The Helicopter Company will provide The Red Sea Development Company with one 14-passenger helicopter and crew for emergency medical services and operational requirements The Red Sea Development Company (TRSDC), the developer behind the world’s most ambitious regenerative tourism project, has awarded a contract to The Helicopter Company (THC) in Riyadh for the provision and operation… Read more »
Source:
The Red Sea Development Company, 22-Oct-20
Russia has authorised its defence ministry to open an office in Serbia, a government document showed, as Moscow pushes to expand military ties with its traditional Balkan ally even as Belgrade seeks to join the European Union. See Full Story.
Boston-based Sea Machines Robotics, leading developer of autonomous command and control systems for surface vessels, announces that it has been awarded a multi-year Other Transaction (OT) agreement by the U.S. Department of Defense (DOD)’s Defense Innovation Unit (DIU). The primary purpose of the agreement is to initiate a prototype that will enable commercial ocean-service barges… Read more »
A team of pilots and engineers from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 recently joined colleagues from other Navy and Marine Corps commands to conduct MV-22 Osprey landing and ship compatibility tests aboard the amphibious transport dock USS New York (LPD 21). The testing also included the first shipboard landings for the Navy’s new… Read more »
In June 2017 the Trinidad & Tobago Government decided to ground their fleet of four AW139 helicopters on budgetary grounds. This week the Minister of National Security, Stuart Young, has announced that one helicopter is planned to return to use for the Air Guard of Trinidad and Tobago. Speaking at a Standing Finance Committee meeting on Monday, Minister… Read more »
Last Thursday 15th October, an Italian court sentenced the former Chairman of the Monte dei Paschi di Siena (MPS) bank, Alessandro Profumo, and the former CEO, Fabrizio Viola. The pair have each been given six years in prison for irregularities regarding the financial accounts between 2012 and 2015, as well as a fine of 2.5M… Read more »
The United States Marine Corps, USMC, have officially retired the Bell AH-1W “Super Cobra” from their ranks after more than 30 years of dependable service. The iconic dual-blade aircraft served as the dedicated attack helicopter for the Marines through multiple campaigns, including Operation Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom. “The AH-1W Super Cobra has… Read more »
CAE announced that earlier this month it officially handed over a CAE 700MR Series NH90 flight training device to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) and Royal New Zealand Air Force (RNZAF). “This advanced NH90 simulator means Royal New Zealand NH90 aircrews can train safely and cost-effectively in New Zealand,” said Matthew Sibree, Managing Director,… Read more »
A TH-1H trainer helicopter stands ready for delivery at Robins Air Force Base, Georgia, Oct. 8, 2020. TH-1H programmed depot maintenance is proof-of-concept first at Warner Robins Air Logistic Complex and will determine the feasibility of utilizing the complex as a viable source of repair for future organic rotary wing aircraft maintenance. (U.S. Air Force… Read more »
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Romania of Naval Strike Missile (NSM) Coastal Defense Systems (CDS) and related equipment for an estimated cost of $300 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government… Read more »
Longbow Ltd., Orlando, Florida, was awarded a $32,154,552 modification (P00001) to contract W58RGZ-20-F-0464 for generic spare parts kits for AH-64E Apache helicopters. Work will be performed in Orlando, Florida, with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2024. Fiscal 2020 Foreign Military Sales (India, Morocco, Netherlands, and United Arab Emirates) funds in the amount of… Read more »
NHIndustries and its Partner Companies (Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and Fokker) have delivered the first NH90 to the Spanish Air Force that will boost their search and rescue (SAR) and combat search and rescue (CSAR) mission capabilities. The Spanish Air Force will receive 12 NH90s intended to replace its aging fleet of AS332 Super Pumas and… Read more »
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announces two independent contract awards from Army Contracting Command-Redstone to support allied operations of the MD 530F Cayuse Warrior helicopter. The first contract, worth $6.1 million, requires MDHI to retrofit 18 legacy MD 530F helicopters operated by the Afghanistan Air Force with ballistic-tolerant crashworthy fuel systems (CWFS). Jointly developed with Robertson Fuel… Read more »
Helicopter Mine Countermeasures Squadron (HM) 12 successfully tested, trained, and qualified their squadron and aircrew from three separate squadrons on the use of the Bambi Bucket to support aerial firefighting missions, if tasked, on the East Coast, Oct. 8. The MH-53E is the only rotary aircraft in the U.S. Navy with the capability to airlift… Read more »
Honeywell (NYSE: HON) has won a five-year IDIQ (Indefinite Delivery, Indefinite Quantity) contract for the repair and overhaul of its T55-GA-714A engines that operate on the U.S. Army’s CH-47 Chinook helicopters. This contract award will ensure that the U.S. Army’s Chinook fleet has spare engines to sustain its future missions and overall readiness. The engines… Read more »
