NATO partner nations launch Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability
Five NATO nations have signed up to develop a new medium class multirole helicopter under NATO's Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme.
Defence ministers from France, Germany, Greece, Italy and the UK have signed a Letter of Intent to begin developing a new medium class multirole helicopter under NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme.
Named as one of the alliance’s High Visibility Projects (HVP), partner nations will collaborate on NGRC to address helicopter modernisation needs in light of ‘a significant number’ of medium class multirole aircraft set to go out of service between 2035-2040.
‘The Next Generation Rotorcraft project aims to develop a solution for these upcoming requirements, leveraging a broad range of recent advances in technology, production methods, as well as operational concepts,’ NATO said in a 19 November statement.
‘Over the coming years, experts from all five nations will cover an exhaustive programme of work, starting with defining a robust Statement of Requirements and a multi-phase cooperation plan.’
From 2022 onward NATO expects partner nations to have signed off on a Memorandum of Understanding to start a concept phase with a timeline of 2035-2040 set for first deliveries of the next generation helicopter.
By opting for a NGRC ‘shared’ helicopter design, NATO wants to increase interoperability among allies.
Aircraft set for replacement include the AW101, UH-60 Black Hawk, Puma and NH90.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
