Airbus pitches 2 helicopter designs for NATO's 2035 fleet replacement

Airbus Helicopters has presented two distinct next-generation rotorcraft designs to support NATO’s plan to modernize its medium-lift helicopter fleet by the 2030s under the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) program. The NGRC aims to replace aging helicopters like the NHIndustries NH90, targeting aircraft with a range exceeding 900 nautical miles, cruise speeds near 220 knots, the capacity to carry 12-16 combat troops or about four tonnes of payload, and a fly-away cost around €35 million. Additionally, the new rotorcraft must incorporate pilot-optional autonomy or remote piloting capabilities. Airbus received a contract in July 2024 from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency to lead early design studies and collaborate with allied partners. Airbus’s two proposals reflect different technological approaches. The first is a modernized conventional helicopter emphasizing reliability, cost-efficiency, ease of maintenance in austere environments, reduced acoustic signature, and enhanced safety features such as an innovative anti-torque