Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) has received a contract from the U.S. Navy for the continued production of the AN/AES-1Airborne Laser Mine Detection System (ALMDS). The contract includes the production of five ALMDS pod subsystems, support equipment, spares, and technical support. The ALMDS is mounted on an MH-60S helicopter. Flying over sea lanes, it finds… Read more »
Source: Northrop Grumman, 03-Feb-15
•The safety of all civilian aircraft using government owned military aerodromes is the sole responsibility of the Civil Aviation Authority not the Military Aviation Authority or MOD. •The CAA is now responsible for deciding if RAF Northolt is safe for use by civil aircraft •An assessment by the CAA is required and this may require… Read more »
Source: LBHA, 03-Feb-15
VIETNAM’S military announced Friday it has temporarily grounded Vietnam War-era US-built helicopters after a crash killed four personnel. See Full Story
Source: BT, 02-Feb-15
he first and last woman to become a Royal Navy Lynx helicopter pilot has received her wings from Prince Andrew. See Full Story
Source: BBC News, 30-Jan-15
Some guy brandishing a weapon. A high-speed chase. Missing children in the vicinity of rising waters. Site security for a presidential visit to Peterson Air Force Base. See Full Story
Source: csindy, 30-Jan-15
The Michigan State Police could become the first police agency in the nation with statewide authorization to deploy an aerial drone to photograph vehicle crash scenes and give a bird’s-eye view of other emergency situations. See Full Story
Source: The Detroit News, 30-Jan-15
Border Guard Bangladesh is planning to set up an air wing as part of an increase in vigiliance against cross-border crime. Their prime focus is drug trafficking across the borders with Myanmar and India (particulary Yaba), where there is a 400km unfenced and unguarded and border. The apparent inaccessibility of this border BGB Director General… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 28-Jan-15
Terma has been contracted by the Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) to integrate the Terma Modular Aircraft Survivability (MASE) Pod onto the Dutch air force’ NH-90 helicopters. The MASE Pod solution includes the Terma developed and manufactured Electronic Warfare Management System, ALQ-213 in the latest version, Missile Warning sensors, and Chaff/Flare Dispenser modules. The modular… Read more »
Source: Terma, 28-Jan-15
Building on an unprecedented year of new product certification and introduction, Airbus Helicopters has set its sights on best serving its customers in a challenging global marketplace, with the priority on customer satisfaction, quality and safety, and competitiveness. During 2014, Airbus Helicopters delivered 471 rotorcraft from the company’s civil, parapublic and military product lines and… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 28-Jan-15
The first EC135 T2+ helicopter in a planned fleet of modern, twin-engine, rotary-wing aircraft being acquired by the Australian Defence Force (ADF) for its new Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS), has successfully completed its first flight in Europe. Under the HATS project, a joint training scheme for both Army and Navy aircrew will utilise some… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 27-Jan-15
Wing Commander Amit Jain, Flying (Pilot) is posted as Flight Commander of a Cheetal/ Cheetah Helicopter Unit operating in the Siachen Glacier. He is a Qualified Flying Instructor and an Examiner, and has more than 3500 hours of accident/incident free flying. On 18 Jul 2014, an urgent request from Leh district administration for a casuality… Read more »
Source: Ministry of Defence, 27-Jan-15
The Netherlands recently announced the retirement of their three Agusta-Bell 412SPs as they transferred the SAR role over to their NH90s. Just three weeks on and Defence Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert announced that preliminary agreement has been reached to sell the 412s to Peru. Although no financial numbers have been stated, and no contract yet signed, there’s enough… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Jan-15
Korea Aerospace Industries announced Friday 23rd January that its Korean Utility Helicopter for Korean Marines Corps has completed a first test flight successfully on January 19 in Sacheon, South Gyeongsang Province. The flight – with two pilots and two technicians – was about 30 minutes, and was mainly concerned with low-level activities including forward and… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 26-Jan-15
