Home  /  About Us  /  Life Cycle Management  /  Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC)

Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC)

The NGRC is currently at the Concept Stage. The NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) is managing the initial concept studies for the current six NATO participants (France, Germany Greece, Italy, Netherlands, United Kingdom), which will soon become seven, after Canada officially joins before summer 2023. 

The Concept Stage will provide participating nations with some possible designs for NGRC, before tackling the development stage and the NGRC preliminary design review post-2025.

Vertical multi-role capabilities play a crucial role in the force structure of NATO Allies. Within this context, medium multi-role helicopters offer a large degree of versatility. Their operational use incorporates a wide range of missions, including tactical operations such as: insertion and extraction of Special Operation Forces (see also: MSAP initiative); transport of small and medium sized cargo and troops into, out of, and within operational theaters; medical evacuation; search and rescue; and anti-submarine warfare. Their size allows them to take-off and land in topographically restricted areas, such as forest glades or mountain ranges, adding to their operational flexibility.

The Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability High Visibility Project, is a multinational framework under which its participants can step-by-step decide to design, develop, and eventually acquire the next generation of medium multi-role rotorcraft capabilities. Allies, in cooperation with Industry, will explore how to match their needs with the latest technology on the market, looking at options such as hybrid and electric propulsion, a systematic open system architecture, and the delivery of radically improved flight characteristics.

NSPA provides this support to participating nations through its Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) Support Partnership.