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'''European Future Advanced Rotorcraft''' ('''EuroFAR''') was a proposed [[tiltrotor]] aircraft that was pursued during the 1980s and 1990s. It was a collaborative programme undertaken by the EuroFAR consortium, which comprised [[Aerospatiale]], [[Agusta]], [[Aeritalia]], [[Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm]], [[Westland Helicopters|Westland]], and [[Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA]] (CASA).

Work on EuroFAR started during the mid-1980s in response to the innovative [[Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey]], a military-orientated tiltrotor. A distinct difference of EuroFAR was the primary pursuit of the civilian market, although some considerations were made towards its potential military operation as well. The programme was officially launched in late 1987, sponsored by the European technological research programme [[Eureka (organisation)|Eureka]]. Work progressed to the second phase in early 1994. By this point, the consortium was aware of the competing [[AgustaWestland AW609|Bell BA609]] as well as the V-22; interest in other platforms, such as [[compound helicopter]]s, drew attention away from EuroFAR. During the late 1990s, work was abandoned in favour of other initiatives.

==Development==
During the 1980s, various aerospace manufacturers became interested in the [[Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey]], an in-development tiltrotor designed for the use of the [[United States]] military.<ref name="JPRS-ELS-87-054"/> Several European manufacturers opted to collaboratively pursue development of their own tiltrotor for civil purposes; this ambition led to the creation of the ''EuroFAR'' consortium in August 1986, which was named after their proposed aircraft, the ''European Future Advanced Rotorcraft''.<ref name = "newscience 1987">{{cite magazine |issn = 0028-6664 |magazine = [[New Scientist]] |title = Tilting at new aviation markets. In the US, the armed forces will soon operate aircraft that take off and land as helicopters but fly like turboprops. Europe is now beginning to take an interest in the technology for a civilian market. |url = {{GBurl|ojTyqdR2vMEC|p = 38}} |date = 1 October 1987 |given = Helen |surname = Gavaghan |pages = 38–43 |number = 1580 |volume = 116}}</ref> Members of the consortium included France's [[Aerospatiale]], Italy's [[Agusta]] and [[Aeritalia]], Germany's [[Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm]] (MBB), the United Kingdom's [[Westland Helicopters|Westland]], and Spain's [[Construcciones Aeronáuticas SA]] (CASA). Of these, Aerospatiale and August emerged as the leaders, both companies having considerable experience in the design and production of various helicopters.<ref name="JPRS-ELS-87-054"/><ref>{{cite conference |conference = European rotorcraft forum |edition = 12th |date = 22–25 September 1986 |location = Garmisch-Partenkirchen, Germany |given1 = J. |surname1 = Andres |given2 = H. |surname2 = Huber |given3 = J. |surname3 = Renaud |title = The tilt-rotor aircraft: A response to the future? From European interrogations to EuroFAR actions. |url = https://dspace-erf.nlr.nl/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.11881/2983/ERF%201986-03.pdf |hdl = 20.500.11881/2983 |oclc = 256382680 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}</ref> [[British Aerospace]] was initially involved as well, but had pulled out by 1987 to participate in the V-22 programme instead.<ref name = "newscience 1987"/>

The EuroFAR was envisioned to be a civil-orientated tiltrotor, capable of carrying up to 19 passengers across a distance of 1,000&nbsp;km while traversing at a cruising speed of 580kmph and a maximum altitude of 7,500 meters.<ref name="JPRS-ELS-87-054"/> For vertical take off performance, it would have had a maximum weight limit of ten tons, four of which would have been the payload; a less restrictive 13 ton maximum weight would be permitted for short take off operations only. The estimated fuel consumption rate was 1.2&nbsp;kg per km flown.<ref name="JPRS-ELS-87-054"/> The forecast cost of the tiltrotor, according to the consortium, was 1.15 times that of conventional helicopters of comparable capacity.<ref name="JPRS-ELS-87-054"/>

Various potential uses for the tiltrotor had been envisioned, including its potential to serve city centres directly via airports that most conventional [[airliner]]s could not use, such as [[London City Airport]].<ref name = "newscience 1987"/> One forecast had anticipated that 93% of all sales would be to the offshore oil and gas industry while as much as 40% of the EuroFAR's projected international sales were to come from the [[North America]]n market.<ref>{{cite news |work = Science & Technology: Europe/International |title = Technical features of EUROFAR VTOL aircraft described |url = https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433017047170?urlappend=%3Bseq=432 |series = JPRS Report |publication-date = 16 April 1993 |date = 1–7 March 1993 |given = Christel |surname = Tardif |pages = 12–13 |department = West Europe: Aerospace |volume = JPRS-EST-93-010-L |agency = [[Air & Cosmos]]/Aviation Magazine International |translator = [[Foreign Broadcast Information Service]] (FBIS) |hdl = 2027/nyp.33433017047170}}</ref> While it was primarily intended for civilian operators, Westland in particular was keen to promote the EuroFAR for military purposes as well. Multiple discussions with potential military operators were held, with one area of focus having reportedly been [[anti-submarine warfare]].<ref name = "newscience 1987"/> In addition to the tiltrotor itself, another official aim of the programme was the development of various technologies and innovations that could be transferred across to other aircraft and future projects, particularly the improvement of conventional rotorcraft.<ref name = "jprs 1995"/>

