The world's leading helicopter manufacturers are competing in NATO's bid for the military helicopter of the future. It will have to be an innovative, medium-weight machine with multi-mission capabilities, from troop transport to armed version. Six suitors are in the running. The favorites are Sikorsky, controlled by Lockheed Martin, Italy's Leonardo together with America's Bell, Airbus with a dozen subcontractors. Since three concept study projects will be chosen in the first phase, this - according to what the paper Sole 24 Ore writes - is the trio that should pass the round. The other three participants, in the role of outsiders, are Lithuanian firm Jetcopter, Canadian firm Bornea Dynamics and, according to rumors not officially confirmed, consulting firm Deloitte. Boeing did not submit. The competition, called NGRC (Next Generation Rotor Capability), was launched in early February. And on July 15 a decision is expected from the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA), which is expected to choose three proposals. For now, the figures are modest: each contract will be worth 5.7 million euros. But the potential deal is gigantic. Once the first phase is over, NATO will evaluate the designs and decide which product to focus on for the second phase. Because the new helicopter is intended to replace at least 500 aircraft in NATO countries from 2035-2040. According to the announcement, each helicopter will cost up to 35 million euros.
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