21-Nov-2010Source: Asia Times
Even to experts on Taiwan’s defense, it remains beyond imagination how the Apaches could fit into any of the threat scenarios Taiwan faces.... Read more
19-Nov-2010Source: QuesTek Innovations
QuesTek Innovations LLC has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase II project from the U.S. Army to demonstrate the application of QuesTek-designed Ferrium C61 steel to the forward rotor shaft of the CH-47 Chinook helicopter. The 2-year contract is valued at $729,958. Working in conjunction with the Army, Boeing and key industry... Read more
17-Nov-2010Source: Honeywell
Honeywell (NYSE: HON) announced today that Boeing has selected the 36-150 Auxiliary Power Unit (APU) for CH-147 helicopters that will be delivered to Canada. “Honeywell engines and auxiliary power units are powering helicopters around the world, but the Canadian Forces program marks the first selection of Honeywell’s APU for a Chinook helicopter,†said Vicki Panhuise,... Read more
9-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Boeing Co., Mesa, Ariz., was awarded on Oct. 29 a $75,233,988 firm-fixed-price performance based logistics for the Apache (AH-64D) D unique components. Work is to be performed in Mesa Ariz., with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2014. One bid was solicited with one bid received. Aviation & Missile Command Contracting Center, CCAMAL-O, Redstone... Read more
9-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Boeing Co., Mesa, Ariz., was awarded on Oct. 29 a $141,701,518 firm-fixed-price contract for the advanced procurement for the manufacture of 31 AH-64D model aircraft and two fixed-site Longbow crew trainers matching the Taiwan AH-640 aircraft configuration. Work is to be performed in Mesa, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of July 30, 2015. One... Read more
9-Nov-2010Source: DSCA
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress November 3 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of 30 AH-64D Block II lot 10 APACHE helicopters, remanufactured to AH-64D Block III configuration and 30 AH-64D Block III APACHE helicopters, as well as associated parts, equipment, training and logistical support for a complete... Read more
5-Nov-2010Source: Boeing
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and the Netherlands Ministry of Defence Logistic Center Woensdrecht today entered a Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) framework agreement to expand the center’s capabilities and develop opportunities for Dutch industry. The alliance is aimed at ensuring the readiness of CH-47 Chinook and AH-64D Apache helicopters operated by the Royal Netherlands... Read more
4-Nov-2010Source: Flightglobal
The selection process for Germany’s combat search and rescue helicopter requirement may slip into the first quarter of next year, a top Boeing executive says.... Read more
4-Nov-2010Source: Flightglobal
Boeing is now pitching the AH-6S helicopter as a less costly alternative for the US Army than upgrading 330 Bell Helicopter OH-58D Kiowa Warrior scouts.... Read more
29-Oct-2010Source: Dept of National Defence
On October 26, 2010, the Auditor General of Canada, Sheila Fraser, tabled her Fall Report in the House of Commons. Chapter 6 of the Auditor General’s Report, “Acquisition of Military Helicopters,†examines the acquisition of the CH-148 Cyclone maritime helicopter to replace the CH-124 Sea King and the acquisition of the CH-147 Chinook for a... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Lockheed Martin
Military users from the Army, Air Force and Navy will be one step closer to realizing secure Internet Protocol based networking as the Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) team begins integration activities of its Airborne and Maritime/Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS) with the AH-64D Longbow Apache helicopter. This marks the first time an... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: DoD Buzz
Boeing says that they expect to sign a contract with Jordan for 18 to 24 of its new AH-6s by the end of the year while another 36 of the birds are set to go to Saudi Arabia as apart of the $60 billion arms deal recently penned with the US... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: Honeywell
The Advanced Turbine Engine Company LLC (ATEC), the new joint venture between Honeywell (NYSE: HON) and United Technologies Corporation’s (NYSE: UTX) Pratt & Whitney, has selected its senior leadership team, including its new president, Craig Madden. ATEC was created to develop a more efficient, more powerful engine for UH-60 Black Hawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters.... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: CBC
