11-Nov-2010Source: Financial Times
Labour MPs have asked the coalition why millions in state funding has been promised to a helicopter factory in a Liberal Democrat constituency in spite of claims there was “no money†for such grants.... Read more
11-Nov-2010Source: EMTEQ
EMTEQ has been selected by the US Department of Defense (DoD) and the Office of Naval Research for Phase I of the Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program to develop a rotor blade tip lighting system. Firms with the capability to conduct research and development (R&D) and to commercialize the results of that R&D are... Read more
11-Nov-2010Source: Star Gazette
Sikorsky’s future in the Southern Tier was extended by at least 12 years Wednesday when they signed a lease and committed $10 million to occupy and renovate the Wings of Eagles Discovery Center in Big Flats... 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: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com is having great success with its “Gallery†feature, recording over 4,000 images and increasing at a rate of approximately 350 per month The Flickr gallery provides users of HeliHub.com the opportunity to upload their own photos, and the early success is demonstrating just how valuable this will become over time. HeliHub.com plans to utilise... Read more
9-Nov-2010Source: Dassault Systemes
Dassault Systemes (DS), a world leader in 3D and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, announced today that Bell Helicopter, a Textron company, is using its V6 PLM platform to improve collaboration and decrease the amount of time it takes to bring a new helicopter to market. As part of an effort to improve business processes... 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: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that it has been awarded a contract for nine T129 combat helicopters. The contract is valued at €150 million also including a spare parts package. The nine T129 helicopters will be assembled by Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) and delivered by mid 2012 in a basic configuration,... 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
9-Nov-2010Source: Pratt & Whitney Canada
The Global Aerospace Centre for Icing and Environmental Research (GLACIER) Inc., a limited joint venture company comprising Rolls-Royce Canada and Pratt & Whitney Canada, has officially opened its new, state-of-the-art cold weather testing and research facility for aircraft engines, in northern Canada. The new facility specializes in ice tests for civil aerospace engine certification programs,... Read more
9-Nov-2010Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) and the U.S. Army Aviation Applied Technology Directorate have signed a $30 million Technology Investment Agreement to develop state-of-the-art drive system technology under the Future Advanced Rotorcraft Drive System (FARDS) program. The FARDS program is focused on critical performance and affordability enhancing drive system technologies for the... Read more
8-Nov-2010Source: Tata Advanced Systems
Tata Advanced Systems Ltd. (TASL) Sunday unveiled the first Sikorsky-92 helicopter cabin manufactured at its facility at the aerospace and precision engineering Special Economic Zone (SEZ) on the outskirts of Hyderabad. TASL is scheduled to deliver the first cabin later this month to US-based Sikorsky Aircraft Corp, one of the world’s largest helicopter manufacturers and... Read more
5-Nov-2010
The 8,000 sq.m building, which cost about NZ$26M, will be home to the Defence Force’s 13 new helicopters – eight NH90s and five A109LUHs... 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
5-Nov-2010Source: National Museum of the USAF
The National Museum of the United States Air Force is currently performing a detailed restoration of a historic Sikorsky HH-3 “Jolly Green Giant” rescue helicopter. The HH-3 has been in museum storage with the Aerospace Maintenance and Regeneration Group located at Davis-Monthan Air Force Base, Ariz., and was recently transported to the museum’s restoration facility... Read more
5-Nov-2010
Italian defense group Finmeccanica has sold helicopters, including the AgustaWestland AW101 and the AW139, to the government of Turkmenistan, the firm said Nov. 4... Read more
5-Nov-2010Source: Dubai Helishow
The 4th edition of the Dubai Helishow, the Middle East’s largest trade show for the helicopter industry, came to end today. The three day event, held at the Dubai Airport Expo Centre, attracted a record number of senior level buyers and visitors from around the world. The show, the industry’s third largest exhibition in the... Read more
5-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Canadian Commercial Corp., Ottawa, Canada, is being awarded a $65,741,000 option year modification for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services. Work will be subcontracted to Canadian Helicopters, Ltd., and performed in Afghanistan, and the option will start Nov. 1, 2010, to be... Read more
5-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Evergreen Helicopters, Inc., McMinnville, Ore., is being awarded a $25,287,200 option year modification for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services. Work will be performed in Afghanistan, and the option will start Nov. 1, 2010, to be completed by Oct. 31, 2011. This... Read more