In a landmark ruling, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) and the Secretary of State have been told that the Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) is the statutory regulator required to determine safety standards for civilian aircraft using government owned military aerodromes. Previously, as part of a policy of attracting 12,000 more business jets a year to… Read more »
Source: LBHA, 26-Jan-15
Gothenburg City Airport, more commonly known as Säve Airport, will be closed for airline operations, says state-owned airport operator Swedavia. The company issued a press release earlier today where it announced that it has taken over the remaining shares in the company that runs the airport and that it has decided to initiate a gradual… Read more »
Source: Nordic Rotors, 26-Jan-15
Rick Garcia, President and CEO, Gulf Coast Avionics Corporation announced today that the company has been awarded a contract from the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA) to provide new-generation avionics upgrades for select piston aircraft and turbine helicopters operating in the Agency’s fleet. “This is a significant contract win for Gulf Coast Avionics,” Garcia said…. Read more »
Source: Gulf Coast Avionics, 26-Jan-15
Over the past few months DCNS, in which Thales (Euronext Paris: HO) holds a 35% shareholding, has conducted a comprehensive review of the financial and contractual status of several activities and complex programmes, which have had difficulties. The main conclusions of these reviews have been communicated to DCNS governing bodies. On the basis of these… Read more »
Source: Thales, 25-Jan-15
In January 2015 “Rostvertol”, a member of Rostec’s Russian Helicopters Holding, marks the 30th anniversary of the serial production launch of the world’s largest cargo helicopter, the Mi-26T. The machine is capable of carrying up to 20 tons of cargo, and is still holds the record for total carrying capacity. Mi-26T was based on the… Read more »
Source: Rostec, 23-Jan-15
It was a bittersweet day for the Soldiers of the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, with the casing of the unit colors in preparation for an operational deployment to the Korea peninsula and a final flight of the Kiowa Warrior helicopters, Jan. 15. “The Kiowa Warrior has called this island home for the past 17… Read more »
Source: US Army, 23-Jan-15
Army National Guard members have served along the U.S.-Mexico border in south Texas since 2012 providing aviation support to U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with plans to continue serving for the foreseeable future. Soldiers, from numerous states across the country, collaborate in this unique mission, known as Operation Phalanx, to provide aviation assets in support… Read more »
Source: US Army, 23-Jan-15
In what reports are calling an unprecedented display of firepower, a Coast Guard Black Hawk helicopter unleashed a barrage of machine gun fire to stop suspected marijuana traffickers off the coast of California’s Catalina Island Saturday night. See Full Story
Source: Sfgate, 23-Jan-15
Russia and China will be developing a high altitude version of M-26 helicopter with a take-off weight of 38 tons that can be used on plateaus under thermal climate conditions, Chinese PLA military online reported citing Russian news sources. See Full Story
Source: Defense World, 23-Jan-15
Boeing Co., Mesa, Arizona, was awarded a $14,583,600 modification (P00002) to contract W58RGZ-14-C-0018 to increase the quantity of AH-64E Apache full rate production Lot 5 aircraft. The modification adds additional advance procurement funding to purchase of long lead items. Fiscal 2014 other procurement funds in the amount of $14,583,600 were obligated at the time of… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 23-Jan-15
L-3 Communications, Communication Systems–West, Salt Lake City, Utah, is being awarded a $22,709,796 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-2024) to exercise an option for the manufacture, test, delivery and support of the Common Data Link Hawklink system in support of the MH-60R aircraft. This option includes 29 AN/ARQ-59 radio terminal sets (RTS), 11… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 23-Jan-15
Captain Adrian Orchard OBE has joined Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose as its new Commanding Officer. Bringing a wealth of operational expertise, Captain Orchard takes the reins at a very important time for the Cornish Air Station and will lead a team driving a variety of frontline deployments, supporting the Royal Navy whenever and wherever… Read more »
