Why Europe needs to build a heavy lift helicopter

 *Note: this was writen before the war on Ukraine*

Europe, birthplace of many wonderful helicopter designs. They have made mainly transport helicopters and while their light and medium sized helicopters are selling well, there is one type they made once and never again. I'm ofcourse talking about the heavy helicopter class wich contains helicopters like the Mil Mi-26 and Boeing CH-47 but also one from France called the Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon. The Super Frelon is the only heavy helicopter made in Europe, as long as you don't consider Russia as part of Europe. But now I'm here to say that France, along with some other European friends, should start making a new heavy helicopter.

(Finabel also wrote a great piece about this topic, link at the bottom)

Technology

Building a new helicopter comes with a lot of opportunities. One of those opportunities is developing new technology. Because a new aircraft design can fully benefit from the new technology developed for it because the aircraft design can be adapted to the specific needs of that technology.

For instance they can make the helicopter environmental friendlier, more silent and maybe even stealthier than the others that are on the market right now. By implementing new technology the aircraft gains also a advantage on the market because it has the technological edge.

Politics

As with every modern military aircraft it all starts with politics. So what is political speaking the benefit of a European heavy helicopter?

The first argument you could make is that it gives United States a competitior in the world theater. At the moment, if you want to buy a heavy helicopter from the western world you can only get a american helicopter. If Europe would make one than you wouldn't rely on the US government anymore. This could be a up-side for any country that doesn't want to rely on the US but still want to operate a western helicopter. 

Second reason is one you probaly have heard before 'cause it is the argument of European independence. If Europe would make their own heavy helicopter than they don't need to rely on the US anymore. Which is not only beneficial for the defence industry but also for the armed forces. By utilising a European helicopter they don't need to wait for parts until they have crossed the ocean but instead they can now get it quickly from a country next door. 

Let's say these arguments are good enough for the politicians, then whats next? If a single country starts this movement than they need to find countrys that agree with them. The best way to achieve this is via the European Defence Agency (EDA). This is a agency from the European Union to make it easier for it's members to work more closely in the defence industry.

After the country who started this found enough partners than they can move on the next step which is agreeing on the specifications for the helicopter. Once they have done that than they need to pick a few companies who are willing to work together and after that the whole process of developing a helicopter can begin. This whole process will take likely around 15 to 20 years. First 5 years for politics than 10 years to develop the helicopter. Maybe even another 5 years or so to solve some problems that will show up once the helicopter is being operated. This is also the reason why they need to start now with this project. Once they are done the new helicopters now are going to need replacement by then. 

Involved countries and companies

So if this would actualy happen wich country would send which company to represent their share of the project?

Germany - Airbus Helicopters

Germany is one of the few countries operating a heavy helicopter in Europe. Germany is also known to prefer a European solution over a US one. It also would not be the first time the participate in developing a European aircraft. The participated in programs like the Airbus A400m, Panavia Tornado and the NHIndustries NH90. The latter one being a helicopter where by Germany decided to let Airbus Helicopters represent the German industry. 

France - Airbus Helicopters 

France doesn't operate any heavy helicopter at the moment but they used to. In fact not only they operated one but the also developed the only western European heavy lift helicopter. I'm ofcourse talking about the Aérospatiale SA 321 Super Frelon. Today Aérospatiale doesn't exist any more but they live on as Airbus Helicopters. Besides the France experience in developing a heavy lift helicopter they are also are a the perfect partner for a European collaboration because they are , just like the Germans, comitted to a strong, independent European defence industry. But unlike the Germans they are not scared to walk away if it doesn't go the way that suites them, just like they did with the Eurofighter project. 

Netherlands - Fokker

The Netherlands stands a bit out because it is a small country. Although they are not that big, the Netherlands is a flat country which is great for helicopter operations. This is also the reason why they operate the Boeing CH-47F and they most likely will feel the need to continue their heavy helicopter operations. Although they operate a American helicopter at the moment it does not mean that they would continue that. In the Netherlands is a shift towards European cooperation taking place meaning that they most likely will be intrested in co-developing a heavy helicopter. If they would do that than it is for them only logical to ask their former aviation giant Fokker to help them out. Fokker has been through out time the main Dutch aviation manufacturer. Even though Fokker is not known for helicopter development it is not something new for them because they worked (on behave of the Netherlands) on the NH90 project. Because of their experience with the NH90 they now know how to build a new helicopter within a bigger multinational team. 

Italy - Leonardo

Italy on it's own is not the most ideal country for helicopter operations but never the les they still operate one (the CH-47). Combined with their experience with working on new aircraft with other countries would make them at least intrested in the idea of developing a new helicopter. Fortuantly they also have one of the biggest helicopter manufactures of Europe. Born from two giants, Agusta Helicopters and Westland Helicopters, Leonardo has a long history of developing helicopters in it's DNA. Some of their products include the AW-101, AW-149 and the AW-139 (licenced produced by Boeing as the HH-139). This makes them ideal for participating in a new heavy helicopter. 

UK - BAE systems

The UK has a long history of aircraft development. They are the creators of helicopters like the Westland Wasp, Westland lynx and they helped creating the EH-101 Merlin but even more important they also have the license to produce the CH-47 Chinook localy. The local production of the CH-47 gives them the experience of building such a helicopter. All of this activty is done by AgustaWestland (Leonardo), so why do I think they will pick BAE systems for this project? That is because BAE has experience with a lot of different things. This experience gives them the ability to look beyond the aviation industry for solutions, making BAE quite useful. 

These are just a small sample of countries and companies that would be useful for when your building a team for helicopter development. Other countries involved could include Sweden, Spain, Greece and mabye some unxpected ones like Poland or Romania. For possible companies involved the list would be even longer. It could include engine manufactures like Safran and Rolls Royce but also other companies like NHIndustries and Saab. 

This is just a short piece I wrote but if you want to read more about it and something more in depth than there is a great article from finabel. (just click the word for the link)