NATO Selects Sikorsky X2 Rotorcraft for Integrated Platform Concept Study

Dark/Light Mode (29/07/24)  The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) has awarded Lockheed Martin Sikorsky a contract to study integrated platform concepts that could fulfill NATO’s next generation rotorcraft requirements through the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) program.

“Sikorsky is ready to design a rotorcraft prototype for NATO’s NGRC concept study to support defense and deterrence for an ever-changing global environment. Years of investment and rigorous flight testing with multiple X2 technology demonstrators have proven its ability to change the future airspace,” said Andy Adams, Vice President of Sikorsky Future Vertical Lift. “Our X2 aircraft will bring to bear the strengths of Lockheed Martin along with input from our European Industry Group, such as digital thread, advanced manufacturing, sustainment, training, and weapon and mission system development, to provide NATO with an integrated rotorcraft system that combines speed, range, maneuverability, survivability and operational flexibility.”

Lockheed Martin Sikorsky X2 NGRC

Lockheed Martin Sikorsky’s European Industry Group includes Tier-1 aerospace suppliers, such as BAE Systems, ELT Group, ESG Elektroniksystem-und Logistik GmbH, GE Aerospace, Hellenic Aerospace Industry, Kongsberg, Liebherr-Aerospace Lindenberg GmbH, MAGroup, Malloy Aeronautics, SAFRAN, Rheinmetall and TERMA.

The industry group will provide input as to how their military products can support the X2 integrated platform concept approach to advance NATO’s capabilities and provide a next generation rotorcraft solution.

Sikorsky’s X2 aircraft are the result of more than $1 billion invested and 15 years of testing and flying. The S-97 RAIDER technology demonstrator’s rigorous flight test program continues to provide critical data that correlates to a virtual prototype and enables Sikorsky to experiment with the unique capabilities that X2 Technology rotorcraft can provide.

“The launch of Concept Study #5 is a significant milestone for the NGRC concept stage activities, and demonstrates NSPA’s dedication to meet the challenge of next generation medium lift for Participating Nations,” said NSPA General Manager, Stacy A. Cummings. “The strategy to launch 3 parallel contracts awarded by competition delivers on our commitment to maximise industry expertise, opportunity and engagement in the programme, and will provide a broad range of potential concepts in the study results for our multinational customers.”

The NGRC program initiative began in 2022 and includes Canada, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Netherlands and the United Kingdom, with the United States and Spain currently acting as observers.

Under the NGRC program, NATO is aiming to develop a medium-class, multi-role rotorcraft that could replace medium multi-role helicopters currently in service.

Latest exclusive video interviews: Future of Air Travel - Interview with Sumesh Patel, President of SITA Asia Pacific; Miss International Queen 2024 (MIQ 2024) - Interview with Alisa Phanthusak, MD, Tiffany's Show Pattaya, Thailand; 16 HD Video Interviews from Routes Europe 2024 in Aarhus, Denmark; 9 HD Video Interviews from Routes Asia 2024 in Langkawi, Malaysia; Standard to Open Residences in Hua Hin and Phuket, Thailand; Video Interview with Amar Lalvani, Executive Chairman; 9 Exclusive Video Interviews from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 8 NTO Press Conferences from ASEAN Tourism Forum 2024 in Vientiane, Laos; 13 HD Video Interviews from World Travel Market 2023 in London, England; 5 HD Video Interviews from APG World Connect 2023 in Monaco, France; and 15 HD Video Interviews from Routes World 2023 in Istanbul, Türkiye.