At Leonardo’s Cascina Costa (Varese, Italy) site, the first ground run, with rotor testing, of the Next Generation Civil Tiltrotor (NGCTR) Technology Demonstrator (TD) took place. The next phase of the programme involves intensive testing in the coming months, with the aim of performing the first flight by the end of 2024 and then accumulating 200 flight hours to expand operational capabilities in helicopter and aircraft modes.
NGCTR’s Technology Demonstrator was built by Leonardo with the aim to design, develop and demonstrate in flight innovative tiltrotor technologies, paving the way for future product developments.
Using the AW609 fuselage, the NGCTR-TD incorporates technologies adaptable to possible future programmes and to industry development. These include an advanced wing architecture; an optimized V-Tail configuration that reduces trim drag; a non-tilting engine set-up, with a split gearbox, thus allowing a wider selection of engines and the avoidance of ground hot gas impingement and ground noise reduction; an advanced Fly-by-Wire Control that employs a modular, distributed, and scalable Flight Control System. Furthermore, an efficient nacelle architecture which minimises drag and improve control and reduces flapping in VTOL mode by a differential control of nacelle tilting.
Since its conception, the project has been driven by the need to develop technologies for cleaner skies within the VTOL (Vertical Take Off and Landing) domain. Cruising up to 280 kts – which is twice the speed of typical helicopters and closer to turboprop aircraft speeds – the NGTR-TD has reduced Co² emissions and noise, when compared with conventional helicopters of the same class.
Leonardo’s NGCTR Technology Demonstrator began life in 2015 as part of the part of Clean Sky 2, an EU-funded Initiative for the development and validation of aeronautical technologies that will improve environmental impact and enhance the European aerospace supply chain. After a first design and development phase, characterised by a System Engineering Technical Review process, assembly was completed in June 2024.
“the NGCTR-TD, the first clean-sheet European tiltrotor concept design in years, has enabled Leonardo to develop and test the core technologies needed to flight test a next generation high speed aircraft with long range and vertical take-off and landing capabilities.”
Massimo Biggi, Next Generation Fast Rotorcraft Programs Manager at Leonardo Helicopters
This initiative, part of the Clean Sky 2 project, is one of the key projects of the Leonardo’s Sustainability Plan. It is an important example of advanced mobility technologies combining improved performances and lower emissions, with a positive impact on citizen’s security.
