'Next generation' as a term gets applied rather loosely - but in the case of future rotorcraft, this is worth watching. If you consider the technology pathways available, there look to be three ways to squeeze out more speed/range (on top of upgrades and life extensions for legacy technology - which largely preserve the status quo): - Tiltrotor (Bell) - Co-axial rotor (Sikorsky X2 concept) - Hybrid with Pusher prop (Airbus Racer X3 concept) Boeing and Bell partnered during the 1990s to produce the Osprey as a military tiltrotor, and Bell has leveraged the experience of some 700,000 flying hours to develop the V-280, winning FLRAA in Dec 2022. Bell also partnered with Leonardo (then Agusta) in the late 1990s to produce the AW609 commercial tiltrotor, which is now nearing certification. Leonardo has already designed a V-280-like concept for their Next Generation Civilian Tiltrotor (NGCTR) program. It makes sense to look together at future opportunities. Why are these pathways important? Because from the mid-2030s, most of the global military rotorcraft fleet will approach obsolesence. US Army have chosen a tiltrotor future in FLRAA, to be fielded from 2030. USN and USMC have yet to define future roadmaps. USN options are being considered under the FVL-Maritime Strike program, which is expected to report in about 2025, with a 'family of systems' approach as a mix of manned/unmanned rotorcraft. In Europe, the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) is a 7-member NATO study launched in 2020 and led by UK to determine a replacement with 'vastly improved flight characteristics', including 180KIAS cruise or higher. IOC target is 2035-40. In essence, they're running about a decade behind FLRAA. Europe is also host to the Next Gen Medium Helicopter (NGMH) program, as a cooperation between four EU members, led by France. This builds on an Airbus/Leonardo ENGRT study which examined future technologies and concepts. Whilst a late starter (launched in 2023), NGMH may yet lean towards an existing Airbus solution, the Racer X3 having debuted at Paris in 2017. None of the above is clear cut, and some members are participating in multiple programs as options and pathways become more defined. Some NGRC members (UK, NLD) also have MOUs with US Army for FVL. Also not to be confused with the UK NMH program, which tenders are currently being evaluated, as a 'gap filler' pending maturation of the programs above. And then there is the HSVTOL program...
#HAIExpo24: Bell is pleased to announce the signing of a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) with Leonardo Helicopters to evaluate cooperation opportunities in the tiltrotor technology domain. “This cooperative effort between Bell and Leonardo reflects our shared vision that next generation rotorcraft will be influenced by the speed, range and maneuverability only tiltrotor technology can deliver." - Lisa Atherton, president and CEO
Helicopter Mission Systems - Business Development & Training
7moGreg Elliott You know what I’m thinking, Greg 🤩