Airbus and Leonardo have launched the second phase of the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies project, a three-year effort co-funded by the European Union to mature critical technologies for future military vertical lift platforms.
European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) II, which was originally announced last May, is supported by 12 EU member states and coordinated by a 53-member consortium of industrial and institutional partners, with Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo as co-leads. The consortium spans major defense contractors to specialized small and medium enterprises.
“We are stepping up after the first phase of the project, transitioning from a research and technology project into a tesearch and development project,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “More than ever we must ensure that our home nations can operate the most advanced technologies now and in the future.”
The project will explore two primary configurations to optimize trade-offs between speed, range and payload. These include a compound rotorcraft derived from the Airbus Helicopters Racer demonstrator, and a tilt-rotor configuration led by Leonardo.
Beyond airframe architecture, ENGRT II will develop cognitive cockpits and AI-driven interfaces to enhance situational awareness, mature crewed-uncrewed teaming capabilities, and advance secure communications for electronically contested environments.
The program targets replacement and complement of current European military rotorcraft fleets after 2040.
