6-Jan-2010Source: Rotorhub
Spanish medical evacuation helicopters have marked a milestone 3,000 flying hours in Afghanistan.... Read more
6-Jan-2010Source: AAR
AAR (NYSE: AIR) announced today that it has signed a Memorandum of Agreement (MOA) with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation under which the two companies will work together to identify opportunities to expand their business relationship. In addition, AAR was named the exclusive supplier of composite interiors for the Sikorsky S-92® helicopter program and will provide precision... Read more
6-Jan-2010Source: DGA
The Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) has ordered the renovation of a second batch of five Cougar helicopters, including 4 from the Army and one from the Air Force. These are part of the contract to upgrade 27 Cougars, reported to Eurocopter in January 2008 amounting to 220 million euros. The goal of the renovation... Read more
6-Jan-2010
As the Dutch Ministry of Defence (MoD) confirmed shortly before Christmas, the Dutch Armed Forces has taken delivery of the first NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH), the naval version of NHIndustries’ NH90. However, this first helicopter (designated NNLN03), from a total order of 12 NH90 NFH for the Netherlands, is not yet ready to be deployed... Read more
6-Jan-2010Source: Marine Corps Times
Eventually, all Marine and Navy assault support rotary wing aircraft will be equipped with the M3M FN Herstal GAU-21 .50-caliber machine gun.... Read more
6-Jan-2010Source: Sikorsky
Helicopter Support Inc. (HSI) today announced the signing of a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Goodrich Corporation to collaboratively promote an advanced aircraft maintenance solution to the worldwide rotary aircraft market. HSI is a support and distribution company of Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS), the aftermarket business of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary... Read more
5-Jan-2010
The Russian Army will receive the latest state-of-the-art Ka-52 helicopters along with the Mi-28N, upgraded Mi-8 and Mi-26 helicopters in 2010... Read more
5-Jan-2010Source: Textron
Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) will release its fourth quarter 2009 financial results on Thursday, January 28, 2010. The company will also host a conference call at 9:00 a.m. (Eastern) to discuss the results and the company’s outlook. The call will be available via webcast at www.textron.com or by direct dial at (877) 209-9919 in the... Read more
5-Jan-2010Source: Aurora Flight Sciences
Aurora Flight Sciences announced that it reached and successfully completed its Critical Design Review (CDR) and 100% model release milestones for the CH-53K main rotor pylon (MRP) program. These two events define the transition from engineering design to manufacturing of the MRP structure for the System Development and Demonstration SDD aircraft. “Aurora Flight Sciences is... Read more
5-Jan-2010Source: Boeing
Boeing announced that a fifth U.S. Army unit has fielded the CH-47F Chinook helicopter. The 6th Battalion, 101st Combat Aviation Brigade, based at Fort Campbell, Ky., completed all required training and officially assumed operation of 12 CH-47F Chinooks on Dec. 8. “I am proud of B Company for completing the CH-47F New Equipment Fielding and... Read more
1-Jan-2010Source: Helicopters magazine
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30-Dec-2009Source: Raytheon
The TALON LGR rounds were launched from a U.S. Army OH-58D Kiowa Warrior and hit targets at 3,500 meters (2.17 miles). This exceeded accuracy requirements for the Department of Defense’s Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System II program.... Read more
30-Dec-2009Source: Alabama Live
The new UH-72A Lakota will be unveiled at 10 a.m. on Jan. 9 at Army Aviation Support Facility No. 2 at Birmingham-Shuttlesworth International Airport... Read more
24-Dec-2009Source: BAE Systems
BAE Systems has successfully installed the Advanced Threat Infrared Countermeasures (ATIRCM) system on U.S. Army CH-47D Chinook aircraft.... Read more
24-Dec-2009Source: AgustaWestland
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24-Dec-2009Source: Mizzima
Quoting a high-level source in ‘Rosoboronexport’, close to the Russia-Burma negotiation process, Nikolsky said the contract includes delivering 20 MiG-29 fighter jets worth Euro 400 million (US$ 570 million) and 8 to 10 Mi-35 attack helicopters worth Euro 50 million (US$ 71 million).... Read more
23-Dec-2009Source: AgustaWestland
The order represents the third helicopter to be sold to the Korea Coast Guard and the sixth AW139 helicopter to be sold to the Republic of Korea... Read more
23-Dec-2009Source: Rotorhub
