Defense

Airbus to lead NATO study for next-generation military helicopters

European aerospace giant partners with RTX and MBDA for 13-month concept study

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Artist's rendering of a next generation military rotorcraft concept. (Photo: Airbus Helicopters)

Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a contract by the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) to lead a concept study for the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) project. The 13-month study aims to analyze two integrated concepts for next-generation military rotorcraft.

The project, which involves France, Germany, the United Kingdom, the United States, Ireland, and Italy, seeks to combine efforts in the design, development, and delivery of a medium multi-role helicopter. Airbus is partnering with RTX’s Collins Aerospace and Raytheon businesses, as well as MBDA, for the study.

Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, emphasized the significance of the project, stating, “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.”

Even added, “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.”

The study will focus on high-performance rotorcraft concepts that are modular, multi-mission, and fully interoperable with NATO standards. The designs are expected to feature a high degree of connectivity and resilient communication systems.

NSPA General Manager Stacy A. Cummings described the launch of this study as “a significant milestone for the NGRC concept stage activities.”

She explained that the strategy to launch three parallel contracts awarded by competition “delivers on our commitment to maximize industry expertise, opportunity and engagement in the program, and will provide a broad range of potential concepts in the study results for our multinational customers.”

Each partner company will contribute to the study in its area of expertise, including helicopter design, systems integration, connectivity, weapons and effectors, avionics, and sensors.

Airbus Helicopters, a major supplier of military rotorcraft globally, has a track record of working on ambitious projects and federating European and global players. The company’s experience spans both dual-use platforms like the H225M and H145M, as well as specialized military helicopters such as the Tiger and NH90.

The NSPA, headquartered in Luxembourg with operational centers in France, Hungary, and Italy, oversees multinational acquisition, support, and sustainment for NATO across all domains.

As the project moves forward, it will be closely watched by military aviation experts and defense analysts for its potential impact on future NATO capabilities and European defense industrial cooperation.

Written by
Dirk Andrei Salcedo

Dirk is the founder and editor-in-chief of Aviation Updates Philippines (AUP), a platform dedicated to providing the latest news and insights on the aviation industry in the Philippines. With a strong passion for aviation and a background in computer engineering, he manages all aspects of AUP, from website development to content curation.

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