GE Aviation, in cooperation with the United States Army, successfully completed the Critical Design Review (CDR) in July for the T901-GE-900, GE’s next-generation engine that will power a large portion of the Army’s rotorcraft fleet for decades to come. In 2019, the U.S. Army selected GE Aviation’s T901 engine for the Engineering and Manufacturing Development… Read more »
The Calgary Police Service (CPS) has received the first of two helicopters purchased to replace the Service’s current HAWCS (Helicopter Air Watch for Community Safety) helicopters. The new helicopters will greatly increase how the Service’s Air Support Unit can respond to crime in Calgary and keep Calgarians safe. The current helicopters, which have been in… Read more »
NHIndustries and its Partner Companies (Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo and Fokker), have signed with the NATO Helicopter Management Agency (NAHEMA) a firm contract for the development of an upgraded version of the NH90 Tactical Troop Helicopter (TTH) for the French Special Forces (TFRA Standard 2). Under the terms of the production contract, the final batch of… Read more »
HNLMS Groningen will have access to an NH90 maritime combat helicopter again after 2.5 months. This morning a plane took off by air to the Caribbean. The helicopter replaces the one that crashed in July. The NH90 has been prepared for air transport at Eindhoven Air Base in recent days. The aircraft was already loaded… Read more »
Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America, LLC (“Elbit Systems of America”), was awarded an Indefinite Delivery/Indefinite-Quantity (ID/IQ) contract with a maximum value of approximately $50 million to produce spare parts in support of the Aviators’ Night Vision Imaging System Head-Up Display system (“ANVIS… Read more »
National Ambulance Service (NAS) launched the Emergency Aeromedical Service (EAS), which is in Custume Barracks, Athlone, Co. Westmeath. The service, a joint project between the Department of Health, the HSE and the Defence Forces, means that National Ambulance Service advanced paramedics now have the assistance of a dedicated military helicopter for the rapid transfer of critical patients to… Read more »
The Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD) released its first UH-60 Victor Black Hawk helicopter for delivery. CCAD Commander, Colonel Joseph H. Parker hosted a formal signing ceremony immediately following a walk-around of the UH-60V Black Hawk with Chief Test Pilots, Crew Chiefs and the Director of Aircraft Production. In a recent news release Colonel Joseph… Read more »
Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ: ESLT, TASE: ESLT) (“Elbit Systems”) announced that its U.S. subsidiary, Elbit Systems of America, LLC, was awarded an approximately $35 million five-year firm-fixed-priced contract by the U.S. Naval Supply Systems Command (NAVSUP) for repair of line-replaceable units in support of the V-22 aircraft. The repairs will be performed in Fort Worth,… Read more »
The plan to restructure the Greek Armed Forces, which was voted by a committee a few days earlier, envisages the establishment of a Special Operations Aviation Unit. See Full Story.
Deep within Eglin’s range, rapid, powerful gunfire reverberated across the expanse beginning Aug. 17. Live fire testing began for the HH-60W Jolly Green II’s three primary weapons.The goal of the ground testing was to verify the weapons systems functionality, accuracy, and to demonstrate the guns are safe to employ operationally. The 413th Flight Test Squadron… Read more »
The Navy’s MH-60S Seahawk multi-mission helicopter is ready for a communications upgrade, and engineers with the H-60 Fleet Support Team at Naval Air Systems Command’s In-Service Support Center at Fleet Readiness Center East have developed an innovative solution to support that effort. The fleet’s inventory of more than 200 MH-60S Block 3 aircraft is slated to… Read more »
Defense Minister, Benny Gantz: “I welcome the completion of this agreement, which reflects our close and important cooperation with the Italian Ministry of Defense over the years. The completion of this agreement is essential for the training of IAF helicopter pilots and for the development of Israel’s economy. It also reflects the great importance of… Read more »
In February, the U.S. Navy took delivery of the first CMV-22B Osprey aircraft as the primary aircraft to conduct Airborne Re-supply/Logistics to the Sea Base (AR/LSB.) The CMV-22B platform will eventually replace the C-2 Greyhound across the Navy. Modernization of any program, regardless of service, is a complex process to ensure the proper manpower, training… Read more »
The Wyoming Army National Guard’s G Company, 2nd Battalion, 211th Aviation Regiment was activated by Gov. Mark Gordon Sept. 10, to provide support for firefighting efforts in California. One UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and four crew members left Thursday and will be operating from Mather Airport near Sacramento. The helicopter and crew are expected to… Read more »
Helibasket LLC, based in West Union, South Carolina, announced that their Remote Cargo Hook Systems have been chosen by the Army National Guard (ARNG) for a modernization effort of the helicopter fleet’s external load capabilities. Each system is comprised of a remote hook assembly, electric long line, a crew member hand control and storage-transport support… Read more »
