SHARP rotorcraft engine project spools up with kick-off meeting

European Defence Fund initiative will develop technologies for next-generation military powerplant.

Work on a project that could eventually yield a European next-generation military rotorcraft engine has officially kicked off.

Called SHARP – Sovereign High-performance Architecture for Rotorcraft Propulsion – the project is funded by the European Defence Fund (EDF) and brings together 25 partners from 12 countries to develop “scalable building blocks” for a future powerplant.

Led by MTU Aero Engines and Safran Helicopter Engines through their EURA joint venture, which also includes Avio Aero as a partner, the project was in April selected for a €25 million ($28 million) EDF grant.

An official kick-off session for the project was held in early November, EURA says, following the signature of the required grant and consortium agreements.

“The kick-off provided the opportunity to align technical priorities and establish a common path forward,” it states in a LinkedIn post.

“Now the focus shifts to what matters most: advancing the technologies that can strengthen Europe’s capabilities and technological sovereignty in rotorcraft propulsion.”

EURA has previously said the project would pave the way for a development programme it calls the European Next Generation Helicopter Engine (ENGHE), a powerplant expected to be in the 4,000-6,000shp (2,980-4,470kW) range.

At present, no European airframer has launched a military development that would require such an engine, but multiple projects are under way towards that goal, including the NATO-led Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability programme seeking a long-term replacement for multiple in-service helicopters, including the NH Industries NH90.

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