“After lengthy delays and significant cost increases, National Defence still has not completely estimated what it will cost to operate these helicopters,” Auditor General Sheila Fraser said.... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: Boeing
Boeing recently returned the first production A160T Hummingbird unmanned rotorcraft, A020, to the assembly line after applying the aircraft’s final, light-gray coat of paint. The A160T is shown entering the paint hangar in this photo. Last week, Boeing submitted a bid that offers the world record-holding A160T in response to the Naval Air Systems Command’s... Read more
25-Oct-2010Source: Australian Dept of Defence
After 737 flying hours and having moved in excess of 691,000 kilograms of supplies and equipment over the last eight months, Australia’s Rotary Wing Group rotation is returning home for a well-earned break and mandatory maintenance on their aircraft. The task group and their two CH-47 Chinooks will return to Afghanistan early in the new... Read more
25-Oct-2010Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that the Boeing and government team supporting the AH-64D Apache helicopter Performance-Based Logistics (PBL) program has received the 2010 Secretary of Defense PBL Award, Sub-system Level. The awards are presented to government/industry PBL program teams that have demonstrated exceptional operational readiness. U.S. Army Apache materiel availability and readiness was 92... Read more
25-Oct-2010Source: Boeing
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] will showcase a wide array of solutions for the U.S. Army at the Association of the United States Army Annual Meeting & Exposition, Oct. 25-27 in Washington. Army modernization initiatives, unmanned systems, airlift and attack/reconnaissance platforms, network-centric technologies, cybersecurity solutions, logistics support, and logistics command and control will be highlighted... Read more
25-Oct-2010Source: Boeing
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced it has received a $247 million contract to begin Low Rate Initial Production (LRIP) for the U.S. Army’s AH-64D Apache Block III helicopter, the most advanced multi-role combat helicopter in the world. The contract, signed by the U.S. government on Oct. 22, covers production of eight Apache Block... Read more
22-Oct-2010Source: Projects Unlimited
Projects Unlimited, Inc., announced today that it has been awarded a contract to build Flight Control Computers, Ice Protection Control Units and Wiring Integration Remote Terminal Assemblies in support of the H-1 and V-22 helicopters for Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, headquartered in Fort Worth, Texas. The contracts, which have an aggregate... Read more
21-Oct-2010Source: Royal Air Force
Monday, 25th October sees that start of a new series “Frontline Battle Machines†on the Discovery Channel. The series, which is presented by Discovery’s “Wheeler Dealer†frontman Mike Brewer, takes an up close and personal look at the UK’s equipment and personnel operating in Afghanistan. Explaining why he made the series Mike said, “We were... Read more
21-Oct-2010Source: DSCA
The DSCA (Defense Security Cooperation Agency) has published four separate FMS requests for a huge range of helicopters, aircraft, armaments, spare engines and associated paraphernalia. Three of the requests include helicopters, and in terms of aircraft, these total to the following 70 AH-64D Block III APACHE Helicopters 72 UH-60M BLACKHAWK Helicopters 36 AH-6i Light Attack... Read more
21-Oct-2010Source: US Marine Corps
A combination of hand signals and radio chatter aided communication over the noise of MV-22 Osprey engines as four Marines prepared to slide down a rope connected to the tail of the helicopter. Marines from Special Operations Training Group, II Marine Expeditionary Force, participated in fast rope operations to complete their two-week helicopter rope suspension... Read more
19-Oct-2010Source: Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace Corporation (Vector – www.vectoraerospace.com), one of the world’s leading independent providers of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul services welcomed Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Dalton RAF to its Fleetlands facility on Monday 11 October. The Chief of the Air Staff visited Vector Aerospace Helicopter Services to present a select group of Vector personnel... Read more
18-Oct-2010Source: Straits Times
The emergency landing of the Apache at Woodlands last month was caused by corroded valves in the aircraft’s engines. Defence Minister Teo Chee Hean revealed the outcome of the investigations into the incident in Parliament on Monday.... Read more
15-Oct-2010Source: US Dept of Defense