S.A.F.E. Structure Designs is pleased to announce the GSA contract award for Sikorsky CH-53 fall protection platforms for the USAF Maintenance Training facility at Lackland Air Force Base . The exclusive design of the S.A.F.E. CH-53 fall protection platforms incorporates many unique safety elements. Key features include a handrail system designed to contour around the… Read more »
Austrian Defence Minister Klaudia Tanner has announced that her country has placed an order for 18 AW169M helicopters from Leonardo, following recommendation of Chief of Staff Robert Brieger. The procurement is to replace and expand on the capability of the Alouete III fleet, which has provided 50 years of service and will be retiring from… Read more »
Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 22 received their first MQ-8C Firescout on Sept. 15 aboard Naval Station Norfolk.HSC-22 marks the first East Coast squadron to operate all three systems to include the MH-60S Knighthawk, MQ-8B Firescout, and MQ-8C Firescout. The new added capability of the MQ-8C combines the capabilities of the MQ-8B with the MH-60S… Read more »
Yesterday, at “Carlos Curbelo” Naval Air Base in Punta del Este, a ceremony was held to welcome the first of two AB412s acquired by the Uruguay Navy. The event was attended by the President of the Republic, Dr. Luis Lacalle Pou, Defence Minister Dr. Javier Garcia, Undersecretary of the Ministry of National Defense Colonel Rivera… Read more »
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced that the Montenegro Air Force accepted its first Bell 505. The technical acceptance occurred in July at Bell Prague. The delivery happened today in Montenegro and was accepted by Montenegro Air Force’s Minister of Defence, Predrag Bošković. The second aircraft is expected to be delivered… Read more »
NAVSUP Weapon Systems Support stood up its Logistics Cell (LOGCELL) in 2016 to bring vendor stakeholders, NAVAIR, fleet mission partners, and various cross-functional teams together in a room filled with interactive dashboards to identify component constraints and make informed decisions focused on enabling improved critical component reliability, maintainability and wholesale health. Several factors have limited… Read more »
Aircrews with the 1st Battalion, 147th Aviation Regiment Wisconsin National Guard at Madison operated several UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters Aug. 13 at Fort McCoy, Wis., as part of annual training at the post. Members of the unit regularly complete training operations at Fort McCoy and the unit also supports numerous training events at the installation… Read more »
The CH-53 has been a potent member of the Marine Corps aviation community’s fleet for over 40 years, but the newest version takes the platform to a whole new level. Equipped with three 7,500 horsepower engines and built to carry a nearly 30,000 pound external load for over 100 miles, the CH 53K King Stallion… Read more »
Babcock France, an engineering firm that provides support services for government strategic forces, has selected the new- generation Euroflir™410 optronic (electro-optical) system from Safran Electronics & Defense as part of the contract awarded by French defense procurement agency DGA (Direction Générale de l’Armement) to provide four H160 helicopters to the French Navy for a period… Read more »
Air Methods, a leading air medical service in the U.S., and U.S. Army Garrison Fort Hunter Liggett, the military’s premier Total Force Training Center and the U.S. Army Reserve’s largest training installation, announced today that they have renewed their long-standing relationship, which has been in place since 2011. The agreement guarantees a continued relationship for… Read more »
The aircraft maintenance professionals at Fleet Readiness Center East are always ready for a challenge. But when the U.S. Air Force asked the facility to bring an H-1 Huey up to current configurations after it spent more than 10 years sitting in storage, the artisans faced a bigger challenge than they expected. The UH-1N Huey… Read more »
The US Department of State awarded a competitive selection to RMCI, Inc. to acquire their advanced technology for helicopter Health and Usage Monitoring Systems, or HUMS. The Expandable Rotorcraft Diagnostic System or XRDS™ is RMCI’s next-generation HUMS. It is a locally developed leading edge technology that ensures a high quality of safety and improved aircraft… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters, Inc. will introduce the newest series of its Lakota helicopter to the U.S. Army’s fleet, the company announced today at the 2020 National Guard Association of the United States (NGAUS) virtual tradeshow. Starting with new orders placed this year for 17 additional Lakota helicopters, the U.S. Army will welcome the newest series –… Read more »
Boeing [NYSE: BA] is delivering new technologies and performance improvements to U.S. Special Operations Command (SOCOM) with the Block II Chinook helicopter. Boeing’s Philadelphia team recently delivered the first MH-47G Block II Chinook to SOCOM on time. “This delivery marks a major step for the Chinook program,” said Andy Builta, vice president and H-47 program… Read more »