Source: Royal Navy, 22-Jan-15
The AS365 Dauphin rotorcraft full-flight simulator at Airbus Helicopters’ Singapore-based training center has been upgraded to provide highly realistic training in both day and night search and rescue (SAR) operations, offering pilots the unique capability to safely practice these demanding life-saving missions. The upgrade was made by Airbus Helicopters Southeast Asia at its Seletar Aerospace… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 22-Jan-15
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) has appointed Brett B. Lambert vice president, corporate strategy, effective Jan. 26. He will report to Mark A. Caylor, corporate vice president, president of Enterprise Services and chief strategy officer. Lambert replaces Stanley R. Szemborski who has retired from the company. In this role, Lambert will lead development and implementation of… Read more »
Source: Northrop Grumma, 21-Jan-15
ELECTRONIC and systems group Thales Australia needed to address obsolescence issues faced by the Australian Army Tiger helicopter simulators. See Full Story
Source: The Australian, 21-Jan-15
Lt Gen Pranab Kumar Bharali has been appointed as the Director General of Army Aviation Corps at the Army Headquarters, Delhi. See Full Story
Source: ET, 21-Jan-15
The Air Force of Honduras has recently taken delivery of a new Bell 412EP for the Presidential Flight. It replaces an older 412SP which has been on charge in this role since 1988, and was one of a fleet of ten bought at that time. It is not clear exactly how many of the original… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Jan-15
The transfer of Chivenor’s search and rescue helicopter service to Wales has been postponed, the Gazette understands. See Full Story
Source: North Devon Gazette, 16-Jan-15
Once a fully operational RAF Station, Wattisham is now only home to a search and rescue helicopter unit, ‘B’ Flight of No 22 Squadron, equipped with 2 Sea king HAR3A helicopters. The final bell is now being prepared for this operation, as it has been announced the Sea Kings will cease operations on 1st July…. Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 15-Jan-15
As of 1 January 2015, the Defence organisation has taken its characteristic yellow AB-412 search-and-rescue helicopters out of service. These helicopters, which flew for Defence Helicopter Command, are to be disposed of. Consequently, 303 Squadron, stationed at Leeuwarden Air Base, will be disbanded in the near future. During the course of 2014, the 3 Defence… Read more »
Source: Ministry of Defence, 15-Jan-15
HX5 LLC, Ft. Walton Beach, Florida, has been awarded a $15,900,000 cost-reimbursement incentive contract for advisory and assistance services. The contractor will provide combat rescue helicopter program support. Work will be performed at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base, Ohio, and is expected to be complete by Feb. 29, 2020. This award is the result of a… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 15-Jan-15
As early as the mid-1980s, German army aviation needed new helicopters. Its Vietnam-era Bell UH-1s and Sikorsky CH-53s had seen better days. See Full Story
Source: Medium, 14-Jan-15
The United Nations has sought return of Indian Air Force helicopters to the peace keeping mission in Congo, almost three years after New Delhi withdrew the them due to domestic requirements. See Full Story
Source: DH, 14-Jan-15
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that the U.S. Army has purchased two of Kratos’ Maintenance Blended Reconfigurable Aviation Trainer (MBRAT) Virtual Immersive Environment (VIE) training systems with the CH-47F Chinook Avionics configuration. The order is valued at approximately $1.4 million, including life cycle support services… Read more »
Source: Kratos, 13-Jan-15
Facing a potential conflict with the People’s Liberation Army over the East China Sea, Japan’s defense budget has reached US$41.7 billion for the fiscal year of 2015, China’s nationalistic tabloid Global Times reported on Jan. 9. See Full Story
Source: Want China Times, 12-Jan-15
Two more wrongful-death lawsuits have been filed in connection with a helicopter crash in South America that killed five Americans and two Peruvians two years ago. See Full Story
Source: My Sanantonio, 12-Jan-15
The British Army almost brought down a troop-carrying RAF helicopter when one of its own drones flew within 60ft of the giant aircraft, a report found. See Full Story