Upon the consortium's creation, the group stated its intention to produce a technology demonstrator, for which the vast majority of funding would be provided initially via the framework of the European technological research programme [[Eureka (organisation)|Eureka]].<ref name="JPRS-ELS-87-054"/> The member firms also financially contributed, as well as building upon their prior projects. In January 1987, a model of the proposed EuroFAR was publicly presented.<ref name="JPRS-ELS-87-054"/> It had been hoped that, with sufficient backing, that the demonstrator could by flying as early as 1991. However, government officials were largely non-committal to the project.<ref name="JPRS-ELS-87-054"/>

In late 1987, the programme was officially launched.<ref name = "jprs 1995">{{cite news |work = Science & Technology: Europe/International |title = Eurocopter France head outlines R&D program |url = https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433016823936?urlappend=%3Bseq=99 |series = JPRS Report |publication-date = 22 May 1995 |date = February 1995 |given = Yves |surname = Richard |pages = 3–9 |department = Aerospace |volume = JPRS-EST-95-014 |agency = Nouvelle Revue d'Aeronautique et d'Astronautique |translator = [[Foreign Broadcast Information Service]] (FBIS) |hdl = 2027/nyp.33433016823936}}</ref> Phase one involved a detailed preliminary study, experimental work to augment this study, and market research for the potential civil uses for the tiltrotor. Phase 2, which was launched in early 1994 after the technical feasibility had been demonstrated, was an evaluation of the industrial and financial risks, as well as the civil and military implications of EuroFAR.<ref name = "jprs 1995"/> As the V-22 drew closer towards quantity production in the 1990s, the EuroFAR consortium reportedly felt increasing pressure to intensify their efforts on the programme.<ref>{{cite magazine |title = Pressured by U.S. efforts, EuroFAR picks up speed |date = 4 August 1995 |magazine = Helicopter News |issn = 0363-8227 |volume = 21 |number = 16 |page = 1 |via = [[Factiva]]}}</ref>

During the late 1990s, the program reportedly was subject to a renewal of activity; Eurocopter projects manager Jean Renaurd stated that consortium had been concerned over the potential loss of sales to the rival [[AgustaWestland AW609|Bell BA609]] tiltrotor project.<ref name = "renewal 1997">{{cite magazine |issn = 0015-3710 |magazine = [[Flight International]] |title = Eurofar renews work on tilt-rotor programme |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/eurofar-renews-work-on-tilt-rotor/18101.article |url-access = limited |date = 12 November 1997 |page = 32}}</ref> Over the following two years, various potential configurations underwent [[windtunnel]] testing in [[Toulouse]] using one-sixth scale models, which were intended to aid in determining the rotorcraft's definitive configuration.<ref name = "renewal 1997"/> As late as 1999, funding requests were still being issued for the project. However, by July 1999, work on the EuroFAR had reportedly been deprioritised in favour of other projects; specifically, GKN Westland and Agusta put together a financing request to the [[European Commission]] for the development of a [[compound helicopter]] technology demonstrator. This division of attention eventually led to all work on EuroFAR being discontinued.<ref name="FI19990707"/><ref name="FI19990721"/>

== Specifications ==
{{Aircraft specs
|ref= Future Aeronautical and Space Systems (1997), pp. 62, 65{{R|"NoorVenneri1997"|p=[{{GBurl|uuR5yBwvhsQC|p=62}} 62],[{{GBurl|uuR5yBwvhsQC|p=65}} 65]}}
|prime units?= met
<!--
        General characteristics
-->
|genhide=

