Leonardo, NATO's super helicopter tender in its final rush
Six contenders in the race: the Italian group teaming up with the American Bell
3' min read
Key points
3' min read
The world's leading helicopter manufacturers are competing in NATO's bid for the military helicopter of the future. It will have to be an innovative, medium-weight machine with multi-mission capability, from troop transport to armed version.
There are six suitors in the running. The favourites are Sikorsky, controlled by Lockheed Martin, Leonardo together with the American Bell, Airbus with a dozen subcontractors. As three concept study projects will be chosen in the first phase, this is the trio that should pass the round.
The other three participants, in the role of outsiders, are the Lithuanian company Jetcopter, the Canadian company Bornea Dynamics and, according to rumours not officially confirmed, the consulting firm Deloitte. Boeing did not present itself.
The Times
.The tender, called Ngrc ('Next generation rotor capability'), was launched in early February. And on 15 July the Nato support and procurement agency (Nspa) is expected to decide on three proposals. Each selected group will be awarded a study contract to develop a 'concept', including aircraft design, description of technology, maintenance, logistics and a cost forecast for the aircraft. In this first phase, lasting 15 months, a prototype is not yet required.
The numbers
.Each contract will be worth EUR 5.7 million. Once the first phase is over, NATO will evaluate the projects and decide which product to focus on for the second phase. For now, the figures are modest. But the potential business is gigantic. Because the new helicopter is destined to replace at least 500 aircraft in NATO countries from 2035-2040. According to the tender, each helicopter is not to cost more than 35 million euros.