Source: Telegraph, 12-Jan-15
As of the first of the year, Finland has committed to provide four NH90 transport helicopters for any possible EU crisis management operation through the end of June. See Full Story
Source: Yle, 12-Jan-15
Rotor blades from an Arizona National Guard UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter cut swiftly through the air, blending a whooshing sound with the roar of the engine. It’s a welcome sound, a signal to wildland firefighters on the ground that relief is coming. The helicopter descends to 50 feet, hovering above slow flowing canal water. Rotor… Read more »
Source: National Guard, 09-Jan-15
Joint Base Lewis-McChord’s combat aviation brigade is about to turn its attention from the imposing peaks of Afghanistan to the “vastness of the Pacific.” See Full Story
Source: Seattlepi, 08-Jan-15
Royal Air Force of Oman (RAFO) on Monday launched its helicopter exercise at Al Mesanaah air base with the participation of a number of units from Sultan’s Armed Forces (SAF) and Sultan Special Force (SSF). See Full Story
Source: Times of Oman, 08-Jan-15
A huge white cloud envelops the cockpit of the Chinook helicopter as it settles into a hover ready for landing, blowing snowflakes from the ground into the air around the aircraft. See Full Story
Source: This is Money, 08-Jan-15
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded $27,594,138 for firm-fixed-price job order 0057 under a previously awarded contract (N00164-12-G-JQ66) for procurement of multi-spectral targeting systems and data for the MH-60 U.S. Navy. This acquisition is to satisfy a U.S. Navy MH-60 program for multi-spectral targeting system components that will be used by the U.S. Navy. … Read more »
Source: US DoD, 08-Jan-15
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded $21,326,083 for cost-plus- fixed-fee order 0090 against a previously issued Basic Ordering Agreement (N00019-12-G-0006) in support of the V-22. This order provides for fleet software sustainment that includes engineering and technical support for the V-22 flight control system and on-aircraft avionics software; flight test planning and… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 07-Jan-15
Northrop Grumman Systems Corp., Melbourne, Florida is being awarded a $35,514,955 firm-fixed price contract for the fabrication, integration, test and production of airborne laser mine detection systems (ALMDS) and delivery of peculiar support equipment and engineering services to support those systems. This contract is in support of the Program Executive Office Littoral Combat Ships (LCS). … Read more »
Source: US DoD, 07-Jan-15
Raytheon Technical Services Co., LLC, Indianapolis, Indiana, is being awarded a $270,512,968 indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract for the procurement of V-22 software support activity (SSA) systems and software engineering, avionics integration and testing, software testing, avionics acquisition support, and SSA operations. The SSA operations will include classified and unclassified laboratories, configuration and data management, and release of… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 06-Jan-15
Two airlines have been awarded contract modifications for rotary wing aircraft, personnel, equipment, tools, material, maintenance and supervision necessary to perform passenger and cargo air transportation service. The first airline, Columbia Helicopters, Inc. Aurora, Oregon, was awarded a $20,069,056 modification (0002-29) to previously awarded contract HTC711-11-D-R021. The second, AAR Airlift Group, Inc., Palm Bay, Florida,… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 05-Jan-15
A report issued by the University of Scranton says that only 8% of people keep their New Year resolutions, so what is the point of making them in the first place? The same report says that 38% of their sample population never make these resolutions, and perhaps they are the wise ones? New Year Resolutions… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 05-Jan-15
The U.S. Navy and Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE: NOC) successfully flew the MQ-8C Fire Scout system for the first time off the guided-missile destroyer, USS Jason Dunham (DDG 109), Dec. 16, off the Virginia coast. After more than a year of land-based testing at Point Mugu, California, the MQ-8C Fire Scout grew its sea legs,… Read more »
Source: Northrop Grumman, 05-Jan-15