The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on Sept. 29 a $11,999,984 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The purpose of this delivery order is to perform 57,700 hours of engineering services support of CH-47F Chinook helicopter non-recurring engineering to include integration of engineering change proposals, product improvement, and other modifications to the CH-47F cargo helicopter. Work is... Read more
15-Oct-2010Source: US Dept of Defense
The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on Sept. 30 a $43,526,000 firm-fixed-price contract. The purpose of this contract modification is to exercise the option for two CH-47F new Chinook cargo helicopters,. Work is to be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Sept. 30, 2013. One bid was solicited... Read more
15-Oct-2010Source: API Technologies
API Technologies Corp. (OTC.BB: ATNY), a provider of highly engineered products and services to the global defense sector, announces that it has received a new, $1.7 million order from Raytheon Space and Airborne Systems (SAS) of El Segundo, California. API will supply Raytheon SAS with engineering services and assemblies for the radar system incorporated within... Read more
14-Oct-2010Source: Boeing
he Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] is preparing to offer a solution based on the world record-setting A160T Hummingbird unmanned rotorcraft in response to the U.S. Naval Air Systems Command’s Request for Proposal (RFP) for Cargo Unmanned Air Systems (UAS) Services. The RFP calls for government-owned, contractor-operated UAS services for the U.S. Marines in Afghanistan. In... Read more
12-Oct-2010Source: US Dept of Defense
BAE Control Systems, Fort Wayne, Ind., was awarded on Sept. 27 a $10,722,175 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contracts. This contract is for Delivery Order 0001 for the pverhaul of the AH-64 control unit, Superv, Input (DECU) is for 100 units. The total dollar value of Delivery Order 0001 is $452.070. Work is to be performed in Fort Wayne,... Read more
12-Oct-2010
An explosion onboard a NATO helicopter has killed one person and wounded seven shortly after it landed at an outpost in eastern Afghanistan.... Read more
11-Oct-2010Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that it has submitted two bids to provide a full range of aviation services to the U.S. Navy in support of operations at Naval Test Wing sites in the United States. Boeing submitted bids for two separate contracts that will have an estimated combined value of $500 million to $600... Read more
5-Oct-2010Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] today announced that the U.S. Defense Logistics Agency Aviation has awarded the company a three-year contract to manufacture spare main rotor heads for the U.S. Army’s fleet of Apache attack helicopters. The fixed-price contract calls for an initial 100 main rotor heads, at a value of $31 million, and allows for 50... Read more
1-Oct-2010Source: Dutch Ministry of Defence
The last Dutch Chinook flight for the ISAF mission has taken place yesterday. Dutch Chinook transport helicopters are operating in Afghanistan since April 2005. 3 Chinooks, from 298 Squadron at Gilze-Rijen Airbase, were stationed at Kandahar Airfield and were part of Air Task Force, a Dutch unit that provides air support for the mission in... Read more
30-Sep-2010Source: Asia One
Accident was reported in HeliHub.com’s safety data here – 30-Sep-10 069 Boeing AH-64 Sembawang, Singapore... Read more
30-Sep-2010Source: US Dept of Defense
F&S Mechanical and Plumbing Services, Inc.*, Tyrone, Ga., is being awarded a $25,637,205 firm-fixed-price contract for construction of the Vertical Marine Medium Tiltrotor Training Squadron 204 maintenance hangar, Phase 3, at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune. The work to be performed provides for the design and construction of a multi-story aircraft maintenance hangar addition, to... Read more
30-Sep-2010Source: Royal Navy
A detachment of Apache attack helicopters from the Army Air Corps has landed onboard the Royal Navy’s fleet flagship HMS Ark Royal to take part in Exercise Joint Warrior in October 2010. Apaches are used extensively by the Army Air Corps in land operations but over the next few weeks they will train to broaden... Read more
30-Sep-2010
Photo shows helicopter landed on main gear with tail boom severed... Read more
28-Sep-2010Source: Boeing
The Bell Boeing V-22 Program, a strategic alliance between Boeing [NYSE: BA] and Bell Helicopter, has delivered the sixth and final MV-22 Osprey Containerized Flight Training Device (CFTD) to the U.S. Marines. In the past year, the team has delivered five CFTDs to the Marines, as well as upgrades to two trainers delivered previously. The... Read more
