Propulsion system for next generation rotorcrafts
EDF Research Actions
Funding Amount
Amount not specified
Deadline
16/10/2025
Eligible Organization Types
Non-profit, Private Business, Research Institution, Public Institution
Trusted by
What is the Propulsion system for next generation rotorcrafts Call?
Grant Description
This call aims to develop and mature breakthrough high-power (above 3000 shp / 2.237 kW) military rotorcraft engine technologies to deliver a versatile, cost-efficient, robust and maintainable European propulsion system. Projects must improve efficiency and performance, reduce emissions and life-cycle costs, support predictive maintenance via digital twins, operate on multiple fuel types including sustainable aviation fuels, and reinforce EU technological sovereignty free of non-EU export restri...
Required Results for Successful Funding
Expected Outcomes
• A state-of-the-art, affordable, efficient, high-power (>3000 shp/2.237 kW) turboshaft engine prototype design ready for further development
• 25–35% reduction in specific fuel consumption compared to in-service engines of equivalent power
• Best-in-class horsepower-to-weight ratio at entry into service
• Reduced production and operational costs via novel manufacturing and lean maintenance concepts
• Substantially lower aircraft fuel burn and CO₂ emissions over the full life cycle
• Full compatibility with current and future Sustainable Aviation Fuels and robustness to low-quality fuels
• Very high availability and reliability in all envisaged military operating conditions
• Demonstrated resilience in harsh environments without performance degradation
• Enhanced safety, simplicity, reduced IR and noise signature, and increased onboard electrical power capacity to support hybridisation
• Twin-engine system design permitting single-engine cruise as normal operating mode
• Strengthened EU supply chain, sovereignty and independence in high-power rotorcraft propulsion technology
• 25–35% reduction in specific fuel consumption compared to in-service engines of equivalent power
• Best-in-class horsepower-to-weight ratio at entry into service
• Reduced production and operational costs via novel manufacturing and lean maintenance concepts
• Substantially lower aircraft fuel burn and CO₂ emissions over the full life cycle
• Full compatibility with current and future Sustainable Aviation Fuels and robustness to low-quality fuels
• Very high availability and reliability in all envisaged military operating conditions
• Demonstrated resilience in harsh environments without performance degradation
• Enhanced safety, simplicity, reduced IR and noise signature, and increased onboard electrical power capacity to support hybridisation
• Twin-engine system design permitting single-engine cruise as normal operating mode
• Strengthened EU supply chain, sovereignty and independence in high-power rotorcraft propulsion technology
Funded areas
Scope Requirements
Proposals must deliver:
• A new rotorcraft propulsion system closing the power-range gap above 3 000 shp / 2 237 kW
• Significant efficiency and performance gains over current state-of-the-art systems
• An architecture and power profile fully compatible with ENGR requirements
• Multi-mission military capability (armed reconnaissance, strike, combat, SAR, MEDEVAC, CASEVAC, utility, air assault, close support) with low emission signature, high availability, reliability and maintainability
• Robustness against harsh environmental stressors (sand, dust, maritime corrosion, ice, snow, water, extreme temperatures)
• A high-efficiency thermodynamic cycle: high-pressure-ratio compressor, high-temperature combustor and turbine, low-emission combustor, lightweight power turbine
• Advanced fuel system and advanced control/monitoring systems
• Minimum life-cycle costs through design for manufacture, serviceability, recyclability and sustainability
• Early risk reduction by maturing key technological bricks ahead of full development
• Fuel flexibility: conventional jet fuels, SAF, and tolerance of lower-quality regional fuels (higher sulphur, impurities)
• Extended inspection intervals and overhauls
Exclude research on rotors, gearboxes and shafts; limit scope to the engine and its subsystems.
• A new rotorcraft propulsion system closing the power-range gap above 3 000 shp / 2 237 kW
• Significant efficiency and performance gains over current state-of-the-art systems
• An architecture and power profile fully compatible with ENGR requirements
• Multi-mission military capability (armed reconnaissance, strike, combat, SAR, MEDEVAC, CASEVAC, utility, air assault, close support) with low emission signature, high availability, reliability and maintainability
• Robustness against harsh environmental stressors (sand, dust, maritime corrosion, ice, snow, water, extreme temperatures)
• A high-efficiency thermodynamic cycle: high-pressure-ratio compressor, high-temperature combustor and turbine, low-emission combustor, lightweight power turbine
• Advanced fuel system and advanced control/monitoring systems
• Minimum life-cycle costs through design for manufacture, serviceability, recyclability and sustainability
• Early risk reduction by maturing key technological bricks ahead of full development
• Fuel flexibility: conventional jet fuels, SAF, and tolerance of lower-quality regional fuels (higher sulphur, impurities)
• Extended inspection intervals and overhauls
Exclude research on rotors, gearboxes and shafts; limit scope to the engine and its subsystems.
Additional Conditions for Applicants
Special Conditions
• Only activities (a) Generating knowledge, (b) Integrating knowledge, (c) Feasibility studies and (d) Design (partial risk-reduction tests) are eligible; prototyping, testing, qualification, certification and life-cycle efficiency development are excluded.
• Proposals must demonstrate compliance with EU and EDF Associated Countries’ eligibility criteria (legal, financial, operational capacity).
• Single-stage submission by 16 October 2025, 17:00 Brussels time; adhere to page limits, layout and annex templates.
• Consortium composition must ensure EU sovereignty: partners from Member States and EDF Associated Countries; results free from non-EU export control restrictions.
• Proposals must substantiate synergies with EDF-2021-AIR-R-NGRT and EDF-2024-DA-AIR-NGRT to ensure engine-to-aircraft consistency.
• Mandatory tasks must be covered; deviation or omission will render proposal ineligible.
• Proposals must demonstrate compliance with EU and EDF Associated Countries’ eligibility criteria (legal, financial, operational capacity).
• Single-stage submission by 16 October 2025, 17:00 Brussels time; adhere to page limits, layout and annex templates.
• Consortium composition must ensure EU sovereignty: partners from Member States and EDF Associated Countries; results free from non-EU export control restrictions.
• Proposals must substantiate synergies with EDF-2021-AIR-R-NGRT and EDF-2024-DA-AIR-NGRT to ensure engine-to-aircraft consistency.
• Mandatory tasks must be covered; deviation or omission will render proposal ineligible.
Important dates
Open from: 18/02/2025
Deadline:16/10/2025
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