ReportsnReports.com announces Global Military Infrastructure and Logistics Market 2015-2019 and Global Military Helicopter MRO Market 2014-2018 as new research report additions to their store. The Global Military Infrastructure and Logistics Market 2015-2019 report forecasts the industry to grow at a CAGR of 1.29% during 2014-2019. Developing countries in the BRIC are placing military infrastructure and… Read more »
Source: ReportsnReports, 05-Jan-15
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded a $15,077,365 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-13-C-0023) for systems engineering and program management support for the production and delivery of AH-1Z and UH-1Y aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in December 2015. Fiscal… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 05-Jan-15
The team at HeliHub.com would like to wish all our readers a very Happy Christmas and a prosperous 2015. This is the time of the year we celebrate the birth of Jesus, and we trust many of our readers will take time to consider what that means to the world, perhaps through attending a church… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 23-Dec-14
After receiving a letter of intent from Donaldson Company, Cox & Company has selected Applied Composites Engineering (ACE) as their supplier for the composite parts for the V-22 Phase II Heated Inlet Components. Because of the successful Phase I Proof of Concept non-heated inlets manufactured by ACE for Donaldson Company, ACE was the ideal teammate… Read more »
Source: Cox, 23-Dec-14
Lockheed Martin Corp. Missiles and Fire Control, Orlando, Florida, is being awarded $43,400,000 firm-fixed-price contract for procurement of 14 AN/AAQ-30 target sight systems (TSS) and data to be integrated into U.S. Marine Corps Cobra attack helicopters. This integration is part of the U.S. Marine Corps H-1 upgrades program for the remanufacture of legacy aircraft with… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 23-Dec-14
BSC Partners LLC,* San Diego, California, is being awarded a $13,679,958 modification to exercise an option on a previously awarded firm-fixed-price Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase III contract (N61340-14-C-0002) under Topic #03-190, helicopter operations aircrew/crew chief trainer. The objective of this SBIR effort is to design, fabricate, install, and test MH-60 Naval aircrew training… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 23-Dec-14
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an $11,601,939 modification to a previously awarded fixed-price-incentive contract (N00019-13-C-0023) for the procurement of additional logistics products and services in support of the H-1 upgrade effort. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas, and is expected to be completed in March 2016. Fiscal 2015… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 23-Dec-14
In late June, the Netherlands suspended deliveries of their fleet of NH90s due to significant wear and corrosion issues in the aircraft they already had delivered. In recent days, Defense Minister Jeanine Hennis-Plasschaert has written to the Dutch parliament to say that she is confident with the manufacturer’s assurances to restart deliveries. This was likely… Read more »
Source: HeliHub.com, 22-Dec-14
On Friday, the Coast Guard remembered the crew members and victims of Coast Guard Rescue 1363, who died when the helicopter crashed near Strawberry Rock during a rescue mission. See Full Story
Source: kiem TV, 22-Dec-14
Medical evacuation operations are very complex and dangerous for evacuation helicopters, crewmembers, and patients. MedEvac missions consist of retrieving the wounded from a dangerous environment and transporting them to medical triage or a medical treatment facility. In the event that a helicopter cannot land, MedEvac crewmembers are trained to send down a medic, who evaluates… Read more »
Source: US Army, 22-Dec-14
The New Mexico National Guard’s Charlie Company, 1-171st Aviation Regiment hosted the New Mexico Helicopter Safety Day on Dec. 3, at the Aviation Readiness Center. Bob Martin, Helicopter Pilot for KRQE News 13, organized this year’s helicopter safety day which gives civilian, law enforcement and military entities safety information designed especially for New Mexico aviators… Read more »
Source: USAF, 22-Dec-14
Armed Forces of Malta have reported the arrival of their second AgustaWestland AW139 from the Italian production line. Arriving on its Italian test registration I-EASI, the helicopter is serial 31595 and carries local military registration AS1429. It has been at least partly-funded by the EU’s External Borders Fund 2007-2013. Jeremy Parkin – HeliHub.com
