25-Nov-2010
Canadian media is reporting that the Canadian Ministry of Defence has quietly leased a bunch of Russian helicopters to use in southern Afghanistan.... Read more
25-Nov-2010Source: Australian Aviation
Eurcopter EC135 has been demonstrated as a contender for the ADF’s Air 9000 Phase 7 Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS) project, to Defence officials in Nowra and Canberra earlier this week.... Read more
25-Nov-2010Source: Flightglobal
The Philippine air force will receive five used Bell UH-1 transport helicopters under a deal facilitated by the US Army Security Assistance Comman... Read more
24-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded on Nov. 19 an $11,796,358 firm-fixed-price contract. This contract is for the P00253 exercises an option for one UH-60M aircraft for Jordan Foreign Military Sales Case JO-B-WAT, as well as four engineering change proposals and provides the contractor consideration for the conversion of specific government furnished equipment items... Read more
24-Nov-2010Source: defpro.com
defpro.com carried out a wide-ranging interview with Hans Georg Schiebel, Chairman of the Schiebel Group of Companies... Read more
23-Nov-2010Source: Rheinmetall
Rheinmetall and Sikorsky recently presented the Cyclone Naval Helicopter at a joint press conference in Bonn. With a view to the German Navy’s planned procurement of thirty multi-role naval helicopters to replace its current Sea King systems, the companies have joined forces with additional partners in a pioneering alliance. With spare parts for the Sea... Read more
23-Nov-2010Source: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin scored a hit on a main battle tank at sixkilometers in a company-funded, multiple-mission firing of its Joint Air-to-Ground Missile (JAGM). The complex flight test at White Sands Missile Range, NM, demonstrated the ability of the imaging infrared (I2R) sensor in the missile’s cooled tri-mode seeker to lock on before launch at extended... Read more
23-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $20,341,169 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0020) to exercise an option for maintenance services in support of the MV-22 and CV-22 AE1107C engines, including low power repairs and program management and site support. Work will be performed in Oakland, Calif. (70 percent). and Indianapolis, Ind.... Read more
23-Nov-2010Source: HeliHub.com
In the last week, the HeliHub.com team have filed the 7,000th news story on this website. The most recent 1,000 stories were filed in just under 11 weeks, equating to 92 stories a week – peaking one week in October with an incredible 121 stories. This remarkable effort shows the team’s dedication to the task,... Read more
23-Nov-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Serbia has recently inducted Anja Krneta as the first female helicopter pilot in their air force. A profile of Anja appears in the latest edition of the military magazine Odbrana (issue 124) and is available in local language at http://www.odbrana.mod.gov.rs/odbrana124/41.pdf... Read more
23-Nov-2010
To allow the Canadian Forces to begin training its helicopter crews, the government agreed at the time to start taking the delivery of a few “interim†aircraft on Nov. 30 of this year.... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: NZ Defence Force
The courage, commitment and leadership shown by Squadron Leader Mike Cannon, of Feilding, has earned him this year’s New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) Person of the Year award. SQNLDR Cannon, who is a Helicopter Crewman Officer (HCM) at the Royal New Zealand Air Force Base at Ohakea, was responsible for implementing the first Manawatu Leadership... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: Defense Update
Sikorsky director for light tactical helicopters Douglas Shidler said the company was currently looking at potential suppliers and is expected to finalize the team in 2 to 3 months.... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the third and final AW159 test aircraft successfully completed its maiden flight on November 19th at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility in the UK. During its maiden flight a range of general handling checks were completed and it performed as expected. The aircraft, designated TI3, is the third... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: US Army
As part of upgrading the Army’s air fleet, 140 of 345 planned UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopters have been delivered and are currently being broken-in throughout the force. Aiding homeland security, search and rescue missions, medical evacuations, and security and support, Lakotas are smaller, more affordable and more technologically advanced than older counterparts such as... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: ITT
ITT Corporation has delivered its first major structural subassemblies for the CH-53K heavy lift helicopter to Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. This delivery culminates nearly three years of advanced design, development, testing and manufacturing to provide sponsons for the CH-53K helicopter. These assemblies represent a significant technology advancement by applying composite... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: AIN
The U.S. National Commission on Fiscal Responsibility and Reform drafted a document which suggests ending procurement of the Bell-Boeing V-22 Osprey tiltrotor and slashing the planned buy of Lockheed Martin F-35 Joint Strike Fighters.... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded a $10,085,840 firm-fixed-price delivery order against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-07-G-0008) for non-recurring efforts required to complete the fuel jettison mission management restriction removal engineering change proposal (ECP) for the Air Force CV-22. This ECP will remove the fuel jettison restriction allowing the aircrew... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: US DoD