|crew= Two pilots, one flight attendant
|capacity= 30 passengers
|length m= 22.4
|length ft=
|length in=
|length note=
|span m= 14.6
|span ft=
|span in=
|span note=
|upper span m=
|upper span ft=
|upper span in=
|upper span note=
|mid span m=
|mid span ft=
|mid span in=
|mid span note=
|lower span m=
|lower span ft=
|lower span in=
|lower span note=
|swept m=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept ft=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept in=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept note=
|dia m=<!-- airships etc -->
|dia ft=<!-- airships etc -->
|dia in=<!-- airships etc -->
|dia note=
|width m=<!-- if applicable -->
|width ft=<!-- if applicable -->
|width in=<!-- if applicable -->
|width note=
|height m=
|height ft=
|height in=
|height note=
|wing area sqm=
|wing area sqft=
|wing area note=
|swept area sqm=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept area sqft=<!-- swing-wings -->
|swept area note=
|volume m3=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|volume ft3=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|volume note=
|aspect ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|airfoil=
|empty weight kg=
|empty weight lb=
|empty weight note=
|gross weight kg=
|gross weight lb=
|gross weight note=
|max takeoff weight kg= 15,000
|max takeoff weight lb=
|max takeoff weight note= VTOL: {{cvt|13,650|kg}}
|fuel capacity=
|lift kg=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift lb=<!-- lighter-than-air -->
|lift note=
|more general=
<!--
        Powerplant
-->
|eng1 number= 2
|eng1 name= [[Pratt & Whitney PW300]]
|eng1 type= [[turboshaft]]
|eng1 kw= 3,185
|eng1 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng1 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng1 note=
|power original=
|thrust original=
|eng1 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng1 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->

|eng2 number=
|eng2 name=
|eng2 type=
|eng2 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng2 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng2 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng2 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng2 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng2 note=
|eng2 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng2 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->

|eng3 number=
|eng3 name=
|eng3 type=
|eng3 kw=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng3 hp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng3 shp=<!-- prop engines -->
|eng3 kn=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng3 lbf=<!-- jet/rocket engines -->
|eng3 note=
|eng3 kn-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|eng3 lbf-ab=<!-- afterburners -->
|more power=

|prop blade number=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop name=
|prop dia m=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia ft=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia in=<!-- propeller aircraft -->
|prop dia note=

|rot number=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia m= 11.2
|rot dia ft=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot dia in=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area sqm=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area sqft=<!-- helicopters -->
|rot area note=
<!--
        Performance
-->
|perfhide=

|max speed kmh=
|max speed mph=
|max speed kts=
|max speed note=
|max speed mach=<!-- supersonic aircraft -->
|cruise speed kmh=
|cruise speed mph=
|cruise speed kts= 335
|cruise speed note=
|stall speed kmh=
|stall speed mph=
|stall speed kts=
|stall speed note=
|never exceed speed kmh=
|never exceed speed mph=
|never exceed speed kts=
|never exceed speed note=
|minimum control speed kmh=
|minimum control speed mph=
|minimum control speed kts=
|minimum control speed note=
|range km=
|range miles=
|range nmi= 664
|range note=with maximum standard fuel
|combat range km=
|combat range miles=
|combat range nmi=
|combat range note=
|ferry range km=
|ferry range miles=
|ferry range nmi=
|ferry range note=
|endurance=<!-- if range unknown -->
|ceiling m=
|ceiling ft=
|ceiling note=
|g limits=<!-- aerobatic -->
|roll rate=<!-- aerobatic -->
|glide ratio=<!-- sailplanes -->
|climb rate ms=
|climb rate ftmin= 2,200
|climb rate note=
|time to altitude=
|sink rate ms=<!-- sailplanes -->
|sink rate ftmin=<!-- sailplanes -->
|sink rate note=
|lift to drag=
|wing loading kg/m2=
|wing loading lb/sqft=
|wing loading note=
|disk loading kg/m2=
|disk loading lb/sqft=
|disk loading note=
|fuel consumption kg/km=
|fuel consumption lb/mi=
|power/mass=
|thrust/weight=

|more performance=
<!--
        Armament
-->
|armament=<!-- add bulletted list here or if you want to use the following 
specific parameters, remove this parameter-->
|guns= 
|bombs= 
|rockets= 
|missiles= 
|hardpoints=
|hardpoint capacity=
|hardpoint rockets=
|hardpoint missiles=
|hardpoint bombs=
|hardpoint other=

|avionics=
}}

== See also ==
* [[AgustaWestland AW609]]
* [[Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey]]