Source: HeliHub.com, 19-Dec-14
The Helibras Institute held late on Tuesday (16), in Itajubá (MG) the graduation party of the first class of HeliAsas social project. The group of 27 young people received the diploma course in Aeronautical Maintenance Mechanics, taught by Helibras Training Center for free. With three and a half years in duration, students selected from two thousand subscribers… Read more »
19-Dec-14
AgustaWestland today congratulated the accomplishments of the Trinidad and Tobago Air Guard, as the country’s first Search and Rescue helicopter unit promoted two pilots to Command Officers and recognized the licensure by the Trinidad & Tobago Civil Aviation Authority of five engineers now authorized to work independently on the four multi-mission AW139s in operation by… Read more »
Source: AgustaWestland, 17-Dec-14
Rockwell Collins has received a $420 million, four-year contract from the Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) for continued deliveries of the ARC-210 advanced airborne software defined radio (SDR) system. Installed on more than 180 different aircraft platforms in 45 countries, the ARC-210 is considered the world’s standard for airborne radios. This contract will ensure that… Read more »
Source: Rockwell Collins, 17-Dec-14
This report analyzes the worldwide markets for Commercial and Military Flight Simulation in US$ Million by the following Product/Service Segments: Commercial Flight Simulation (Commercial Full Flight Simulators, Commercial Flight Training Devices, & Commercial Flight Training Services) and Military Flight Simulation (Military Full Flight Simulators, Military Flight Training Devices, & Military Flight Training Services). The report… Read more »
Source: Read the full report, 17-Dec-14
Bluedrop Training & Simulation Inc., a subsidiary of Bluedrop Performance Learning Inc. (“Bluedrop”) (TSX-V: BPL), was recently awarded two new contracts by Allied Wings, operators of the Contracted Flight Training and Support (CFTS) program, to develop Phase III Multi-Engine & Helicopter courseware. These projects are part of a larger scope of work that sees Allied… Read more »
Source: Bluedrop, 16-Dec-14
Airbus Helicopters has won the support contract to maintain, overhaul and ensure the availability of the German Army Aviation School’s fleet of EC135 training helicopters. This extends the existing contract, signed in 2005, by a further seven years. “At the core of the Airbus Helicopters full service contract is ensuring that on virtually every working… Read more »
Source: Airbus, 16-Dec-14
The Organisation conjointe de cooperation en matiere d’armement (OCCAR-EA), a European organization responsible for managing the through-life support of cooperative European defence programs, has awarded CAE a contract for the analysis of training needs for the German-French Tiger Helicopter Technical School located in Fassberg, Germany. The technical school is responsible for the theoretical and practical… Read more »
Source: CAE, 16-Dec-14
AAI Logistics & Technical Services, AAI Test & Training and AAI Unmanned Systems have been part of the Textron Systems enterprise for years now. We’ve now rebranded to be one Textron Systems. You’ve known us for years – our expertise, products and services remain as trusted and capable as ever. Now, get to know us… Read more »
Source: Textron, 16-Dec-14
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, was awarded a $56,394,775 modification (P00217) to contract W58RGZ-12-C-0008 to exercise an option for five UH-60M aircraft for foreign military sales case MX-B-UEU, Mexican Navy. Estimated completion date is May 30, 2016. Work will be performed in Stratford, Connecticut. Fiscal 2010 funds in the amount of $2,221,115 were obligated at… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 15-Dec-14
Robertson Fuel Systems LLC, Tempe, Arizona, is being awarded a $14,779,950 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-0097) to exercise an option for the procurement of two Mission Auxiliary Fuel Tank Systems for the MV-22 Osprey aircraft to extend range of flight requirements. Work will be performed in Tempe, Arizona, and is expected to… Read more »
Source: US DoD, 15-Dec-14
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Greece for CH-47D Chinook helicopters and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Greece has requested a… Read more »
Source: DSCA, 15-Dec-14