27-Sep-2010Source: Royal Air Force
19 Royal Air Force personnel have been honoured in the Armed Forces Operational Awards and Joint Commander’s Commendations for their bravery and service in Afghanistan and during UK Operations and Search and Rescue missions. Three Chinook pilots based at RAF Odiham in Hampshire were awarded the prestigious Distinguished Flying Cross (DFC) one of which was... Read more
24-Sep-2010Source: US Dept of Defense
Bell Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $22,362,630 cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N68335-08-G-0002) for design, development, test, manufacture, and delivery of Lot IV Operational Test Program Sets (OTPSs), including production copies of the OTPSs for MV-22 and CV-22, on-site verification (OSV), and the procurement of... Read more
21-Sep-2010Source: Lockheed Martin
A developmental radio for a revolutionary Internet-Protocol tactical communications network has been delivered ahead of schedule to the U.S. Army AH-64D Integration Team. The Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] team delivered a preliminary engineering development model radio with essential Link-16 functionality to the Airborne and Maritime Fixed Station Joint Tactical Radio System (AMF JTRS) Program Office.... Read more
15-Sep-2010Source: Christie Digital Systems
Christie®, the leader in simulation projection display and visualization solutions, announced that The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has selected the award-winning Christie Matrix StIM™ simulation projection system for a multi-million dollar program to upgrade an initial 18 Apache Longbow Crew Trainer (LCT) simulators. To date, ten simulators have been completely retrofitted, with additional LCTs contracted... Read more
15-Sep-2010
Greece are planning to upgrade at least 12, and possibly a further 7, Apaches to AH-64D Longbow standard... Read more
10-Sep-2010
HeliHub.com has heard today of a third test flight accident in their unmanned A160T Hummingbird program – known in military circles as the YMQ-18. During a 45 day test program in Belize, one example crashed at the Central Farm airstrip there on 4th September. [see details] Only weeks ago on 28th July, another Hummingbird crashed... Read more
10-Sep-2010Source: Bluedrop Performance Learning
Montreal-based CAE Inc has awarded Bluedrop Performance Learning a contract to provide a comprehensive online (Computer Based Training) and classroom (Computer Aided Instruction) based courseware solution for the Boeing CH147F Chinook helicopter. This training will be developed in support of the Canadian Forces and will help pilots and other aircrew learn essential skills as part of... Read more
9-Sep-2010Source: UPI
Executive Paul Kinscherff acknowledged, “There is continued interest in tactical aircraft, rotorcraft and strategic airlift in the region.”... Read more
9-Sep-2010Source: Boeing
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] today announced changes within its Boeing Military Aircraft (BMA) business, including consolidating the organization from six divisions to four, to continue to position the company for growth in the current business environment. The realignment of the organization will take effect on Oct. 1. The four new divisions are Global Strike,... Read more
9-Sep-2010Source: The National
The UAE military sent three Chinook helicopters to Pakistan to deliver much needed humanitarian aid on August 9. The Chinooks and their crews have been continuously running relief missions in the region, delivering aid to thousands of the affected millions.... Read more
9-Sep-2010Source: Guardian
Deputy Prime Minister Nick Clegg has confirmed a new independent legal inquiry into the 1994 Mull of Kintyre helicopter disaster. RAF Chinook HC2 ZD576 crashed on the Mull of Kintyre in Western Scotland 16 years ago, killing all 29 abroad.... Read more
2-Sep-2010Source: BBC
The Chinook Project Team (IPT) and two other helicopter project teams will move to the MoD procurement site.... Read more
2-Sep-2010Source: Columbia Helicopters
Columbia Helicopters of Portland, Oregon, has successfully completed one of Nebraska’s most complex and extensive power line reconstruction missions in recent years. This followed a massive storm which raced across Buffalo and Dawson counties, Nebraska, with winds up to 100 miles per hour. The July 17 storm, which included two reported tornados, destroyed approximately 32... Read more
30-Aug-2010Source: US Marine Corps
COVENAS, Colombia — Colombian Marines search the sky as they hear a loud commotion overhead. Within minutes, three CH-46E Sea Knight helicopters creep from the trees and land at the flight line as part of a joint subject matter expert exchange on Colombian Marine Corps Base Covenas in Colombia, Aug. 13. Colombian Marines geared up... Read more
