Next Generation Vertical Lift Programme; Project 2 Transmission

The UK is building the transmission system for a next-generation light medium helicopter, the AW169, in Yeovil, with entry into service planned for 2014. This three-year programme addresses a specific industrial gap: the UK currently lacks a commercial rotorcraft manufacturing and support capability. Without this investment, the country risks falling behind in the global helicopter market. The project focuses on three areas—rotor blades, hubs/transmissions, and flight trials—to develop technologies that can be applied across all products at the Yeovil site. If successful, the programme will bring high-value commercial manufacturing back to the UK, creating tools, techniques, and processes that can be reused across multiple rotorcraft platforms. The AW169 itself is designed to be greener, with lower emissions, lower noise, and lower direct operating costs than current models. It also incorporates advanced avionics, a high-visibility cockpit, and improved cabin accessibility. The practical impact is a more competitive UK rotorcraft industry, with quieter, more efficient helicopters that cost less to operate. The collaborative research with industry partners and academia also pulls lower-technology-readiness research through to market, turning fundamental science into a commercial product.