The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), in collaboration with GE Aerospace (NYSE GE), have successfully completed the first of five studies focused on Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC). This milestone marks a significant step towards the design and development of a next generation of medium multi-role rotorcraft for NATO nations. In December 2023, NSPA announced the contract study award to GE Aerospace, with work performed by its Defense & Systems organization (USA) and Avio Aero (IT). The Powerplant Study represents a strategic initiative to identify, evaluate, and compare innovative solutions capable of meeting the NGRC capability requirement. The study findings will equip NSPA with critical insights into the Powerplant domain, providing invaluable support for the assessment of future integrated platform design concepts.
The finalization of the study proves the effective governance mechanism used by NGRC Support Partnership Nations and highlights the Programme’s commitment to address customer requirements efficiently. A significant amount of the medium multi-role assets currently in service across NATO Allies will reach the end of their life cycle in the 2035-40 period and beyond, with the subsequent need for replacements. These existing inventories are all based on designs dating back to the previous century. The aim of NSPA’s NGRC programme is to respond to this upcoming requirement, in a timely and cost-effective manner, while concurrently leveraging a broad range of recent advances in technology, production methods, and operational concepts.
“The NGRC Novel Powerplant final presentation event is a significant milestone in the NGRC Programme as the first Concept Study by industry comes to an end.The study has been a success thanks to the close collaboration and cooperation between NSPA and our study partner, GE Aerospace, and a willingness from GE Aerospace to openly share and discuss intermediate results and take our guidance into account as the study matured. The study results provide valuable knowledge and understanding as we head deeper into exploring potential NGRC concepts through the subsequent platform studies,”Mr Kevin Luxford, NSPA NGRC principal officer said.
We are proud to support NATO NSPA in this groundbreaking initiative.Our study provides valuable insights into the capabilities of various powerplant options, bringing us closer to realizing the future of NATO’s next-generation, multi-capable helicopter,” Mr John Martin, Director of Turboshaft Advanced Programs GE Aerospace said.
The contract study was awarded to GE Aerospace, with work performed by its Defense & Systems organization (USA) and Avio Aero (IT). This milestone achievement follows a stringent open competition, placing significant emphasis on technical excellence, accounting for 80% of the evaluation criteria. The primary objectives of this study encompass the identification of Novel Powerplant concepts aligned with NGRC specifications, the assessment of their Technology Readiness Levels, and a holistic comparative analysis encompassing capability, logistics, reliability, maintainability, safety, supportability, cost, and environmental considerations, specifically tailored for defense contexts. This achievement confirms the effective governance exhibited by Participating Nations of the NGRC Support Partnership and underscores the Program Office’s commitment to professionalism, operational efficiency, and dedication to customer satisfaction.