5-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Nueva Zona De Aviacion General, Bogota, Colombia, is being awarded a $139,038,859 option year modification for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services. Work will be performed in Afghanistan, and the option will start Nov. 1, 2010, to be completed by Oct. 31,... Read more
5-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Presidential Airways, Inc., an Aviation Worldwide Services Co., Camden, N.C., is being awarded a $94,367,844 option year modification for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation services. Work will be performed in Afghanistan, and the option will start Nov. 1, 2010, to be completed... Read more
4-Nov-2010Source: Police Aviation News
The Armed Forces of Malta’s Air Wing has completed a €2M refit project which saw the installation of new turbine engines and top of the range avionics on one of its Islanders as well as the full return to service of a third Aerospatiale SA316B Alouette helicopter. The project, which was co-financed by the European... 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: Employee Benefits
Spokesman for AgustaWestland, said: “It enables us to provide an online resource to our members and trustees which is flexible, easy to maintain and at relatively low cost. Our early indications show the members are very happy with the website we have developed.â€... 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
4-Nov-2010Source: Dubai Helishow
The fourth edition of the Dubai Helishow, inaugurated by Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Art, continued to attract the region’s leading stakeholders in civil, medical, military, and search and rescue sector with day one seeing the confirmation of a deal between the UAE Airforce and Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation.... Read more
3-Nov-2010Source: Vancouver Sun
The Defence Department is looking at whether it should buy U.S. President Barack Obama’s helicopter cast-offs as spare parts for the Canadian air force’s Cormorant SAR fleet... Read more
3-Nov-2010Source: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) announced that the U.S. Army initiated a contract for the OH-58 “A2D” cabin conversion upgrade program for the highly successful OH-58 platform. “We are pleased and proud that the United States Army has awarded us the first phase of the “A2D” agreement,” said John L. Garrison, president... Read more
3-Nov-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Bloomberg are today reporting that the Italian Air Force has ordered 10 SAR AW139s and 12 Combat AW101s, quoting unnamed people close to the company. THe order is valued at about 1.2 billion euros ($1.7 billion). The finances were approved on 13th October by the Italian Senate’s Defence Committee, accoridng to the Italian Government’s website.... Read more
2-Nov-2010Source: US Army
orpus Christ Army Depot sent its first OH-58D Kiowa Warrior back to the fight during a roll-out ceremony held in the depot’s Hangar 44, Oct. 14, 2010. The unprecedented OH-58D crash battle damage repair is the first step to increasing the number of Kiowa Warriors at a time when cost-effective measures are critical to support... Read more
2-Nov-2010Source: Eurocopter
Marignane, France, 2 November 2010 Eurocopter will mark its 30-plus year presence in the Middle East and Arabian Gulf region with a major participation at this week’s Dubai Helishow 2010, underscoring its helicopter product line’s capabilities for evolving applications that include anti-piracy, counter-insurgency and border patrol missions; corporate and VVIP transportation; emergency medical airlift; search... Read more
2-Nov-2010Source: Dubai Helishow
The much-awaited fourth edition of the Dubai Helishow, the Middle East’s largest trade show for the helicopter industry, opened its doors today at the Dubai Airport Expo Centre. The three-day event was inaugurated by Sheikh Majid bin Mohammed bin Rashid Al-Maktoum, Chairman of Dubai Culture and Art Authority. Held under the patronage of His Highness... Read more
2-Nov-2010Source: Rubb Building Systems
Rubb Building Systems and Cocoon, Inc. recently collaborated in the installation of a fixedbase maintenance hangar for Army Fleet Support. Based at the Fort Rucker Army Base in Alabama, the helicopter hangar shall be used for training and maintenance of several types of Helicopters. The structure has a clear span width of 150′ wide, utilizes... Read more
1-Nov-2010Source: Hindustan Times
Helicopters of either MI-17 series or of equivalent capability, which can fly both at day and night, may be deployed before the end of the year.... Read more
1-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Kaman Aerospace Corp., Bloomfield, Conn., is being awarded an undefinitized contract action with a not-to-exceed value of $18,125,727 for engineering technical services in support of the Egyptian Air Force’s H-2 program under the Foreign Military Sales program. Services to be provided include in-country support for operational mission requirements. Work will be performed in Bloomfield, Conn.... Read more
1-Nov-2010Source: 24 Heures
Last Friday in the morning, two military helicopters were hit by a laser beam above Vevey. Based on indications of crews, Vaud cantonal police could identify and question the author. He has been charged.... Read more
1-Nov-2010Source: CT Post
The planned 12,000 square-foot building is one-story with a mezzanine for storage The structure would not expand the footprint of Sikorsky’s Stratford campus.... Read more
