Writer

Charlotte Bailey

Airbus Helicopters has revealed two advanced rotorcraft designs it is pursuing for the ongoing NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capabilities (NGRC) initiative, complementing proposals being drawn up by rival OEMs Leonardo Helicopters and Sikorsky under the program’s Study 5 phase. Each company may present up to two solutions for evaluation before a draft request for proposal, planned for this May, is issued.
Of the two renderings published one is described by Airbus as a “high-performance conventional helicopter,” and the other, as a “novel high-speed compound concept.” The second appears to leverage the additional wings and propellers of Airbus’ <a href="https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/aerospace/2024-07-23/racer-passes-220-knot-target">Racer</a> (Rapid And Cost-Effective Rotorcraft) technology demonstrator, which reached 240 knots in level flight in April 2025. 
Nevertheless, Airbus stresses that its two concepts are “highly connected and will share commonalities in terms of maintenance, training, weapons and systems,” with “modularity and simplicity… core tenets of the Airbus NGRC proposal.”&nbsp;
Racer was launched in 2014 under the European Union's Clean Aviation Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking, with the primary aim of validating the aircraft’s novel hybrid compound architecture. In October 2025, Clean Aviation noted it had “multiple patents filed to support future applications in both military and civil markets,” including an ENGRT program to assess Racer’s architecture for “meeting specific military performance requirements.” &nbsp;
<h2>NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Requirements</h2>
In October 2020, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) launched the NGRC project as one of what it called 32 'high visibility projects' to address upcoming multi-role rotorcraft requirements. This included an initial in-service ambition of 2035-2040. &nbsp;Participating nations include France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands and the United Kingdom, with all but Greece “committed to identifying a single preferred solution for the replacement of these capabilities by the end of 2027,” explained NGRC.
Airbus Helicopters’ concepts build on the receipt of a July 2024 contract, which saw NSPA task the French airframer with leading a NGRC study. Collins Aerospace, Raytheon, and MDBA are also collaborating on Airbus’ concept studies.

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Airbus Reveals Two NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Studies

A pair of concept designs build on technologies from the X3 and Racer demonstrators 

Airbus Helicopters has revealed two advanced rotorcraft designs it is pursuing for the ongoing NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capabilities program.

Airbus Reveals Two Next Gen NATO Rotorcraft Studies

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

Buyers can opt for the new configuration that targets utility operators

R44 Utility Is Latest Robinson Iteration

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

New division encompasses heavy-lift drones and uncrewed helicopters

Robinson Expands into Uncrewed VTOL Market

Providers include GPMS, Outerlink, and Skurka Aerospace

R88 Progressing with More Supplier Selections

Upgraded rotorcraft delivers significantly improved performance

MD Helicopters Unveils 6-bladed MD 564 Utility Helicopter

Curt Epstein

The OEM looks to ramp up production on its 480B and 280FX models

After Long Pause, Enstrom Eyes New Deliveries

Company aims to begin deliveries in 2028

JCAB Agrees on SkyDrive General Certification Plan

Amy Wilder

News and developments about aircraft engines, including turbofan, turboprop, turboshaft and piston.

Engine maker also leads European PHARES propulsion consortium

P&WC: PioneerLab Hybrid Helo on Track, Demand Steady

Chad Trautvetter

News and issues about aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO), covering all segments of the aviation industry; and modifications for aircraft and engines. Subjects include product support of aircraft, engines and avionics, MRO company mergers, acquisitions, announcements and personnel, Airworthiness Directives, Supplemental Type Certificate approvals and other topics.

Verticon 2026

In this article

Airbus Helicopters

More In Rotorcraft