Airbus Defense & Space Inc., Herndon, Virginia, was awarded a $28,325,176 modification (P00918) to contract W58RGZ-06-C-0194 for logistic support for the UH-72A Lakota helicopter program. Work will be performed in Herndon, Virginia, with an estimated completion date of June 30, 2016. Fiscal 2015 operations and maintenance (Army) and other procurement funds in the amount of… Read more »
The newly-built Airbus Helicopters Training Academy that opened today in Germany marks the latest enhancement of the company’s support and services network, providing instructional courses for pilots and technicians. By expanding the educational capacities in Donauwörth, Airbus Helicopters conforms to its own high standards of quality and safety, insuring the training of capable and qualified… Read more »
BellHelicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the sale of the first Bell 412EPI in Europe to the Czech Police. The helicopter will be used for search and rescue missions and is expected to be delivered by the end of the year. “The BELL 412 EPI is one of the most reliable, rugged… Read more »
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, is being awarded $8,088,361for firm-fixed-price delivery order 5306 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0004) for nacelles physical configuration audit support for the H-53 in-service program. In addition, this order provides for the procurement of 36 production kits. Work will be performed in Tallahassee, Alabama (90 percent); and Stratford,… Read more »
HeliHub.com has started a company page on the hugely-successful business networking site LinkedIn.com – check out the HeliHub.com LinkedIn Company Page and hit the Follow button! We aim to post one story each working day on that page, and increase our already-steady input on LinkedIn forums. A LinkedIn Company Page makes it easy for organizations… Read more »
Spirit AeroSystems, Inc. [NYSE: SPR] today announced it has successfully delivered to Sikorsky the third fuselage section for the CH-53K ‘King Stallion’ heavy lift helicopter program’s System Demonstration and Test Article (SDTA) contract. Consisting of an integrated cockpit and cabin structure with a separately attached tail section, the composite-skinned fuselage will enable prime contractor Sikorsky… Read more »
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today delivered six CH-148 Cyclone helicopters to the CANADIAN GOVERNMENT during an acceptance celebration joined by Canada’s Defense Minister Jason Kenney, Public Works and Government Services Minister Diane Finley, Justice Minister Peter MacKay and Regional Ministers. Representing Sikorsky, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), was William Gostic, Vice President of… Read more »
The employees of the Utility Helicopter Office of the Program Executive Office for Aviation welcomed their new Colonel Thursday at a Change of Charter ceremony. See Full Story
Oregon lawmakers announced Thursday they are one step closer to being able to keep the Newport-based U.S. Coast Guard helicopter facility open through September 2016. See full story
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today the signature of a Memorandum of Understanding with Prague-based service and support provider LOM PRAHA for discussions on collaboration involving reassembly, customization and maintenance of Bell Helicopter military aircraft. To see images of the signing ceremony in Prague, please follow this link. “We are looking… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters showcases several ground-breaking research projects and new helicopter innovations for environment-friendly technologies during Paris Air Show. These projects are part of the company´s mid and long term research and development strategy to provide innovative solutions to reduce operating and maintenance costs while improving environmental protection, safety, quality and performance. The H160 is displayed… Read more »
Former Patriots and Veterans Affairs Minister Kim Yang is under investigation regarding allegations that he accepted at least 1 billion won ($894,000) in bribes in exchange for exerting his influence on a defense contract. See Full Story
Future Royal Australian Navy vessels will almost certainly be equipped with both manned and remote unmanned choppers that will reduce risk and cost. See Full Story
Italy’s Guardia Costiera (Coast Guard) are in the process of expanding their fleet of AgustaWestland AW139 helicopters, replacing older Agusta-built Bell 412s. Two AW139s were delivered recently and Robert Swan from Freelance Aerospace Writers alerted us to the pair test flying from Sarzana using callsigns “Nemo 5” and “Nemo 6”. Four more are due, two… Read more »
Boeing Co and BELL Helicopter, makers of the V-22 Osprey, say more countries are interested in buying the tiltrotor aircraft, with another 100 sales possible in coming years. See Full Story.
Textron Inc (TXT.N) is not interested in selling its BELL Helicopter business, despite the current downturn in the commercial sector, the company’s chief executive, Scott Donnelly, said. See Full Story.
