Airbus to define next generation of European military helicopters
Airbus Helicopters will lead a study on European military rotorcraft needs beyond 2030. (Photo: Airbus Helicopters)
Airbus Helicopters has been selected to coordinate a European R&D programme looking at military rotorcraft operational needs post-2030, and is also leading on a study for a defence collaborative cloud.
Airbus has been contracted to coordinate two defence R&D projects under the European Defence Fund (EDF) initiative's 2021 funding round.
Among the 61 collaborative defence R&T and R&D projects that were selected last year and funded with €1.2 billion, Airbus Helicopters is coordinating the EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT), while Airbus Defence and Space is leading the European Defence Operational Collaborative Cloud (EDOCC) effort.
Contracts for these projects were signed in December 2022.
Related Articles
NATO member states join forces to multiply defence R&D
DARPA strives for the future helicopter pilot
Airbus joins UK efforts to defend against hypersonic threats
ENGRT will focus on analysing and understanding needs of European armed forces for rotorcraft operations after 2030. The project's partners will study concepts of operations and define technologies needed for future military rotorcraft. Alternative aircraft concepts and architectures will be explored, and this project will 'pave the way for the next generation of military rotorcraft in Europe', according to Airbus.
The EDOCC meanwhile will create a virtual platform to increase interoperability, efficiency and resiliency of military operations, strengthening collaborative services on the battlefield. The project will study, design and validate a virtual platform and develop a services catalogue while identifying standards and technologies for greater interoperability.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
EU Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies Project (ENGRT) - [COUNTRY]
More from Defence Notes
-
![Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes after a series of firsts]()
Australia’s Exercise Talisman Sabre concludes after a series of firsts
More than 40,000 military personnel from 19 participating nations took part in the 11th iteration of the biennial Exercise Talisman Sabre multi-domain event which was held across Australia and in Papua New Guinea.
-
![US Africa Command targets logistic solutions]()
US Africa Command targets logistic solutions
AFRICOM is seeking IT systems and supply chain management solutions to enhance interoperability and standardise logistical processes in its area of responsibility.
-
![Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending]()
Rheinmetall sales up by almost a quarter on wave of German spending
Germany’s Rheinmetall released its 1H 2025 results on 7 August, continuing the strong growth of recent years. A particular highlight of the result’s presentation was the Skyranger air defence system for which the company is predicting sales of about US$8.2 billion from the German Government before the end of the year.
-
![Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave]()
Defence companies continue to ride procurement wave
Vehicle and technology companies are reporting substantial growth compared to the first half of 2024. Italy’s Fincantieri saw revenues jump 24% for the first half of the year compared to 2024 and Thales up 6.8% for the same period. General Dynamics reported second quarter revenue growth of 8.9% for the second quarter compared to last year and MilDef reported organic order intake growth of 58%.
-
![Singapore plots a way forward with new technology and formation reform]()
Singapore plots a way forward with new technology and formation reform
Singapore spends about 3.5% of GDP on defence and the section’s budget sits on high on the proportion of national spending. The country is investing in uncrewed technology, medium- and long-range fires and new submarines and ships with the hunt also on for new maritime patrol aircraft.
-
![World Defense Show promises bigger and better event for 2026]()
World Defense Show promises bigger and better event for 2026
At this year's IDEF in Istanbul, Shephard spoke to World Defense Show (WDS) CEO Andrew Pearcey about his event's strategic role in Saudi Arabia, its themes and new features for 2026 and how it has grown since its launch in 2022.
