft set to go out of service between 2035-2040.
‘The Next Generation Rotorcraft project aims to develop a solution for these upcoming requirements, leveraging a broad range of recent advances in technology, production methods, as well as operational concepts,’ NATO said in a 19 November statement.
‘Over the coming years, experts from all five nations will cover an exhaustive programme of work, starting with defining a robust Statement of Requirements and a multi-phase cooperation plan.’
From 2022 onward NATO expects partner nations to have signed off on a Memorandum of Understanding to start a concept phase with a timeline of 2035-2040 set for first deliveries of the next generation helicopter.
By opting for a NGRC ‘shared’ helicopter design, NATO wants to increase interoperability among allies.
Aircraft set for replacement include the AW101, UH-60 Black Hawk, Puma and NH90.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![New Chinook engine offers advantages for future operations (Studio)]()
-
![Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E1 - The Search and Rescue Mission]()
Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E1 - The Search and Rescue Mission
In this episode, we'll hear from industry experts and helicopter operators about the rise of the helicopter as a search and rescue machine, and how they're saving lives today.
-
![Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E2: The Lifesaving Helicopter]()
Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E2: The Lifesaving Helicopter
The helicopter offers clear advantages for emergency medical services, but just how did an industry evolve to fill this life-saving role?
-
![Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E3: Airborne Law Enforcement]()
Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E3: Airborne Law Enforcement
Law enforcement agencies around the world use the helicopter as an essential crime-fighting tool.
-
![Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E4 - The Utility of the Helicopter]()
Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E4 - The Utility of the Helicopter
The helicopter has become an essential tool for militaries, parapublic agencies and emergency services. But its unique characteristics have also ensured a vital role for the helicopter across a myriad of commercial activities.
-
![Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E5 - Providing Disaster Relief]()
Podcast: Revolutions in Vertical Flight S2 E5 - Providing Disaster Relief
Helicopters provide vital assistance during disaster relief operations such as firefighting and earthquake response. But how do pilots prepare for these toughest of missions?