== References ==
{{Reflist|refs=
<ref name="FI19990721">{{cite magazine |issn = 0015-3710 |magazine = [[Flight International]] |title = Eurotilt consortium drives for tiltrotor funding from EC |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/eurotilt-consortium-drives-for-tiltrotor-funding-from-ec/27688.article |url-access = limited |date = 21 July 1999 |page = 17 |given = Max |surname = Kingsley-Jones}}</ref>
<ref name="FI19990707">{{cite magazine |issn = 0015-3710 |magazine = [[Flight International]] |title = European split on competitor to V-22 tiltrotor |url = https://www.flightglobal.com/european-split-on-competitor-to-v-22-tiltrotor/27521.article |url-access = limited |date = 7 July 1999 |page = 17 |given = Kate |surname = Sarsfield}}</ref>
<ref name="NoorVenneri1997">{{cite book |title = Future aeronautical and space systems |url = {{GBurl|uuR5yBwvhsQC}} |editor-given1 = Ahmed K. |editor-surname1 = Noor |editor-given2 = Samuel L. |editor-surname2 = Venneri |year = 1997 |series = Progress in astronautics and aeronautics |volume = 172 |isbn = 1-56347-188-4 |oclc = 925203604}}</ref>
<ref name="JPRS-ELS-87-054">{{cite news |work = Science & Technology: Europe & Latin America |title = EUROFAR convertiplane detailed |url = https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a355547.pdf#page=7 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20220601065137/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a355547.pdf#page=7 |url-status = live |archive-date = 1 June 2022 |publication-date = 17 December 1987 |date = November 1987 |author = Liberatore Foscolo |pages = 4–5 |series = JPRS Report |volume = JPRS-ELS-87-054 |agency = Aeronautica e Difesa |translator = [[Foreign Broadcast Information Service]] (FBIS)}}</ref>
}}

== Bibliography ==
{{refbegin}}
* {{cite magazine |title =  Europeans plan civil tiltrotor technology demonstrator |date = 1 March 1996 |magazine = Helicopter News |issn = 0363-8227 |volume = 22 |number = 5 |page = 1 |via = [[Factiva]]}}
* {{cite conference |conference = Flight Mechanics Panel Symposium |department = Recent advances in long range and long endurance operation of aircraft |title = Le convertible type EuroFAR: Vue d'ensemble des avancements techniques et missions futures |url = https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a277806.pdf#page=122 |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20210419070622/https://apps.dtic.mil/dtic/tr/fulltext/u2/a277806.pdf#page=122 |url-status = live |archive-date = 19 April 2021 |language = French |pages = 10–1 to 10–6 |given1 = A. |surname1 = Martini |given2 = J. |surname2 = Renaud |publication-date = November 1993 |date = 24–27 May 1993 |location = Kijkduin (The Hague), Netherlands |isbn = 92-835-0726-6 |oclc = 197117575 |issn = 0549-7191 |series = AGARD conference proceedings |volume = 547 |publisher = North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) }}
* {{cite news |work = Science & Technology: Europe/International |title = EUROFAR enters demonstrator phase |url = https://hdl.handle.net/2027/nyp.33433017047170?urlappend=%3Bseq=11 |series = JPRS Report |publication-date = 22 February 1993 |date = 18–24 January 1993 |given = Christel |surname = Tardif |pages = 3–4 |department = West Europe: Aerospace |volume = JPRS-EST-93-006-L |agency = [[Air & Cosmos]] |translator = [[Foreign Broadcast Information Service]] (FBIS) |hdl = 2027/nyp.33433017047170 }}
* {{cite conference |conference = European rotorcraft forum |edition = 17th |date = 24–27 September 1991 |location = Berlin, Germany |given1 = J. |surname1 = Renaud |given2 = H. |surname2 = Huber |given3 = G. |surname3 = Venn |title = The EuroFAR program: An European overview on advanced VTOL civil transportation system |url = https://dspace-erf.nlr.nl/xmlui/bitstream/handle/20.500.11881/3387/ERF1991-24.PDF |hdl = 20.500.11881/3387 |oclc = 256210503 }}{{Dead link|date=August 2024 |bot=InternetArchiveBot |fix-attempted=yes }}
* {{cite magazine |issn = 0018-8778 |magazine = ICAO bulletin: Official magazine of international civil aviation |url = https://www.icao.int/publications/journalsreports/1989/4402.djvu |format = [[DjVu]] |title = EUROFAR — An advanced rotorcraft programme is under way |volume = 44 |number = 2 |pages = 15–18 |publication-date = February 1989 |given1 = J. |surname1 = Andres |given2 = J. |surname2 = Renaud }}
** {{cite web |title = ICAO Journal |website = International Civil Aviation Organization |url = https://www.icao.int/publications/Pages/ICAO-Journal.aspx?year=1989&lang=en }}
{{refend}}

<!--- Categories --->
[[Category:Tiltrotor aircraft]]
[[Category:Abandoned civil aircraft projects]]