The Swiss federal procurement, technology and real estate competence centre, armasuisse, handed over the last of 20 EC635 helicopters to the Swiss Air Force.... Read more
22-Dec-2009Source: Northrop Grumman
Fire Scout was equipped with the Telephonics’ radar and FLIR Electro Optical Infrared system, and highlighted the versatility of the unmanned helicopter’s modular payload architecture and its flexibility in integrating off-the-shelf payloads.... Read more
22-Dec-2009Source: Ottawa Citizen
Sea trials for the new Cyclone helicopter will take place before the end of January on the east coast, Defence Watch has been told. Sources originally said the first of the new maritime helicopters was supposed to arrive at CFB Shearwater in December but now that delivery has slipped slightly.... Read more
22-Dec-2009Source: Atlanta Journal-Constitution
The aircraft are part of more than $604 million worth of vehicles and equipment that the U.S. plans to give Mexico in the coming months.... Read more
22-Dec-2009Source: Korea Times
AgustaWestland is bidding for a contract to provide Korea with its T-129 attack helicopters. The T-129, being developed for the Turkish Army, is an upgraded variant of the Agusta A129 Mangusta... Read more
22-Dec-2009Source: Royal Navy
Chief Petty Officer Aircrewman Dave Rigg, serving in 771 Naval Air Squadron based at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose in Cornwall, has been awarded the Queen’s Gallantry Medal for his part in a dramatic rescue operation far to the southwest of Land’s End... Read more
21-Dec-2009Source: Business Week
Albania signed a euro78.6 million ($113.2 million) deal Friday to buy five military helicopters from France-based Eurocopter.... Read more
21-Dec-2009Source: Korea Times
The Defense Acquisition Program Administration is in favor of developing a homegrown light attack helicopter under the Korea Attack Helicopter program, multiple military sources said Sunday.... Read more
21-Dec-2009Source: Forsvaret
Three helicopters at Bardufoss Air Station and three computers in Maymana, highlighted that the Armed Forces Bell 412 has flown 100 ,000 hours.... Read more
21-Dec-2009Source: Boeing
Boeing have confirmed the Nov. 30 delivery of the first converted Chinook Mk3 helicopter to the Royal Air Force... Read more
21-Dec-2009Source: Defense Industry Daily
The Australian government recently announced a multi-year In Service Support contract to BAE Systems Australia Ltd... Read more
18-Dec-2009Source: Rotorhub
The government of the Czech Republic has announced it is deploying helicopters to Afghanistan for the first time.... Read more
18-Dec-2009Source: Falmouth Packet
The announcement by the Secretary of State for Defence concerning the future plans for UK military helicopters will have a positive effect on operations at RNAS Culdrose.... Read more
18-Dec-2009Source: LaBarge
LaBarge has been awarded a multi-year contract valued at approximately $18.9 million from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to produce electronic assemblies for various models of UH-60 BLACK HAWK helicopters through 2014... Read more
18-Dec-2009Source: US Navy
The newest MV-22 Osprey flight trainer was delivered to Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Calif. Nov.16. The fully self-contained, $8.6 million containerized flight training device (CFTD) is the second of four MV-22 trainers for fleet use at MCAS Miramar, Calif.... Read more
18-Dec-2009Source: QinetiQ
QinetiQ has successfully completed the integration of a beyond-line-of-sight (BLOS) satellite communications system into each of the RAF’s fleet of 22 Mk3 Merlin’s in preparation for their possible deployment to Afghanistan.... Read more
18-Dec-2009Source: BAE Systems
BAE Systems, in concert with the U.S. Navy and Marine Corps, scored four hits in four shots during the final phase of integrated testing of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS), a technology that adds low-cost precision laser guidance to 2.75-inch airborne rockets.... Read more
18-Dec-2009Source: Canadian Dept of National Defence
The Honourable Peter MacKay, Minister of National Defence and Minister for the Atlantic Gateway, announced that Canada’s new fleet of 15 F-model Chinook helicopters will be based at Canadian Forces Base Petawawa, Ontario.... Read more
18-Dec-2009Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Global Helicopters announced that its Light Helicopters Division has delivered the first two S-434(TM) helicopters to the Ministry of Interior, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia [Note: This is in line with Sikorsky’s official press release, but HeliHub.com reported this delivery on 17th June 2009….]... Read more
17-Dec-2009Source: Scheibel
Schiebel recently conducted, in cooperation with Boeing, a demonstration for the U.S. Army Special Operations Command (USASOC) at Ft. Bragg, North Carolina, integrating the CAMCOPTER® S-100 and ground unmanned systems for psychological operation missions in-theatre.... Read more
