28-May-2010Source: Loughborough Echo
The new Defence Secretary Liam Fox told the Commons an independent review of the evidence surrounding the crash had been promised when the Conservative Party were in opposition.... Read more
28-May-2010Source: Bloomberg Business Week
Special Ops unit members Gary Linfoot and Gregory Cooper were flying the helicopter south of Baghdad when its main rotor driveshaft failed and the aircraft crashed, according to a complaint filed in Wilmington, Delaware.... Read more
28-May-2010Source: US Dept of Justice
Bell Helicopter Textron Inc. has agreed to pay the United States an additional $3,718,770, bringing the total paid to resolve civil claims arising from the company’s cost charging practices on some of its contracts with the government to $16,570,018, the Justice Department announced today. The Army and other government agencies contract with the Ft. Worth,... Read more
28-May-2010Source: US DoD
Clayton International, Inc.*, Peachtree City, Ga., is being awarded a $6,332,010 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-10-D-0013) to perform inspections, repairs and related services in support of H-3 helicopters for the governments of Egypt, Peru and Argentina. Work will be performed in Peachtree City, Ga., and is expected to be completed in December... Read more
28-May-2010Source: Kaman
Kaman Aerospace Corporation (Kaman) announced today that the U.S. Army Aviation and Missile Research Development and Engineering Center (AMRDEC), has awarded a $2.9M contract to Kaman’s Helicopter Division. The contract will develop enhanced mission capabilities for the Unmanned K‑MAXâ helicopter. “Under the contract, Kaman Helicopters will be adding mission equipment to a test aircraft that... Read more
28-May-2010Source: US DoD
Aviall Services, Dallas, Texas, is being awarded a maximum $17,325,000 firm-fixed-price, sole-source contract for helicopter engine parts. There are no other locations of performance. Using service is Army. There was one proposal originally solicited with one response. The date of performance completion is May 30, 2013. The Defense Logistics Agency Philadelphia (DSCR-AHB), Redstone Arsenal, Ala.,... Read more
27-May-2010Source: Summit Aviation
Greenwich AeroGroup, Inc. announced today that Summit Aviation will expand its Delaware operation with additional modification, maintenance, repair, and overhaul capabilities. The 78,000 square-feet expansion includes a 37,400 square-foot hangar that can accommodate eight Boeing CH-47 Chinook model aircraft or three Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey aircraft; a 9,200 square-foot paint facility; two cold storage units... Read more
27-May-2010Source: Avionews
Japan needs SAR helicopters for air divisions of its forces of Navy, Army and Air Force. And sources close to the Tokyo’s Government unveiled that a call for bids could be launched in June... Read more
27-May-2010Source: Orange County Register
Ceramics armor manufacturer Ceradyne has agreed to pay $1.2M to resolve a lawsuit claiming it failed to adequately test the armor plated inserts for Black Hawks... Read more
27-May-2010Source: BLR Aerospace
Everett, Wash., May 27, 2010 — The Federal Aviation Administration has certified increased hover performance for UH-1H helicopters equipped with the FastFin™ Tail Rotor Enhancement and Stability System and Lycoming T53-13B engines. FAA certified data shows that operators who install FastFin on their UH-1 helicopters (with Lycoming T53-13B engines) may increase their useful load by... Read more
27-May-2010Source: US DoD
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., is being awarded a $7,079,047 firm-fixed-price modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery/indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-07-D-0004) to exercise an option for the VH-60N executive helicopter special progressive aircraft rework induction. Work will be performed in Stratford, Conn., and is expected to be completed in September 2011. Contract funds in the amount of... Read more
26-May-2010Source: Royal Navy
In the mist and drizzle of a shrouded West Coast of Scotland the Royal Navy’s helicopter search and rescue duty crew of HMS Gannet have had their busiest 24-hour period of the year so far with no less than five call-outs. Going on call at 0900hrs on the morning of Wednesday 19 May, the crew... Read more
26-May-2010
