Marignane – Airbus Helicopters has been selected by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to spearhead a pivotal concept study under the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) project. This initiative, involving collaborative efforts for the design, development, and delivery of a new medium multi-role helicopter, marks a significant stride in enhancing NATO’s aerial capabilities.
In partnership with RTX’s Collins Aerospace, Raytheon businesses, and MBDA, Airbus will lead the 13-month study to explore two integrated concepts for next-generation military rotorcraft. This endeavor aims to leverage Airbus’s extensive experience with European armed forces to develop a European solution that meets NATO’s needs while ensuring industrial sovereignty and preserving key engineering skills.
“Participating in this NATO study provides a unique opportunity to capitalize on our experience with various European armed forces,” stated Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Our objective, alongside our skilled partners, is to create a concept that satisfies NATO armed forces’ requirements and guarantees industrial sovereignty for European nations, maintaining crucial engineering competencies. This project will be fully interoperable with other NATO systems. With our extensive experience in both civil and military helicopter design, we are confident in offering cost-effective, high-performance, and operationally efficient solutions for the next generation of military rotorcraft.”
NSPA General Manager, Stacy A. Cummings, emphasized the importance of this milestone: “The launch of Concept Study #5 is a critical step for the NGRC concept stage activities, reflecting NSPA’s commitment to meeting the next-generation medium lift challenge for participating nations. By awarding three parallel contracts through competition, we aim to maximize industry expertise and engagement, providing a broad range of potential concepts for our multinational customers.”
The NGRC project involves contributions from France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, and Italy, with each partner bringing expertise in areas such as helicopter design, systems integration, connectivity, weapons, avionics, and sensors. The study will focus on creating high-performance, modular, multi-mission rotorcraft that adhere to NATO standards with robust connectivity and communication systems.
Airbus Helicopters, a leading supplier of advanced military rotorcraft worldwide, is trusted by over 140 armed forces. The company’s diverse helicopter range includes dual platforms like the H225M and H145M, as well as specialized military helicopters such as the Tiger and NH90. Airbus also offers a variety of unmanned systems and is exploring the potential of manned-unmanned teaming. The company has a strong track record of uniting European and global partners to execute ambitious projects like the Next Generation Rotorcraft.
The NSPA, headquartered in Luxembourg with operational centers in France, Hungary, and Italy, is NATO’s primary organization for multinational acquisition, support, and sustainment across all domains. The Agency employs over 1,500 staff and manages more than 500 contractors globally.