Sikorsky Aircraft has assured the U.S. Marine Corps that a change in its ownership will not derail its work on the CH-53K, a new heavy-lift helicopter the company is building for the Marines, the top Marine in charge of aviation told Reuters. See Full Story.
The Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC), a 50-50 partnership between Honeywell International Inc. (NYSE: HON) and Rolls-Royce, has been selected by Turkish Aerospace Industries (TAI) to provide propulsion engines for the Turkish Light Utility Helicopter (TLUH) programme. TAI and LHTEC officials today signed a Memorandum of Understanding at the Paris Air Show and will… Read more »
NHI celebrated today the Initial Operational Capability of the Belgian NH90s. This event took place today in the NHI pavilion in presence of Colonel Dejaeger Commander of the Air Component of Belgium and the NHI Directoire. After having ordered 4 Tactical Transport NH90s and 4 Naval NH90s and proceeded to the training of its aircrews,… Read more »
NHI celebrated today the Initial Operational Capability of the Belgian NH90s. This event took place today in the NHI pavilion in presence of Colonel Dejaeger Commander of the Air Component of Belgium and the NHI Directoire. After having ordered 4 Tactical Transport NH90s and 4 Naval NH90s and proceeded to the training of its aircrews,… Read more »
During a visit to HMS OCEAN on Exercise Baltops in Poland and to the RAF Typhoon detachment conducting Baltic Air Policing in Estonia, Michael Fallon said an increase in the number of troops co-operating across the region sent a clear message about the Alliance’s resolve OCEAN, the Royal Navy’s flagship, is taking part in the… Read more »
Schiebel and Israel Aerospace Industries’ (IAI) subsidiary ELTA Systems Ltd., are preparing to demonstrate the ELK-7065 3D High Frequency (HF) Band COMINT interception and geo-location system installed on the Schiebel CAMCOPTER® S-100 UAS (Unmanned Air System) during Q3 2015. The ELK-7065 3D HF COMINT provides quick labelling and identification of HF signals, creating a reliable… Read more »
Turbomeca (Safran), Portuguese Air Force (Força Aérea Portuguesa) and DEFLOC (Locação de Equipamentos de Defesa, S.A.) have signed at the Paris Air Show, signed in the presence of the Portuguese Secretary of State, Assistant to The Minister of National Defense, Mrs Berta Cabral, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to support the Portuguese RTM322-powered EH101 fleet…. Read more »
Airbus Helicopters launched its first Suppliers Awards ceremony yesterday evening at the Musée de L’Air near the Paris Air Show at Le Bourget. This was the first event in what is to become an annual affair in order to recognize suppliers actively contributing to Airbus Helicopters’ quest for competitiveness. ”We are transforming ourselves to move… Read more »
The global community that operates Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft now has its own association to share their experience, expertise and passion: the H Pilot Club. Officially launched today at the Paris Air Show, the H Pilot Club will create a dialog among the flight crews, mechanics and customers who own and operate Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft, while… Read more »
Turbomeca (Safran), and Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL) have signed, at the Paris Air Show, a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) to establish in India a joint venture to support customers in India as well as some others of different countries. This joint venture will provide maintenance, repair and overhaul for Turbomeca and HAL engines installed on… Read more »
Raytheon Co., McKinney, Texas, is being awarded $10,405,640 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 7041 under a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00383-10-G-006D) for repair of units in support of the H-60 multi-spectral targeting system forward looking infrared system. Work will be performed in Jacksonville, Florida, and is expected to be completed by June 2017. Fiscal 2015… Read more »
Spirits ran high aboard the Karel Doorman, a warship with the Royal Netherlands Navy, as U.S. Marines with Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron 261 made the first MV-22 Osprey landing aboard a Dutch ship during an interoperability test conducted near Marine Corps Air Station New River, North Carolina, June 12. “What we normally do is support… Read more »
Schiebel´s CAMCOPTER® S-100 Unmanned Air System (UAS) has in a series of flights between 2 and 12 June 2015 successfully demonstrated its multi- sensor capability to the Royal Australian Navy (RAN) and other Australian Government Departments. The demanding trials took place near Nowra, on the South East Coast of Australia, and encompassed multiple scenarios, performed… Read more »
Garmin International Inc., a unit of Garmin Ltd. (NASDAQ: GRMN), today introduced D2 Bravo, a next-generation aviator watch that combines practical functionality and sophisticated design to bring pilots and aviation enthusiasts a premium GPS watch. D2 Bravo incorporates Garmin’s signature direct-to and nearest airport navigation features, complete with a worldwide aviation navigation database. New and… Read more »
