Airbus to Lead NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability Concept Study

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The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded a contract to Airbus Helicopters to lead a concept study in the frame of  the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) project under which the participants combine efforts to work on design, development and delivery of a medium multi-role helicopter. Airbus is partnering with RTX’s Collins Aerospace and Raytheon businesses and MBDA for the 13 month study which will analyse two integrated concepts of next generation military rotorcraft.

“Taking part in this NATO study for the next generation of military rotorcraft offers a unique opportunity to leverage our experience working with the different European armed forces,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Our goal, together with our highly skilled partners, is to develop a European solution, a concept that would fulfill both the needs of the NATO armed forces while also guaranteeing industrial sovereignty for our European nations and maintaining key engineering competencies,” he added. “This project will be fully interoperable with other NATO means. With our experience in both civil and military helicopter design, we are convinced that we have the right cost effective, high performance, and operationally efficient solutions at Airbus Helicopters for the next generation of military rotorcraft.”

NSPA General Manager, Ms Stacy A. Cummings, said: “The launch of Concept Study #5 is a significant milestone for the NGRC concept stage activities, and demonstrates NSPA’s dedication to meet the challenge of next generation medium lift for participating nations. The strategy to launch 3 parallel contracts awarded by competition delivers on our commitment to maximise industry expertise, opportunity and engagement in the programme, and will provide a broad range of potential concepts in the study results for our multinational customers.”

France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland and Italy are involved in the project via the different partner companies. Each partner will contribute to the study in its area of expertise: helicopter design, systems integration, connectivity, weapons and effectors, avionics and sensors. The study will focus on high performance rotorcraft. The concepts will be modular and multi-mission, and fully interoperable with NATO standards. with a high degree of connectivity and resilient communication system.

More than 140 armed forces worldwide place their trust in Airbus’ helicopters, making Airbus one of the world's largest suppliers of advanced military rotorcraft. Its broad range of helicopters comprises dual platforms (like the combat proven H225M and the H145M) and specialised military helicopters like the Tiger and the NH90. Airbus also offers a broad range of unmanned systems and is developing the potential provided by manned-unmanned teaming. Airbus has a strong track record in federating European and global players to deliver ambitious projects such as the Next Generation Rotorcraft. 

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) is NATO’s lead organisation for multinational acquisition, support and sustainment in all domains. NSPA is headquartered in the Grand Duchy of Luxembourg, with main operational centres in France, Hungary and Italy. The Agency employs over 1,500 staff and oversees more than 500 contractors worldwide.