Airbus to define next generation of European military helicopters
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.
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.
More from Defence Notes
-
US lawmakers warn that “more military spending is absolutely necessary” to ensure Pentagon’s readiness
The US Congress has raised concerns about how inflation rates and cuts in main acquisition programmes could affect the US military.
-
Can the US overcome Russian and Chinese nuclear capabilities?
Washington’s ageing inventory and the pace Moscow and Beijing have been modernising their capabilities put in check the US Nuclear deterrence.
-
US FY2024 funding package passes as China closes military capability gap
The Pentagon has been operating under temporary funding since October 2023, which has impacted its main acquisition and development programmes, increasing the capability gap between the US and China.
-
NATO outlines future challenges as Ukrainian funding from US stalls
In 2023, defence spending increased by an unprecedented 11% across European NATO countries and Canada. Since 2014, the group has spent an additional US$600 billion on defence.
-
US Pentagon to reduce investments in main acquisition programmes over FY2025
The DoD requested nearly US$850 billion to fund operations over the next fiscal year. Despite the amount being 1% higher than the FY2024 budget request, it has not covered the 3% inflation rate, which could impact the DoD’s main programmes in the medium and long term.
-
Haiti crisis forces Caribbean militaries to prepare for intervention
As gangs gain control of Port-au-Prince, Haiti’s Caribbean neighbours have been preparing to intervene in the failed state, with the US and other partners waiting in the wings with equipment and financial support.