15-Dec-2009Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Military Systems and Elbit Systems have successfully completed the Armed BLACK HAWK (ABH) demonstrator program, proof-of concept for the development BATTLEHAWK(TM) helicopter.... Read more
15-Dec-2009Source: Press Trust of India
In a big relief to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited, pilot error was found to have caused the crash of the defence PSU’s Advance Light Helicopter (ALH) “Dhruv” in Ecuador in October... Read more
15-Dec-2009Source: Western Telegraph
The fight to keep 24-hour search and rescue cover at RAF Chivenor has been taken to the Senedd by Pembrokeshire AMs.... Read more
14-Dec-2009Source: Marine Corps Times
During the past year, the U.S. military reduced to 42 minutes from 100 minutes the average time it takes for a badly wounded service member in Afghanistan to reach a hospital, even as the casualty rate tripled, according to military commanders.... Read more
14-Dec-2009Source: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin Aeronautics named Joseph LaMarca, Jr., as VP Communications effective Jan. 4, 2010. “With more than 25 years of experience in communications and management, Joe brings a wealth of talent and leadership expertise to his new position,” said Ralph Heath, executive VP, Lockheed Martin Aeronautics.... Read more
14-Dec-2009Source: ITAR-TASS
The Ulan-Ude aircraft plant that makes part of the Vertolyoty Rossii (Helicopters of Russia) holding, ends the year with a growth in sales of about 35 percent.... Read more
14-Dec-2009Source: UK MoD
The Sea King crews from 854 Naval Air Squadron were recently presented with their Afghanistan Operational Service Medals by Head of the Royal Navy, First Sea Lord Admiral Sir Mark Stanhope.... Read more
14-Dec-2009Source: Telegraph
The future King graduated with “flying colours†according to the Ministry of Defence after an intensive training course at RAF Shawbury in Shropshire.... Read more
14-Dec-2009Source: EADS
The U.S. Army awarded the fifth year contract for the Lakota Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) to EADS North America for $247.2 million. This contract increases the company’s supply of 45 additional Lakotas along with hardware to equip the rotary-wing aircraft for medical evacuation, personnel transport and multi-mission applications.... Read more
14-Dec-2009Source: The Hill
Rep. Maurice Hinchey (D-N.Y.), in whose district Lockheed Martin assembles the VH-71, said that he secured more than $100 million in the negotiated 2010 Pentagon spending bill to continue some work on the program. The funds would technically allow the work force in Owego, N.Y., to continue outfitting the helicopters with mission systems.... Read more
13-Dec-2009Source: Huffington Post
A deployable energy absorber (think “honeycomb airbag”) may have some promise. NASA recently tested the technology by dropping a helicopter from 35 feet in the air.... Read more
10-Dec-2009Source: Lockheed Martin
Lockheed Martin has received a $14.75 million U.S. Navy contract to integrate a digital messaging interface that will improve the flow of data the MH-60R anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare helicopter can send to U.S. Navy ships across the new Ku band tactical data link.... Read more
10-Dec-2009Source: DSCA
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress December 7 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Turkey of 14 CH-47F CHINOOK Helicopters, as well as associated parts, equipment, training and logistical support for a complete package worth approximately $1.2 billion.... Read more
10-Dec-2009Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aerospace Maintenance, a Sikorsky Aerospace Services company, today rolled out the first U.S. Customs & Border Protection Agency (CBP) UH-60 A-A to L recapitalization aircraft at its Chase Field Operations Center in Texas... Read more
9-Dec-2009Source: US Marine Corps
The soldiers with Company B, 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment, took their last flight from Al Asad, Dec. 1, 2009. The eight Chinooks have moved to Talil, Iraq, in support of operations for Multi-National Division – South, where Company B, 5th Battalion, 159th Aviation Regiment, will put the aircraft to use.... Read more
9-Dec-2009Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter, a subsidiary of EADS and the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, is pleased to announce the purchase of two EC225s by the French Defense Ministry for the country’s navy.... Read more
9-Dec-2009Source: The Times
US military is doubling the number of helicopters in southern Afghanistan, flying to the rescue of British troops who have complained that shortages in air support have left them vulnerable to Taliban roadside bombs.... Read more