27-Aug-2010Source: Honeywell
Honeywell announced it has delivered the first 28 Honeywell T55-L-714A engines and fielding kits for the United Kingdom’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) Chinook helicopters, as part of the $185 million contract awarded last year to upgrade the existing Honeywell engines. The upgraded engines increase power by 17 percent and reduce fuel consumption by nearly 5... Read more
18-Aug-2010Source: Lockheed Martin
The U.S. Army has awarded Lockheed Martin [NYSE: LMT] a $260 million follow-on production contract for the combat-proven Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS), also known as Arrowhead®, for the AH-64D Apache attack helicopter. The Lot 7 contract includes M-TADS/PNVS systems as well as Arrowhead kits, plus spares, for delivery to U.S.... Read more
13-Aug-2010Source: Aviation Week
Boeing is studying the possible deployment of unmanned air vehicles, such as ScanEagle Compressed Carriage, from the back of the V-22 Osprey... Read more
12-Aug-2010Source: US DoD
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Rolling Meadows, Ill., is being awarded an undefinitized contract action with an estimated value of $77,655,380 for the procurement of 121 AN/AAQ-24(V) 25 Guardian laser transmitter assemblies for installation on CH-53D, CH-53E, and CH-46E helicopters, including associated technical data. The guardian laser transmitter assembly, a component of the large aircraft infrared... Read more
11-Aug-2010Source: NJ.com
Modifications are run in 24 day cycles, in which helicopters are delivered, the parts are removed, modifications are made, parts are re-installed and the aircraft are shipped back to the customer.... Read more
11-Aug-2010Source: US Marine Corps
The Department of the Navy, U.S. Marine Corps, is preparing an Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) for the basing and operation of MV-22 tiltrotor Osprey aircraft and H-1 Cobra and Huey attack helicopters in support of III Marine Expeditionary Force elements stationed in Hawai’i. Because the squadrons would train on land owned or controlled by the... Read more
10-Aug-2010Source: Wired
The Boeing A160T Hummingbird was photographed in Belize, where it was test flying a tree-penetrating Darpa radar called FORESTER. Locals were given a heads-up thanks to a press release from the U.S. Embassy.... Read more
10-Aug-2010Source: The Olympian
Boeing has notified its unions in its Pennsylvania helicopter plant that it is seeking proposals from outside suppliers to build the aft pylon on the twin-engine helicopter.... Read more
7-Aug-2010Source: Orange County Register
The Boeing Co. will close its A160 unmanned helicopter facility in Irvine by the end of 2011 and transfer the work to Mesa, Ariz.... Read more
7-Aug-2010Source: US DoD
The Boeing Co., Ridley Park, Pa., was awarded on Aug. 3 a $5,672,833 cost-plus-fixed-fee contract. The purpose of this delivery order modification is to perform 27,310 hours of engineering services support of CH-47F unique items identification candidates, non-recurring engineering. Work is to be performed in Ridley Park, Pa., with an estimated completion date of Jan.... Read more
3-Aug-2010Source: Boeing
RIDLEY TOWNSHIP, Pa., Aug. 3, 2010 — The Boeing [NYSE: BA] CH-47F Chinook helicopter was fielded July 30 by the U.S. Army’s B Company, 3rd General Support Aviation Battalion, 10th Combat Aviation Brigade, 10th Mountain Division, Fort Drum, N.Y. The 10th Mountain Division is the sixth Army unit to be trained and equipped with the... Read more
2-Aug-2010Source: Examiner
Article praises “solid progress reports” and then centres around only 70% availability in Afghanistan... Read more
30-Jul-2010Source: US DoD
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $13,803,372 firm-fixed-price modification to exercise an option to a previously awarded delivery order placed against basic ordering agreement N00019-07-G-0008 for the procurement of 107 swashplate actuators and 137 flaperon actuators for the MV-22 and CV-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in New York, N.Y., and... Read more
30-Jul-2010Source: Fokker
Fokker Aerostructures and Boeing Rotorcraft Systems have reached an agreement to develop and produce the Forward Avionics Bays for the AH-64D Apache Block III helicopters The Forward Avionics Bays (FABs), mounted on both sides of the Apache helicopters, form the housings for the aircraft’s avionics systems. The Block III FAB is based on a new... Read more
26-Jul-2010
Trials are underway for an Indian Air Force order for 22 attack helicopters with two contenders in the fray – the US’ Boeing AH-64D Apache and Russia’s Mi-28.... Read more