Lockheed Martin Electronics and Fire Control, Orlando, Fla., was awarded in Nov. 12 a $22,855,083 firm-fixed-price contract for life cycle contractor support, which includes management and logistics functions for the fire control radar system on all government Apache AH-64D helicopters. This requirement is comprised of depot repair, replenishment spares, spares and/or repair parts, sustainment /engineering... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: Novinite
The 12th Cougar helicopter arrived from France on Friday, and was received at the Krumovo base of the Bulgarian Air Force. The Cougar was flown from France by a Bulgarian crew. [File photo. The last Cougar is serial 712]... Read more
22-Nov-2010Source: BAE Systems
BAE Systems has delivered the first order of a new helmet-mounted optical sighting system to the Royal Navy, addressing a mission-critical need for increased air door gunner situational awareness on helicopters. BAE Systems, prime contractor for the Lynx PT, earlier this month delivered 12 Q-Sightâ„¢ Gunner Remote Sighting Systems (GRSS) that are qualified for use... Read more
21-Nov-2010Source: Virtual Simulation Systems
The UK Ministry of Defence has signed a deal with Australian based company, Virtual Simulation Systems (VSS, established by the founder of the popular VBS series of software, David Lagettie) for the lease of a Complete Aircrew Training System (CATS) for up to 3 years. The system will be delivered to the Army Air Corps’... Read more
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
21-Nov-2010Source: ABC
The first of the Navy’s new MRH 90 helicopters have arrived at the naval air station HMAS Albatross at Nowra ready to begin replacing the ageing Sea King fleet... Read more
21-Nov-2010Source: Ocean City Today
Ocean City council have funded the transportation of the UH-1 from Pennsylvania on the basis that Ocean City Aviation Association reimburses them over time... Read more
21-Nov-2010Source: Interfax
The commander of the helicopter unit of the military unit in Glebychevo (Leningrad region) is suspected in the murder of a colleague... Read more
19-Nov-2010Source: US Navy
PATUXENT RIVER, Md. (NNS) — Moving closer to achieving the objective of decreasing its need for petroleum-based fuels, the Navy flew an MH60S Sea Hawk on a 50/50 biofuel blend Nov. 18 in Patuxent River, Md. The helicopter, from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron 21 at Naval Air Station Patuxent River, Md., tested a fuel... 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
19-Nov-2010Source: Janes
The new container was developed by the IDF’s Technological and Logistics Directorate and the Israeli Ministry of Defence’s (MoD’s) Research and Development Directorate (MAFAT).... Read more
19-Nov-2010Source: Shephard
The future make-up of the UK’s military helicopter fleet remains unclear following the release of the government’s Strategic Defence and Security Review (SDSR) as acquisition officials mull over its ramifications.... Read more
19-Nov-2010Source: Shephard
The Netherlands government is considering contracting in some level of night-time search and rescue (SAR) capability due to delays in the delivery of NH90 multirole helicopters.... Read more
19-Nov-2010Source: Flightglobal
China has delivered several Harbin Z-9W helicopters, the attack variant of its Z-9 utility rotorcraft, to overseas customers.... Read more
18-Nov-2010Source: Flightglobal
Israel’s Aeronautics Defense Systems has performed the first flight of its Picador unmanned rotorcraft.... Read more
18-Nov-2010Source: Uniflight
North Texas based, Uniflight has announced the recent overhaul and refurbishment of five Bell 412 helicopters for the Honduran Air Force. The extensive project included a complete overhaul and inspection of the airframe, engines and all dynamic components as well as an avionics upgrade and modernization. Much of the work was performed in Honduras with... Read more
18-Nov-2010Source: Shephard
The Royal Navy (RN) is carrying out an operational evaluation of a new helmet-mounted optical sighting system that will be issued to Lynx Mk8 helicopter door gunners.... Read more
18-Nov-2010Source: Shephard
The commander of the UK’s Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) says his organisation is facing a challenging time over the next decade.... Read more
18-Nov-2010Source: Shephard
The US military faces a significant drop in rotorcraft capability in the next 15 years unless a major effort is launched to develop new aircraft for the major services in the near term.... Read more
17-Nov-2010Source: Infinite Power Solutions
Infinite Power Solutions, Inc. (IPS) today announced that it has secured a design win for its award-winning THINERGY® solid-state, rechargeable, Micro-Energy Cell (MEC) product with MicroStrain, Inc., a leading supplier of micro-miniature, highly durable sensors and sensing systems for use in structural health monitoring. IPS’ THINERGY MECs have been incorporated into a comprehensive wireless sensor... Read more
17-Nov-2010Source: Pacific Aviation Museum
Marine Corps Base Hawaii pilots CDR Brian Gebo and Lt. Brian Roberts brought a Sikorsky SH-60B Seahawk helicopter in for its final landing at its new home at Pacific Aviation Museum Pearl Harbor, this morning, Tuesday, November 16, at 11am. “This fly-in was very exciting for us. It’s an acquisition for the Museum through a... 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
16-Nov-2010Source: Seattle Times
Accident report on HeliHub.com of this 7th July 2010 accident is here... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: AAI
Nov 15, 2010 — AAI, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that its team has been selected to participate in Phase I of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) Transformer program. The winning team also includes fellow Textron businesses Bell Helicopter and Textron Marine & Land... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: Financial Times
