NATO Drops Boeing From NGRC Helicopter Contest Over 250-Knot Requirement

NATO's NGRC program requires cruise speeds above 250 knots, which conventional helicopters cannot reach due to retreating blade stall. Boeing has declined to submit a concept design, leaving Airbus with a compound rotorcraft, Leonardo and Bell with a tiltrotor, and Sikorsky in the race.

• NGRC mandate calls for cruise speeds above 250 knots (288 mph)
• Boeing has no mature compound or tiltrotor design and exited the contest
• Airbus proposes a compound design based on its RACER demonstrator, which hit 240 knots
• Leonardo and Bell offer a tiltrotor concept derived from the V-280 Valor