Commissioning is an important historical occasion marking the formal induction of a squadron and its aircraft into the fleet. The MH-60R Seahawk ‘Romeo’ became part of 725 Squadron in a ceremony at HMAS Albatross in Nowra, New South Wales, on 11 June. Minister for Defence, the Hon Kevin Andrews said the introduction of the Romeo… Read more »
Eagle Copters is pleased to announce FAA STC installation approval for its Generation II Digital Audio Systems in Airbus Helicopters H145 (MBB-BK117 D-2) rotorcraft. This certification complements their product installation STCs that encompass more than 47 popular models of both Part 27 and Part 29 rotorcraft. For Law Enforcement applications, the system provides full access… Read more »
During the international military technology forum Army-2015 on 16 June 2015, Russian Helicopters (part of State Corporation Rostec) announced that a contract has been signed with the Belarusian Defence Ministry for delivery of 12 Russian-made Mi-8MTV-5 military transport helicopters over 2016-2017. “The Republic of Belarus is an important partner for Russia in military technical cooperation,”… Read more »
Russian Helicopters (part of State Corporation Rostec) is taking part in the international military technology forum Army-2015, which runs from 16 to 19 June in Kubinka, Moscow Region. Participants and visitors will have the opportunity to see Russian Helicopters’ military models, which are in service in the Russian Armed Forces, and also upcoming developments and… Read more »
Saudi Arabia is looking at a possible further order of new helicopters from Sikorsky Aircraft, a unit of United Technologies Corp, after a 10-helicopter purchase announced last month, the company said. See Full Story
ROYAL Navy helicopter pilots pocketed bonus payments of up to £100,000 if they agreed to remain ‘operationally flying’ for an extra five years – despite record cuts across the fleet. See Full Story
Italian Blade 2015, the 8th training event organised under the framework of the European Defence Agency’s Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP), will start on 22 June in Viterbo, Italy. Gathering about 40 helicopters from seven different countries, it will be one of the largest exercises organised since the establishment of the HEP. Aircraft from Austria, Belgium,… Read more »
Four U.S. companies providing nine U.S. Navy MH-60R SEAHAWK® helicopters and associated services to Danish Defence have launched the first phase of industrial cooperation projects in Denmark with the approval of the Danish Business Authority (DBA). “Currently, the four companies have fulfilled or initiated activities covering 50 percent of the total obligation,” said Mr. Anders… Read more »
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, and Spirit AeroSystems Inc. (NYSE: SPR) today announced major assembly has started on the Bell V-280 Valor fuselage. “Spirit AeroSystems brings decades of composite manufacturing experience to the team which allows us to quickly build an aircraft like the V-280,” said Phil Anderson, Spirit AeroSystems senior vice… Read more »
PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI) has ordered two AS365 N3+ Dauphin helicopters to boost the search and rescue (SAR) capabilities of Indonesia. Airbus Helicopters will deliver these twin-engine rotorcraft to PTDI within one year. These helicopters will be reassembled, tested, qualified, completed and customized by PTDI with mission equipment including hoists, flotation systems, direction finder, an… Read more »
L-3 Communications, Communication Systems–West, Salt Lake City, Utah, is being awarded a $10,077,336 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-12-C-2024) to exercise an option to manufacture, test, manage, and deliver eight AN/SRQ-4 Common Data Link Hawklink systems in support of the MH-60R aircraft. Work will be performed in Salt Lake City, Utah (60 percent);… Read more »
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, is being awarded a $38,838,189 modification to a previously awarded cost-plus-incentive-fee contract (N00019-06-C-0081) for the procurement of critical parts and associated support for two CH-53K system demonstration test article aircraft. The critical parts include forgings, castings, cores, beams, blocks for assemblies, frames, skins, spars and fitting assemblies. Work will be… Read more »
The Royal Thai Air Force ordered four H225M helicopters for SAR work back in September 2012 – when the model was known as the EC725 – and has now received the first three airframes at their base at Lop Buri. The three are serialled 20301, 20302 and 20303. In a ceremony on 3rd June, Air… Read more »
