# NATO Advances Rotorcraft Competition

The NATO Support and Procurement Agency issued the concept-design RFP for the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) on July 31, 2026. Boeing withdrew, leaving three competing concepts: Airbus Helicopters’ compound rotorcraft, Leonardo Helicopters and Bell’s tiltrotor, and Sikorsky’s coaxial compound design. The program is intended to replace approximately 900 medium-lift helicopters across six allied nations. Proposals are due in August 2027, a preferred design is expected by the end of 2027, and a development and production contract is targeted around 2030. The procurement calls for cruise speeds above 250 knots, open architecture, optional crewing, Manned-Unmanned Teaming support, and an operational radius exceeding 400 nautical miles.

- The stated unit-cost target is **€35 million per aircraft**; the approximately 900-aircraft fleet represents an estimated **$35 billion** at target price, before lifecycle and support costs.
- Prospective suppliers and subcontractors can use the concept competition to assess how their technologies address the speed, architecture, crewing, range, and lifecycle-cost requirements, while accounting for the technical risks associated with the competing designs.
- The August 2027 proposal deadline leaves time for teaming and concept development. Companies positioning for follow-on work should account for the expected end-of-2027 design selection and the development and production contract targeted around 2030.

**Jurisdictions:** international
**Industries:** Defense & Military
**Published:** October 07, 2026

### Government Entities
- NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA)
- North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO)

### Vendors
- Airbus Helicopters (Concept-design bidder proposing a compound rotorcraft)
- Leonardo Helicopters (Concept-design bidder in a consortium with Bell proposing a tiltrotor)
- Bell (Concept-design bidder in a consortium with Leonardo proposing a tiltrotor)
- Sikorsky (Concept-design bidder proposing an X2-based coaxial compound design)
- Boeing (Pre-qualified bidder that withdrew before submitting a concept-design proposal)

### Sources
- [Boeing Cannot Clear 250-Knot Aerodynamic Wall; NATO Picks From Three Unconventional Designs](https://www.techtimes.com/articles/328741/20261007/boeing-cannot-clear-250-knot-aerodynamic-wall-nato-picks-three-unconventional-designs.htm) - Tech Times