1-Nov-2010Source: Times of India
The first helicopter cabin manufactured by Tata Advanced Systems in the aerospace SEZ in Ranga Reddy district will be delivered next week.... Read more
1-Nov-2010Source: Army Times
The U.S. Air Force is close to finalizing a sole-source deal to buy up to 93 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the U.S. Army, according to defense industry sources.... Read more
30-Oct-2010Source: World Tribune
The administration of President Barack Obama, despite an aid freeze by Congress and concerns about Iran’s presence in the country via the dominant Hizbullah organization, has pledged to build Lebanon’s Air Force.... Read more
29-Oct-2010Source: AVN
Bolivian Government has confirmed that they are evaluating a proposal from Iran to supply helicopters. No reference is made to whether they, or any other manufacturer, was asked to submit tenders.... 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
29-Oct-2010
Paraguay has a total of four AS350s built by the Helibras factory in Brazil. One of these has been lost in an accident.... Read more
29-Oct-2010Source: El Heraldo
The five Bell 412 helicopters were officially handed over to President Porfirio Lobo... Read more
29-Oct-2010Source: Vuelo Libre
New facility expected to generate 10,000 direct and indirect jobs and stimulate the market for suppliers of parts of the aviation sector,... Read more
29-Oct-2010Source: NATO Training Mission
The Afghan Air Force Kandahar Air Wing (KAW) recently completed its first 100-hour maintenance phase inspection on a Mi-17 transport helicopter. A nine-person Afghan Tiger Team from Kabul, plus NATO advisors taught KAW’s maintainers how to conduct the 100-hour phase inspection: what to do, what to look for and how to document their findings and... Read more
29-Oct-2010Source: The World
Federal investigators contend the company sold knock-off parts to the Defense Department, including nonconforming helicopter parts for the Kentucky Army National Guard.... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Safran
The forecasts are spectacular: as from 2025, Russia, China and India should account between them for 50% of the world’s helicopter market, civil and military combined. Of these three countries, China is certainly the one that offers the greatest opportunities. Yet even though aerospace ranks among the priorities of the 11th five-year plan in China,... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Northrop Grumman
The Northrop Grumman Corporation-built (NYSE:NOC) MQ-8B Fire Scout vertical unmanned aerial system (VUAS) has passed the 1,000 flight test hours milestone, attesting to its steady maturation as a key intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance asset for military forces. Northrop Grumman is the Navy’s Fire Scout prime contractor. To reach this milestone, the VUAS completed a number... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter – whose partnership with Greek authorities continues to strengthen in the military, public and parapublic sectors – will showcase a wide range of solutions that meet the country’s helicopter requirements at the Defensys 2010 exhibition, being held in Thessaloniki on 28-31 October. The company’s stand (Hall 13, Stand 49) will feature models from different... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Dubai Helishow
With less than a week to go, the Middle East helicopter industry is gearing up for the eagerly anticipated Dubai Helishow Show 2010. The fourth edition of the Dubai Helishow – the International Civil and Military Helicopter Technology and Operations Exhibition will cater to the region’s rising civil, medical, military, and search and rescue sector... 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: Royal Danish Air Force
[Electronic translation of Danish language press release] Helicopter platform at the top of the Empire became a reality after a donation from the AP Møller and Chastine McKinney Møller Foundation for General Purposes and has numerous advantages over the previous solution; In the old days landed rescue helicopter Fælledparken and the patient should therefore first... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Flightglobal
Eurocopter chief executive Lutz Bertling believes he has a winning formula to see his company safely through the recession: drastically increase spending on research and development... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: The Sun
Married Chris Hearn, 48, is accused of “propositioning” a female cleaner at the Army Air Corps base in Middle Wallop, Hants.... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Russian Helicopters
Russian Helicopters, the Russian helicopter engineering holding company, a part of United Industrial Corporation Oboronprom, and the Russian Center for Scientific and Technical Services Dinamika (CSTS Dinamika) have signed a cooperation agreement in the marketing, development, production, and delivery of technical training means for flight and engineering personnel operating Russian-made rotorcraft. Under this agreement the... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Sikorsky
The U.S. Navy has already taken delivery of the 76th MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission helicopter. But it is the benchmark 75th delivery, celebrated on October 13, that marked more than just a new Seahawk for the fleet. It represented a renewed focus on streamlined production and affordability. “Over the last year, MS2 has devoted its resources... 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
