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ASE, Airbus as coordinator, Leonardo as co-leader launch together with 50 other partners the next phase of ENGRT
In the world of military aviation, “strategic autonomy” is more than a buzzword; it is a necessity for the next generation of defence. Following the completion of the first phase of the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) project, Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo Helicopters have officially kicked off ENGRT II.
This three-year project, co-funded by the European Union, represents a decisive transition. “We are stepping up after the first phase of the project, transitioning from a Research and Technology project into a Research and Development project,” says Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “More than ever we must ensure that our home nations can operate the most advanced technologies now and in the future.”
A consortium of twelve nations
The scale of ENGRT II is reflected in its backing. Supported by 12 EU Member States, including Austria, Belgium, Denmark, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Italy, Latvia, Netherlands, Poland and Spain, the project aims to mature critical technologies required to protect Europe in highly contested environments. Airbus Helicopters leads and coordinates a 53-member consortium of industrial and institutional partners, with Leonardo serving as co-lead. This network spans major defence contractors to specialised Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), ensuring the project draws from the full breadth of the European technological and industrial base.
ASE, representing Italy, plays a pivotal role in the consortium through its contribution to Electrical Power Generation and Distribution Systems. Focused on high-performance electrical machines and smart power management units, ASE brings specialized expertise to the project, contributing directly to the advancement of more electric aircraft (MEA) architectures for the next generation of European military rotorcraft.
Advanced architectural concepts
At the heart of the project is a rigorous exploration of architectural concepts designed to define the future of European vertical lift. The ENGRT II project is dedicated to optimising the critical physical trade-offs between speed, range, and payload by exploring two primary configurations. These include the compound rotorcraft, derived from the Airbus Helicopters Racer demonstrator, and the tilt-rotor configuration led by Leonardo. By analysing these distinct architectures, the project seeks to find the ideal balance of performance required for future operational challenges, ensuring that the European industry remains at the cutting edge of vertical flight technology.
Digital superiority: AI and collaborative teaming
Beyond physical architecture, the initiative focuses on a comprehensive suite of military capabilities designed to meet future operational challenges by prioritising key research pillars. To optimise pilot performance, the project will develop cognitive cockpits and AI-driven interfaces that heighten situational awareness while reducing mental workload.
The initiative will also mature crewed-uncrewed teaming to ensure the seamless integration of crew platforms with autonomous systems, all while maintaining secure, resilient cyber-communications for operating within highly contested and electronically jammed environments. Heavy emphasis will also be placed on integrated logistic support to ensure high fleet reliability and availability, a necessity for maintaining operational readiness even when platforms are deployed in dispersed or austere environments.
Looking toward the 2040 horizon
The roadmap for ENGRT II is firmly set on long-term operational needs, specifically targeting the replacement and complement of current military fleets after 2040. By maturing these technologies today, the project ensures that European armed forces will have access to the most advanced vertical lift capabilities when they are needed most. This 2040 horizon acts as a guiding timeline for the industry, ensuring that the research conducted now translates into the tangible, high-performance military assets of the future.
