Italy wants to join US high-tech coaxial rotor helicopter technology

Europe, News, US October 8, 2022 , by IRIA No Comments

Italy is eyeing the development of the U.S. next-generation coaxial rotor helicopter technology to reap the same benefits as it did from being an early partner for the F-35 project.

According to the Chief of Italian Air Force General Luca Goretti, the Italian aerospace industry and defense manufacturers are ready for technological cooperation with the U.S. on its upcoming coaxial rotor helicopter as there is a lot of potential for its use in the European market.

During an interview with a U.S.-based media outlet, General Goretti said that “The Americans have asked Italian industry to participate, and I hope that, just as we did with the F-35, we join at the start.”

A coaxial rotor helicopter features two rotors turning in opposite directions. The new design concept has exceptionally improved the speed and maneuverability of helicopters. The American defense contractor, Lockheed Martin, has been working on its Raider X coaxial rotor helicopter project since 2019. The concept behind the Raider X was derived from the Sikorsky S-97 Raider, which is a high-speed scout and attack compound helicopter produced by Sikorsky Aviation, a Lockheed Martin company.

In March 2020, the U.S. army selected Raider X and Bell 360 Invictus concept designs for the final flight competition. As the flight competition test between the two chosen prototypes has come close in 2023, Lockheed Martin and Sikorsky aviation have hastened their efforts from production into the final phase.

“We will be a promoter in Europe of [coaxial] technology, a leader in its development and industrial growth, which will increase in time, as happened with the F-35, where the Germans and Swiss are now looking at us and our maintenance hub in Cameri with a potential interest in our competencies,” Goretti said.

Lockheed Martin's future vertical lift attack and reconnaissance helicopter — *^{Lockheed Martin’s future vertical lift attack and reconnaissance helicopter. (Image Credit: Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky)}*

As an early partner in the F-35 jets program, the Italian defense industry has helped its U.S. counterparts in production, manufacturing, and final assembly for more than 30 years. Italy has Europe’s only assembly and maintenance facility for advanced fighter jets at Cameri Air Base in northern Italy, which provides final assembly services as well as parts manufacturing for the F-35 Lightening II jets. Italy also provides maintenance and production works for many European buyers of U.S. fighter jets including Germany and Switzerland.

While talking about Italy’s contribution to the next-generation helicopter technology, General Goretti said that “We have platforms which fly at 140-150 knots. We are looking ahead to better technology, just as we did for the F-35 where we invested in the belief the platform would be adopted in Europe. We were the first to believe in it without losing interest in European programs like the Eurofighter, which is our backbone.”

Goretti further added that “The same philosophy can be used for a new-generation helicopter. We often look at where the U.S. is going. Because inevitably that technology will sooner or later be adopted around the world.”