A recommendation to the Treasury proposes pressing ahead with the Soteria consortium, comprising Thales UK, Royal Bank of Scotland and CHC, a helicopter operator, which was chosen as preferred bidder in February. A decision is expected in the next fortnight.... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: Eurocopter
Zhuhai, China, 16 November 2010 Eurocopter is proud to present its AS350 B3 Ecureuil helicopter – the latest newcomer in China – and the EC225, the Chinese market’s leading heavy twin-engine helicopter, at the Airshow China 2010 in Zhuhai. The company’s presence at this week’s biennial event includes the static display of an AS350 B3... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: Eurocopter
Zhuhai, China, 16 November 2010 A five-year development plan for the expansion of capabilities at COHC General Aviation Maintenance & Engineering Co., Ltd. (CGAMEC) in China has been signed by Eurocopter and the two other shareholders of this jointly-owned operation, Citic Offshore Helicopter Co. Ltd. (COHC) and Samwell Aviation. The Memorandum of Agreement (MoA) is... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: Turbomeca
During Airshow China in Zhuhai, Turbomeca (Safran group), leading manufacturer of gas turbines for helicopters, announces the signature of a contract for 90 Arriel 2C engines with CATIC (China Aviation Technology Import-Export Corporation) and AVIC International (AVIC International Holding Corporation) for their respective export markets. The first engines will be delivered this year. “This new... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: Turbomeca
During Airshow China in Zuhai, Turbomeca (Safran group), leading manufacturer of gas turbines for helicopters, announces the signature of a contract for 80 Arriel 2C engines kits with AVIC International (AVIC International Holding Corporation) under the witness of SAIC (South Aero-engine Industry Corporation). First deliveries are scheduled for 2011. “In the frame of our cooperation... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: Sikorsky
MIELEC, Poland – An S-70i™ BLACK HAWK helicopter has flown in Poland for the first time, marking an historic milestone for the helicopter line being produced by Sikorsky Aircraft’s company in Poland, PZL Mielec. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). PZL Mielec is the final assembly center for the S-70i helicopter,... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant
Following the results of Federal stage of the 13th all-Russia contest Program “100 the best goods of Russia”, Mi-171 Helicopter produced by JSC “Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant” (UUAP) was among awardees of nomination “the goods of production-technical purpose”. Besides, management of the contest’s Program awarded to UUAP the distinctive decorations “For achievements in quality” and “The... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: Kaman
Kaman Corporation (“Kaman”) announced today pricing of $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount of 3.25% convertible senior notes due 2017 (the “Convertible Notes”). The Convertible Notes were offered in a private placement solely to qualified institutional buyers pursuant to Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”). The $100,000,000 aggregate principal amount... Read more
16-Nov-2010Source: US Army Europe
WIESBADEN, Germany — Investigators were unable to determine the cause of the Feb. 3 Army helicopter crash that killed three U.S. soldiers near Mannheim, Germany, but revealed several miscues made by the unit and the flight crew before takeoff. The purpose of the ill-fated UH-60 flight, dubbed Duke 27, was to conduct pilot proficiency training,... Read more
15-Nov-2010
This new system will serve the entire fleet of AS350 Squirrel in operation in Brazil of about 300 aircraft, with Helibras already negotiating its use in modernizing the fleet of 36 such models belonging to the Brazilian army.... Read more
13-Nov-2010Source: Dutch Ministry of Defence
[electronic translation from Dutch press release] The latest Defence Helicopter, the NH-90, has 13 Mk46 torpedoes successfully dropped over the Marsdiep in Den Helder. This was the first time and represents a major milestone towards full deployment. The torpedoes were dropped under various operating conditions such as high and low speeds at various heights and... Read more
13-Nov-2010Source: Flightglobal
Italy’s army aviation command plans to upgrade its AgustaWestland AW129C attack helicopters to a new configuration referred to as “G19”... Read more
13-Nov-2010Source: New Zealand Government
The New Zealand Government has recently issued its Defence White Paper 2010, and the following paragraphs are relevant to their military helicopter operations:- 5.31 Over the next two years, the programme to bring the new helicopter fleet into service will continue. These new helicopters will represent a step-change in the support given to land forces.... Read more
12-Nov-2010Source: Kaman
Kaman Aerostructures, a division of Kaman Aerospace Corporation, today formally inaugurated its new state of the art manufacturing facility in the city of Chihuahua. On hand for the ceremony were Alberto Chretin Castillo, Secretary of the Economy representing César Horacio Duarte Jáquez, Governor of the State of Chihuahua; Marco Adán Quezada Martinez, Mayor of Chihuahua;... Read more
12-Nov-2010Source: Flightglobal
Jakarta has earmarked $65 million for new medium utility helicopters, but the Indonesian defence ministry has yet to receive the funds... Read more
11-Nov-2010
The US Government Accountability Office has denied a protest by Sikorsky that the US Navy unfairly excluded it from competing for a multi-billion dollar helicopter contract... Read more
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