Airbus and partners launch the next phase of ENGRT

Toulouse, France – 12 February 2026

Airbus Helicopters, together with its European partners, has officially launched the next phase of the European Next Generation Rotorcraft Technologies (ENGRT) program, a major initiative aimed at strengthening Europe’s strategic autonomy in rotary-wing technologies.

The ENGRT Phase II project, co-financed by the European Union, brings together a consortium of 12 nations to accelerate the development of critical technologies for next-generation helicopters. Airbus Helicopters and Leonardo Helicopters are acting as co-coordinators of the program, focusing on:

·        Optimizing rotorcraft architectures

·        Enhancing human-machine collaboration

·        Developing advanced assisted piloting interfaces powered by artificial intelligence

·        Integrating autonomous systems securely into operational platforms

The project is expected to last approximately three years, with a strong emphasis on performance, ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Reconnaissance) capabilities, tactical versatility, and compliance with future European defense requirements.

The ENGRT Phase II initiative aims to ensure that European rotary-wing systems remain at the forefront of technology, providing innovative solutions in speed, range, payload, intelligent interfaces, and autonomous capabilities.

Source: Airbus