Airbus Will Pursue Compound Rotorcraft Approach For NATO Requirement

Airbus Helicopters will pursue a high-speed compound rotorcraft concept for NATO's Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability requirement, drawing on flight testing of its Racer demonstrator. The configuration combines a main rotor with wings and propellers to expand the speed and flight envelope beyond a conventional helicopter design. Airbus is one of four manufacturers prequalified for the next NGRC phase and is developing its proposal with Collins Aerospace, Raytheon and MBDA. Earlier Airbus studies included both conventional and compound concepts with shared systems, training and maintenance features, but the latest announcement concerns a proposed architecture rather than a selected NATO aircraft.