Julian Moxon/PARIS
The European Commission's (EC) research directorate has rejected the two proposals for tiltrotor wing concepts under its Fifth Framework aeronautics research programme, demanding that Eurocopter and Agusta submissions are merged.
Eurocopter, leading a European consortium, had proposed its Eurotilt concept, while Agusta, leading a group which included merger partner GKN Westland, countered with a tilt-wing solution.
The rivals have been told by Brussels that their proposals were rejected because they competed "and the notion of added value for Europe went with the idea of a consensual solution-to have two parties fighting each other was seen as negative". An EC source says the two proposals were "niche concepts" and competed with other technologies "which it was felt were more urgent to support".
The EC says member states "have given a clear signal" that the two advanced tiltrotor contenders should be given a second chance in mid-December, when industry will respond to a second call for tenders - but only on condition they submit a single proposal.
Eurocopter's head of research Philippe Galland says talks with Agusta on a common programme are "going well-we have a reasonable chance of success". He adds, however, that finding a common solution to two such different concepts is "difficult". He says several ideas for a compromise have been mooted, including one in which the outer parts of the wing are tilted.
The Europeans are struggling to catch up with US developments by Bell Boeing on the military V-22 tiltrotor and the Bell-led development of the BA609 civil tiltrotor, in which Agusta is the main partner.
The other three categories selected for funding cover an Airbus proposal on lightweight structures development, engine development work by a Rolls-Royce/Snecma team and air traffic control autonomous aircraft contenders. The names of the winners in the latter category have not been revealed as last minute negotiations are under way to merge two similar proposals. They have been given the green light for a four-year research programme, for which the EC will provide € 245 million ($256 million).
The categories for the second call for proposals for the Fifth Framework aeronautics programme, worth € 200 million, are modular avionics, external noise and power-optimised aircraft.
Source: Flight International
