On February 25th 2026, at Leonardo Helicopters in Cascina Costa, a ceremony was held to celebrate the maiden flight of the Next Generation Civil Tiltrotor Technology Demonstrator (NGCTR-TD), successfully performed on December 19th, 2025.
On the occasion of the celebration, the aircraft also completed a second flight, conducted by Chief Test Pilot Commander Gianfranco Cito, further marking this important milestone for European aeronautics.
Developed by Leonardo since 2014 within the European Union Clean Sky 2 programme, the NGCTR-TD represents a significant technological step forward in civil tiltrotor aviation, integrating advanced solutions in structures, aerodynamics, aeroelasticity, manufacturing and certification methodologies.
The Department of Aerospace Science and Technology (DAER) at Politecnico di Milano contributed to Leonardo’s development of the NGCTR-TD through several Clean Sky 2 research projects addressing key enabling technologies:
- TRAIL – High-performance, low-cost, lightweight nacelle structures
- AMATHO – Additive manufacturing technologies
- FORMOSA – Innovative movable aerodynamic surfaces
- ATTILA – Aeroelasticity and whirl flutter investigations for tiltrotors
- RoCS – Advanced methodologies for certification by simulation
During the ceremony, Giuseppe Quaranta, Deputy Head of DAER, received a commemorative plaque in recognition of the contribution of Politecnico di Milano to the project.
Special recognition goes to the colleagues who led the above-mentioned research projects:
Marco Morandini, Giuseppe Sala, Vincenzo Muscarello, Pierangelo Masarati and Giuseppe Quaranta.
Sincere thanks to all DAER colleagues and to the many research institutions across Europe that collaborated with us over the years in addressing the technological challenges of this ambitious programme.
The NGCTR-TD is not only a technological achievement, but also a powerful example of how sustained cooperation between industry, academia and European institutions can generate strategic innovation — while providing invaluable opportunities for educating and training the next generation of aerospace engineers.
Congratulations to Leonardo Helicopters and to everyone involved in reaching this important milestone.