9-Dec-2009Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman’s Integrated Avionics System and the company’s integration support were key elements in preparing the UH-1Y Venom helicopters for deployment to Afghanistan recently with the U.S. Marine Corps Light Attack Helicopter Squadron 367.... Read more
8-Dec-2009Source: Start Telegram
The Marines are hoping to resuscitate the image of the MV-22 Osprey in Afghanistan, where the aircraft made its debut into major combat last Friday.... Read more
8-Dec-2009Source: Press Info Bureau
The Request for Proposal for replacing the Cheetah helicopters was issued in July 2008 to six vendors. Further action as per the existing procedures including Defence Procurement Procedure, 2008 is underway.... Read more
8-Dec-2009Source: Russian Helicopters
Russian Helicopters is pursuing modernisation of constituent companies by introducing prospective industry technology to the manufacturing process. As part of this move Arsenyev Aviation Company. The total amount of investments is estimated at 6 billion roubles (around 200 million USD), both from state funds and own assets of the company.... Read more
8-Dec-2009Source: Royal Navy
Historically, no helicopter search and rescue unit has achieved 400 call outs in a year and passing this milestone is a tangible illustration of the high tempo under which the Prestwick-based unit operates.... Read more
8-Dec-2009Source: DSCA
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the United Arab Emirates of 16 Chinook helicopters, and communication equipment, as well as associated parts, equipment, training and logistical support for a complete package worth approximately $2.0 billion.... Read more
7-Dec-2009Source: Rotorhub
There are many questions within the Marine Corps aviation community these days, including airframe transitions, future deployments and combat zone developments.... Read more
7-Dec-2009Source: Boeing
The Boeing AH-64D Apache Block III program has completed the first flight of its structures test aircraft. The test, conducted Nov. 23 in Mesa, demonstrated flight characteristics and handling maneuvers... Read more
3-Dec-2009Source: US Army
The UH-60A Recapitalization Program kicked off during 2002 with the induction of the first A-to-A aircraft at Corpus Christi Army Depot. The first was delivered in 2003 marking the culmination of a successful partnership between Sikorsky Aircraft and the depot.... Read more
3-Dec-2009Source: Rotorhub
Flight tests have been completed with the electro-optical/infrared sensor turret for UH-72A Lakotas that will be operated by the US Army National Guard in Security and Support (S&S) missions.... Read more
3-Dec-2009Source: Rotorhub
The Public Service Dauphins of the French Navy have marked a milestone, rescuing 1,430 people over 15 years.... Read more
3-Dec-2009Source: RAF
Having arrived in Afghanistan two weeks ago, the initial RAF Merlin Force has now passed the extensive pre-flight checks enabling them to take to the Afghan skies one month ahead of schedule.... Read more
2-Dec-2009Source: Eurocopter
The delivery ceremony took place at the Tokyo heliport in the presence of the Japan Ministry of Defense and MSDF representatives as well as Defense attachés from the German and French Embassies, manufacturer and air industry community members.... Read more
2-Dec-2009Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today celebrated the formal delivery of a UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter to the Defense Forces of Bahrain. It is the first of nine aircraft that will ultimately be delivered... Read more
2-Dec-2009Source: Telephonics
Telephonics announced that its Communication Systems Division has been awarded a contract from Lockheed Martin to manufacture support systems for U.S. Navy helicopters. The equipment supplied under the $6.9M contract will be delivered in early 2011.... Read more
2-Dec-2009Source: NH Industries
The naval version of the NH90 has recently completed with success a ship deck landing trial campaign aboard the Norwegian Coast Guard vessel “Nordkapp. “... Read more
2-Dec-2009Source: Bernama
Royal Malaysian Air Force (RMAF) chief General Datuk Seri Rodzali Daud said 12 Eurocopter EC725 helicopters will not be enough to replace the Nuri (Sikorsky S61A).... Read more
2-Dec-2009Source: ATK
Alliant Techsystems and Elbit Systems have successfully conducted flight tests of the Guided Advanced Tactical Rocket (GATR) from a U.S. Army rotary-wing helicopter: the OH-58D Kiowa Warrior.... Read more
2-Dec-2009Source: Scheibel
Following the success with the first UAS ever to fly at the Paris Air Show in June 2009, Schiebel has now won a contract with the Direction générale de l’armement (DGA).... Read more
