Helen Wheatley

Air Futures NAD Group

Helen joined the Royal Signals and Radar Establishment (RSRE) in 1982 as their first female Engineering Apprentice. She has since worked in various departments of the UK Ministry of Defence (MOD). She joined the Helicopters Directorate in Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) in October 2022, to look beyond the current Rotary Wing Programme of Record and work with the Military Strategic Headquarters to refresh the RW Strategy – a real ‘Shaping’ role! In May 24, she was temporarily promoted to Head Hels 2, to deliver the Hels 2 portfolio and lead the transition of those teams into the new DE&S Operating Model. She retained responsibility for the UK’s New Medium Helicopter (NMH) procurement, and in Dec 24, she was appointed Chair for the NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) Steering Board and Strategic Partnering Committee. Her final role will see her establish the Advanced Jet Training project, which will include replacing the Hawk T1s currently flown by the Red Arrows.