Lockheed Martin Sikorsky Wins NGRC Contract for NATO's Future Rotorcraft Program.

During the Farnborough International Airshow on July 26, 2024, the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) awarded Lockheed Martin Sikorsky a contract to study integrated platform concepts aimed at meeting NATO's next-generation rotorcraft requirements under its Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) program.
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Lockheed Martin Sikorsky’s X2 rotorcraft provides an integrated rotorcraft system enabling commanders and aviators with multi-domain operations required to deter ever-evolving threats. (Picture source: Lockheed Martin Sikorsky)

Andy Adams, vice president of Sikorsky Future Vertical Lift, stated the company's intent to design a rotorcraft prototype for NATO's NGRC concept study. He noted that years of investment and rigorous flight testing with various X2 technology demonstrators have proven their potential to transform future airspace. Adams emphasized that the X2 aircraft would benefit from Lockheed Martin's capabilities and the contributions of their European Industry Group, which includes advanced manufacturing, sustainment, training, and development of weapons and mission systems, thereby providing a rotorcraft system that integrates speed, range, maneuverability, survivability, and operational flexibility.

The European Industry Group supporting Lockheed Martin Sikorsky consists of leading 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. These partners will offer insights into how their military products can enhance the X2 integrated platform concept, thereby advancing NATO's capabilities and delivering a next-generation rotorcraft solution.

Sikorsky's X2 rotorcraft technology, with over $1 billion invested and 15 years of testing, is demonstrating its mission relevance. The ongoing rigorous flight test program of the S-97 RAIDER technology demonstrator continues to provide crucial data that correlates to a virtual prototype, allowing Sikorsky to explore the unique capabilities that an X2 Technology rotorcraft can offer.

NSPA General Manager, Stacy A. Cummings, highlighted the importance of Concept Study #5 as a significant milestone in the NGRC concept stage activities. She stated that launching three parallel contracts through competitive awards reflects NSPA's commitment to maximizing industry expertise, opportunities, and engagement in the program. This strategy aims to provide a broad range of potential concepts in the study results for NATO's multinational customers.

Initiated in 2022, the NGRC program includes participation from France, Germany, Greece, Italy, the Netherlands, the United Kingdom, and Canada, with the United States and Spain currently acting as observers. NATO aims to develop a medium-class, multi-role rotorcraft to replace the medium multi-role helicopters currently in service. Through its dedicated NGRC Support Partnership, NSPA aims to meet this upcoming requirement in a timely and cost-effective manner, while leveraging recent advances in technology, production methods, and operational concepts.