The U.S. Navy awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to FlightSafety Services Corporation today for Aircrew Training Services (ATS) in support of the Advanced Helicopter Training System (AHTS) program. The five-year base contract is for $220,766,476 for TH-73A ATS, which includes availability on 18 Flight Simulation Training Devices (FSTDs). The total contract value… Read more »
A team of pilots and engineers from Air Test and Evaluation Squadron (HX) 21 based at Naval Air Station Patuxent River recently completed a crucial series of sea trials of the CH-53K King Stallion that not only provided them with valuable developmental test information about the aircraft, but could change the way the squadron conducts… Read more »
At the end of fiscal year 2018, the T64 engine program was in trouble. Across the fleet, supply constraints contributed to ever-increasing turnaround times for engines inducted for overhaul or repair. At Fleet Readiness Center East, facilities constraints compounded the issue. The Navy’s H-53 Heavy Lift Helicopters program office, also known as PMA-261, was facing… Read more »
AT Systems, LLC is proud to announce the start of the Airworthiness Release Process (AWR) as a part of the Cooperative Research and Development Agreement (CRADA) with the US Army Aeromedical Laboratory (USAARL) at Fort Rucker, AL. AT Systems has patented a device that trains pilots for degraded visual environment during normal training flights. This… Read more »
Airmen assigned to the 41st Helicopter Maintenance Unit launch HH-60G Pave Hawks every day. It’s been three years since they launched one like this, though. On Aug. 5, the 41st HMU launched a “black letter” HH-60G, a helicopter with zero discrepancies from nose to tail, inside and out. The term “black letter” refers to the… Read more »
S.A.F.E. Structure Designs is pleased announce they have delivered 7 custom cowling racks for the scheduled preventive maintenance inspections of the AH64 to the US Army, Fort Hood. The custom designed racks are part of the ongoing US Army / S.A.F.E. project to redesign the maintenance hangar to be more ergonomic and efficient. The custom… Read more »
GVH Aerospace’s sea tray product has been selected by Heli-Union for the French Navy’s interim naval helicopter program. The French Navy will lease 12 AS365 Dauphin helicopters to bridge the period between the withdrawal from service of the Alouette III helicopter and the arrival of the H160M Guépard helicopter. The GVH Aerospace sea tray product… Read more »
Leonardo, at its site in Yeovil, not only builds and designs rotorcraft but it also supports aircraft once in operation by its military customers. The Covid-19 pandemic highlighted even more this key area of customer engagement for the Company. The British Army, specifically 1 Aviation Brigade HQ, was tasked to provide two aircraft every day… Read more »
Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, unveiled today its new 140,000-square-foot Manufacturing Technology Center (MTC) in Fort Worth, Texas. The MTC is an innovative proving ground where Bell will test and refine technologies and processes—demonstrating manufacturing readiness and ability to successfully build and support Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft. The facility provides… Read more »
An Australian company has been selected by the US Navy to deliver sustainment support for the Royal Australian Navy’s new fleet of maritime combat helicopters. Sikorsky Australia, a Lockheed Martin company, will provide through-life sustainment support for the Navy’s fleet of MH-60R (Romeo) helicopters at their state of the art maintenance, logistics and repair organisation… Read more »
Approximately 3,000 feet above the Eglin range, the HH-60W Jolly Green II connected with a HC-130J tanker for the first ever aerial refueling by the Air Force’s new combat search and rescue helicopter, Aug. 5. This connection marked the start of two weeks of developmental testing of the aircraft’s aerial refueling abilities by 413th Flight… Read more »
The spring 2020 delivery of CH-47F Chinooks and other materiel and services to the Royal Netherlands Air Force is a critical step in deterring regional threats and strengthening U.S.-Coalition capabilities. The Netherlands purchased the U.S. military’s twin-engine heavy-lift helicopters through a $755M foreign military sales (FMS) case executed by Redstone Arsenal’s U.S. Army Security Assistance… Read more »
As with all manufacturers, Leonardo have a continuing development program for each model in their line-up. In the last few years we have seen the AW109S Trekker with skids, the AW139 gross weight increase, the AW189K with its Safran Aneto-1K engine and so on. Now the Italian-based manufacturer is test flying its first visible development… Read more »
RYAN AEROSPACE (AUSTRALIA) has won the coveted Small Business of the Year Award in the International Military Training and Simulation MS&T) Awards; a global awards program aimed to showcase the people, products, processes and organisations that deliver the sustained innovation and quality products and services of the military simulation training industry and community. Managing Director… Read more »
The defence ministry has ordered the number of flights by four transport helicopters to be cut in half because the aircraft are too expensive to maintain, the VRT reports. See Full Story.
Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently signed a $265 million contract for nine more MH-47G Block II Chinook helicopters that employees in its Philadelphia plant will assemble for the U.S. Army Special Operations Aviation Command (USASOAC). Boeing is now on contract for 24 of the next-generation Chinooks. The MH-47G Block II Chinook features an improved structure and… Read more »
Team Malmstrom hosted a ribbon-cutting ceremony Aug. 4 for the new Tactical Response Force/Helicopter Operations Alert Facility, the first of its kind in Air Force Global Strike Command. Construction for the project officially began in August of 2018, and many years of planning and preparation have gone into making this facility a reality. “This project… Read more »
Boeing [NYSE: BA] recently delivered its 2,500th AH-64 Apache helicopter, an E-model Apache for the U.S. Army, from the company’s production line in Mesa, Arizona. The first production AH-64, an A-model Apache, rolled off the assembly line on September 30, 1983, and was delivered by Boeing heritage company McDonnell Douglas to the U.S. Army in… Read more »
At last week’s Victory Parade to mark the 101st anniversary of the Estonian Air Force, the announcement was made that the R44 is to be retired, which will leave the country without any military helicopters. The first has been donated to Lennundusmuuseum (the Estonian Aviation Museum) eight miles south of Tartu, and the other three… Read more »
The TH-73A AHTS will reach Initial Operational Capability in 2021 and will provide the training tools needed to produce the next generations of rotary and tilt-rotor pilots for the U.S. and select allied nations, thus ensuring the future readiness of Naval Aviation. See Full Story.
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has completed delivery of all new AH-64E Apache and CH-47F(I) Chinook military helicopters to the Indian Air Force (IAF). The final five of the 22 Apache attack helicopters were handed over to the IAF at Air Force Station, Hindan. Earlier in March, Boeing handed over the last five of 15 CH-47F(I) Chinook… Read more »
[electronic translation] On July 10, the Brazilian Navy received the second UH-17 aircraft in the 1st General Employment Helicopter Squadron (EsqdHU-1). With the N-7091 aircraft, another phase of the Aircraft Procurement Contract for the “Antarctic” Operation is concluded. The obtainment of UH-17 aircraft has the main objective of avoiding a gap in air operations embarked on… Read more »
China announced it will impose sanctions on U.S. aerospace and defense contractor Lockheed Martin for involvement in the latest U.S. arms sale to the Taiwan region. See full story
The Chief of Air Staff, Air Marshal Sadiq Abubakar, on Friday, inaugurated a Helipad at Katari village along Kaduna-Abuja highway to strengthen the Nigerian Air Force (NAF) response to security challenges in the area. See Full Story.
Airbus Helicopters has joined hands with over 20 Australian partners to form Team Nightjar, as the consortium launches its solution to Project LAND 2097 Phase 4. Under this Project, the Commonwealth of Australia is seeking a fleet of helicopters to support the Australian Defence Force’s Special Operations. Bringing together Australia’s best industry capabilities and academia,… Read more »
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Jordan of one (1) UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter and related equipment for an estimated cost of $23 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Jordan… Read more »
The U.S. Navy, with support from Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC), commenced flight testing of the MQ-8C Fire Scout equipped with the Leonardo AN/ZPY-8 radar. “The AN/ZPY-8 radar significantly increases Fire Scout’s detection and tracking of targets. The ability to simultaneously employ multiple modes supports U.S. Navy intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance requirements,” said Melissa Packwood,… Read more »
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Lithuania of six (6) UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters and related equipment for an estimated cost of $380 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Lithuania… Read more »
The United Arab Emirates Joint Aviation Command (JAC) conducted combined naval and air training operations with forces assigned to U.S. Naval Forces Central Command (NAVCENT) and U.S. Air Forces Central Command (AFCENT) in the southern Arabian Gulf, June 21-25. The Air Operations in Maritime Surface Warfare (AOMSW) training, consisted of a combination of aviation and… Read more »
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Government of Indonesia of eight (8) MV-22 Block C Osprey aircraft and related equipment for an estimated cost of $2 billion. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of… Read more »
The Alouette III helicopter marks today 57 years in the service of the Air Force. The aircraft, currently operated by Squadron 552 – “Zangões”, at Air Base No. 11 (Beja), reaches the historic mark on the day when its service period ends. The first Alouette flight, in the Air Force, took place in Luanda (Angola),… Read more »
