NATO partner nations launch Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability
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
-
Leonardo wins Canadian helicopter upgrade programme
The upgrade contract will ensure that the Candian helicopters are compliant with future technological requirements.
-
Guatemala receives Bell Subaru helicopters
The latest version of the Bell 412 helicopter has improved performance and weight capacity and will support Guatemala in various missions.
-
Algeria expresses interest in AW249 while AW139 deal remains in limbo
Leonardo and Algeria hope to seal the AW139 deal in 2023 while Italy and the North African country further strengthen defence ties.
-
Nigeria to receive new attack helicopters
The Nigerian Air Force is to receive more than 50 attack air assets to strengthen its ability to fight insecurity within its borders.
-
Royal Navy upgrades Merlin helicopters
The Royal Navy's amphibious helicopters have received an improved defensive aid suit and Merlin pilots can now train in a synthetic training environment.
-
Italian Army takes its final NH90 helicopter on order
NHIndustries and Leonardo have completed deliveries of NH90 TTH helicopters to the Italian Army.