Dassault Systèmes (Paris:DSY) (Euronext Paris: #13065, DSY.PA), the 3DEXPERIENCE Company, world leader in 3D design software, 3D Digital Mock Up and Product Lifecycle Management (PLM) solutions, today announced that Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus Group, has chosen Dassault Systèmes’ “Build to Operate” industry solution experience for more efficient and profitable manufacturing operations management of… Read more »
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has received a five-year contract extending the company’s partnership with Corpus Christi Army Depot (CCAD). The public-private agreement supports the overhaul of complex parts for U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches and CH-47 Chinooks and provides the Army direct access to Boeing’s expertise in platform service and supply networks. The contract includes a base… Read more »
Turbomeca (Safran) is investigating new ground breaking technologies to address the need for greater performance and reduced environmental footprint of new-generation heavy rotorcraft. The TECH3000 demonstrator is a key technological basis of a new family of engines in the 3,000 shp range. It will enable Turbomeca to validate the design and core performances of such… Read more »
Elbit Systems introduces Canary, an integrated physiological monitoring device for pilots, providing real-time alerts in case of in-flight life threatening situations. In extreme cases, such as hypoxia or loss of consciousness, a warning will appear, either as an audio-visual alert on the pilot’s Helmet Mounted Display (HMD) or via the aircraft’s mission computer using the… Read more »
United Technologies Corp on Monday announced that it would exit its helicopter unit and said it would announce by the end of the third quarter whether it would sell or spin off its $8 billion Sikorsky Aircraft business. See full story
[electronic translation] Holding “Helicopters of Russia” State Corporation Rostec proceeded to the next stage of modernization of the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant ( U-UAP ) – in the next two years the park equipment tool production is planned to upgrade 80%. The amount of investment in this project will exceed 300 million rubles. “Minimizing the use of manual labor,… Read more »
Pratt & Whitney Canada (P&WC) will showcase its broad range of advanced engine products and world-class services for the global aviation market at the 51st International Paris Air Show at Le Bourget Airport June 15-21. Pratt & Whitney Canada is a United Technologies Corp. company (NYSE:UTX). The International Paris Air Show is the world’s most iconic… Read more »
Intevac Photonics,* Santa Clara, California, was awarded a $12,626,081 firm-fixed-price contract with options for Electronic Image Intensifier Ship-Set for Lot 4, Apache AH-64D/E Program. Work will be performed in Santa Clara, California, with an estimated completion date of Oct. 31, 2017. One bid was solicited with one received. Fiscal 2015 other procurement funds in the… Read more »
Lynn Tilton, the high-profile fund manager who has been accused by the Securities and Exchange Commission of overbilling investors, has launched a new defense against the agency. See Full Story
Kuwait will buy 24 long-range Airbus Caracal helicopters from France, Elysee Palace said Wednesday, in a deal that was agreed to during talks between the countries’ leaders. See Full Story
Airbus Helicopters will be presenting four aircraft on the static display. The full scale representative model of the all-new highly innovative H160 will be presented for the first time in Europe. The H160 brings form and function together in a highly stylized rotorcraft, which integrates as many as 68 different Airbus Helicopters-patented technologies including the… Read more »
Skanska (STO:SKAB) has signed an agreement with the Swedish Fortifications Agency to build a combined helicopter hangar and administration building at the wing F17 in Kallinge, Sweden. This contract is worth SEK 310 M, which will be included in order bookings for Skanska Sweden in the second quarter of 2015. The assignment includes construction of… Read more »
Elbit Systems will present a wide range of innovative next generation systems at the upcoming 51th Paris Air Show, set to take place in Le Bourget, from June 15 – 21, 2015. Visitors to the company’s booth (Chalet A-200, booth and outdoor display area A-8) will have an excellent opportunity to view new products and… Read more »
Lockheed Martin MS2, Owego, New York, has been awarded a maximum $9,933,000 firm-fixed-price delivery order (0001) against corporate contract SPRWA1-13-D-2000 for flight computers in support of the NAVAIR H-60 program. This was a sole source acquisition using justification 10 USC 2304 (c)(1). Location of performance is New York, with an Oct. 31, 2018, performance completion… Read more »
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Connecticut, is being awarded $7,710,680 for firm-fixed-price delivery order 4028 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0004) for non-recurring engineering (NRE), logistics and program support required to produce and deliver six Moving Map Integration (MMI) air vehicle production and installation kits, and associated supporting documentation for the Navy MH-60R/S aircraft…. Read more »