28-Oct-2010Source: Italian Navy
[Electronic translation of Italian language press release] It ‘began Oct. 4 and will run until 13, the transfer with a C-17 aircraft of the U.S. Air Force three- EH-101 helicopters that the Navy should operate in Afghanistan to support the operations of the NATO-led force, known as ISAF – International Security and Assistance Force. The... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Cavok
The first EC725 of the Brazilian Navy’s order for 16 was officially handed over in a ceremony at Eurocopter’s factory at Marignane, France. The EC725 will be known in Brazil as the UH-15 and operated by the “HU-2 Pegasus” unit... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Eurocopter
Two strategic agreements signed today establish the framework for Eurocopter’s creation of a 50/50 joint venture in Kazakhstan to assemble EC145 helicopters, along with the sale of 45 of these locally-assembled aircraft for government missions in the country. The first accord is a framework agreement between Eurocopter and Kazakhstan Engineering to create a 50/50 joint... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: EADS North America
As its role in American military operations expands, the EADS North America-supplied UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter continues to receive high marks from the U.S. Army for its performance and mission diversity. These key qualities were underscored today during a joint program update for journalists in Washington, D.C., where officials from the Army and EADS... Read more
28-Oct-2010Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced an order for two upgraded S-61â„¢ utility helicopters for use in Afghanistan to support drug interdiction efforts. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). Earlier this year, the State Department entered into a five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity... Read more
27-Oct-2010Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com maintains what we believe to be the most comprehensive record of helicopter accidents and incidents on the internet. Here is our report for September 2010 Useful Links * Civil Accidents * Military Accidents * Fatal Accidents – both civil and military * 2009 Annual Review of Fatal Accidents * Safety News September 2010 was... Read more
27-Oct-2010Source: Luftwaffe
[Electronic translation from German original] On 1 October 2010 was placed under a solemn appeal to the air base Holzdorf the only helicopter squadron of the Air Force. On 21 October 2010 was this helicopter squadron (HSG) 64 the first helicopter of the type NH-90. The new transport helicopter was flown by Lieutenant Colonel Reiner... 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: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE:TXT) company, is pleased to announce 14 employee winners of the 2010 Lawrence D. Bell Pioneer Award. With this recognition, four Bell teams are advancing to the final stage of the Chairman’s Award for Innovation, a corporate Textron competition honoring innovators whose exemplary innovations have led to significant improvements and... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin UK – Integrated Systems and strategic partner, AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, announced today that MCSP01, the first upgraded Royal Navy Merlin Mk2 helicopter has performed a successful maiden flight at the AgustaWestland facility in Yeovil. The 35 minute first flight went as planned and the initial flight test phase will focus on testing... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: Daily Record
The MoD have accepted liability, but the exact settlement has yet to be decided. The men are suing for “injury, loss and damage”. The accident happened in August 2007 during low-level flight near the Army’s Catterick base.... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: Defense News
Turkey and AgustaWestland will sign a contract this week for the urgent production of nine T129 attack helicopters, the company’s top official announced today... 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: Bell
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company (NYSE: TXT) announced that the U.S. Army Aviation awarded a new designation for the highly successful OH 58 platform. “We are pleased and proud that the United States Army has awarded the OH 58 “F†designation to our helicopter,†said John L. Garrison, president and chief executive officer of... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: EADS North America
Arlington, Virginia, October 26, 2010 – The UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter, which is supplied by EADS North America, has surpassed the 40,000-flight hour milestone in operational service with the U.S. Army and Army National Guard. Built at the company’s American Eurocopter facility in Columbus, Miss., a total of 138 Lakotas have been delivered to... Read more
26-Oct-2010Source: Latitude Technologies
Victoria, British Columbia, October 25, 2010 — Latitude Technologies Corp. of Victoria, BC, has been awarded the contract to supply up to 95 of its SkyNode® S200 satellite communication systems for the Canadian Department of National Defence (DND) CH-146 Griffon helicopter fleet. The contract is the result of Latitude’s diligent work over the years to... Read more