Hire our Aviation Heroes (AviationHeroes.org) is providing a new platform and opportunities for veteran jobseekers and employers to connect in the aviation industry by launching an online job fair event on June 24th, 2015. Aviation Heroes is happy to partner with leading associations in the industry in bringing a value-add tool to each association member…. Read more »
The Ministry of Defence is investing £80 million in new specialist equipment to help train the Royal Air Force and Royal Navy helicopter pilots and rear crews of the future. A £51million contract with Lockheed Martin UK will support Chinook Mk 6 training and a £29 million contract has been awarded to AgustaWestland to provide… Read more »
Airbus Helicopters and Niagara Helicopter celebrate their new partnership in the presence of local dignitaries, management and employees from both companies. The partnership between the two local Niagara companies was solidified with the delivery of 4 new H130 aircraft to Niagara Helicopters, who provide flight seeing tours over the Niagara Falls to customers from all… Read more »
Sikorsky Aircraft is cutting up to 500 jobs at its PZL Mielec plant in Poland, according to multiple reports See full report Image shows first flight of a Poland-produced S70i at Mielec
AEM’s new 600W Loud Speaker system has been selected by the Korean Coast Guard for installation on its B412 and AS565 helicopters. The first 2 installations have been completed, tested and certified in Korea by UI Helicopter, a Subsidiary Company of the UI Group. A total of 5 systems will be installed on the Bell… Read more »
The German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) have awarded Airbus Helicopters a full-service contract for the new H145M rotorcraft – which is to make its military debut with the German Air Force later this year. This seven-year comprehensive co-operative support and services agreement will ensure optimal availability, reliability and readiness for the German Air Force’s fleet of… Read more »
Following an industry competition, Lockheed Martin, who act as the Ministry of Defence’s prime contractor for the Merlin helicopter have selected a new generation of the Thales Search water radar and Cerberus mission system to be fitted to specially adapted Merlins to provide the Navy with an airborne surveillance and control capability (ASaC). The fleet… Read more »
Lockheed Martin Mission Systems and Training, Owego, New York, is being awarded an $8,463,768 modification to delivery order 4001 issued against a previously awarded basic ordering agreement (N00019-14-G-0019) for non-recurring efforts for integration of software modifications of Automatic Dependent Surveillance – Broadcast into Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Guidance units in support of the MH-60 R/S… Read more »
May 27 The U.S. Navy on Wednesday said it had signed a deal with Japan to buy components from two decommissioned, U.S.-built MH-53E heavy-lift helicopters operated by the Asian country, and other spare parts to help service its own aging fleet of H-53 aircraft. See Full Story
Bell/Boeing Joint Program Office, California, Maryland, is being awarded a $38,453,181 modification to delivery order 0006 under previously awarded contract (N00019-09-D-0008) for various repair parts for the V-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in Fort Worth, Texas (80 percent); and Ridley Park, Pennsylvania (20 percent), and work will be completed by December 2017. Fiscal 2015… Read more »
For just over 49 years, the UH-1H Iroquois helicopter fleet has served the RNZAF, NZDF and New Zealand. On May 2015, a formal function will mark the retirement of the Iroquois (Huey) and bottles from the New Zealand Whisky Company will be auctioned to commemorate each helicopter. See Full Story.
Today at CANSEC, Canada’s premiere defence trade show, CAE announced that a comprehensive suite of CH-147F Chinook simulators and training devices have completed on-site acceptance testing at Canadian Forces Base (CFB) Petawawa and are now ready-for-use by the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF). The RCAF has begun interim pilot training using the CH-147F weapon systems… Read more »
[electronic translation] The new NH90 helicopters of the Defence be ready to conduct operations in a ‘friendly’ environment. At the airbase of Beauvechain, the commander of the Air Component May 20, the 18th squadron officially ‘initial operational capable’ explained. “We are pleased that we now have a new operational capability,” said Major General Frederik Vansina… Read more »
On Thursday, May 21, 2015, Rep. Brad Wenstrop (R-Ohio) plans to sneak into a larger bill an amendment that would severely limit veterans’ funding for flight-training degree programs. Show your support for our veterans: contact the heads of the Veterans’ Affairs Committee TODAY to prevent the inclusion of amendments that restrict GI benefits for flight training…. Read more »