The Black cats kicked off their season for 2010 at the Duxford Spring Air Show in Cambridgeshire. As this was the first event of the season, hopes were high that the weather would hold and the display would flow. Luckily both did! The crowds had already gathered to see the various visitors turn up on... Read more
26-May-2010Source: UK MoD
Upgraded Army Lynx Mk9A helicopters have arrived for use in Afghanistan after being shipped from the UK, and are already being put to good use. The Lynx Mk9As, with their increased fire power, more powerful engines, and the ability to operate all year in the harsh ‘hot and high’ Afghan environment, have increased the total... Read more
26-May-2010Source: Mayport Mirror
Cmdr. Michael Steffen relieved Cmdr. Donald Allerton as commanding officer of Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron Light 60 during a change of command ceremony on May 8. Guest speaker for the event was Cmdr. William Pevey.... Read more
25-May-2010Source: IVA
The Air Force will buy Mi-28, Ka-52 and significantly upgraded Mi-8... Read more
25-May-2010Source: Reuters
An internal ministry report obtained by Reuters on Tuesday said the step was being taken because of serious problems with the wiring of the helicopter built by EADS unit Eurocopter.... Read more
25-May-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Ukraine company Aviakon has recently been conducting some flight tests of a the Mi-8MTV fitted with the new TV3-117VMA-SBM1V engine model, in association with engine manufacturer Motor Sich. The TVZ-117VMA-SBM1V is based on turboprop engine TVZ-117VMA-SBM1 used by the Antonov AN-140 regional aircraft, and adapted for helicopter use – the “V” suffix relates to the... Read more
25-May-2010Source: Karachi News
Pakistan is believed to have indicated in the letter that the helicopters could be used effectively in on-going war on terror and would be helpful in controlling the menace of terrorism... Read more
25-May-2010Source: HAL
Indian aviation fraternity in general and HAL in particular is eager to witness another milestone event, when Hon’ble Defence Minister Shri A.K Antony will dedicate the Light Combat Helicopter (LCH) to the nation on coming Sunday at HAL Airport. Indigenously developed and built by HAL in a record time, a derivative of Advanced Light Helicopter... Read more
25-May-2010Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, is pleased to announce that the Italian Coast Guard has taken delivery of its first AW139 medium twin helicopter during an official ceremony held at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate plant in Italy. The AW139 will perform a range of missions including maritime patrol, search and rescue (SAR) and emergency medical services. Three more... Read more
25-May-2010Source: Triumph Group
Triumph Group have announced that it has received early termination of the Hart-Scott-Rodino (HSR) waiting period from the Federal Trade Commission’s Premerger Notification Office for the relevant transactions effecting Triumph’s previously announced plan to acquire Vought Aircraft Industries, Inc. Subject to the satisfaction of customary closing conditions, Triumph anticipates completing the acquisition in June of... Read more
25-May-2010Source: Sstar-Telegram
John Garrison, the fifth chief executive in nine years, says he wants to change that by setting a clear, focused and balanced long-term direction.... Read more
24-May-2010Source: Winnipeg Free Press
Sikorsky spokesperson Marianne Heffernan said “”GE is developing the new CT7-8A7 engine using their in house funds” – the previous plans were for the CT7-8A1 engine, but the new one will reportedly produce 100 more horsepower.... Read more
24-May-2010Source: Arizona Republic
In a May 20 letter, released by Brewer’s office on Friday, the governor asks the federal government to reallocate some of the nation’s network of OH-58 Kiowa helicopters to Arizona for use in border missions. Click on the “Arizona Republic” link for the press story, or here for the full 18-page pack sent by the... Read more
24-May-2010Source: US Navy
KADENA AIR BASE, Japan (AFNS) — Four members of the 33rd Rescue Squadron here were named the 2009 MacKay Trophy winners. Capt. Robert Rosebrough, 1st Lt. Lucas Will, Master Sgt. Dustin Thomas and Staff Sgt. Tim Philpott, the crew of an HH-60G Pavehawk combat search and rescue helicopter “Pedro 16”, have been recognized for their... Read more
20-May-2010Source: Voice of Russia
Heli-Russia 2010 opened today in Moscow. This article presents the first show overview... Read more
20-May-2010Source: ProMetal RCT
The ProMetal Rapid Casting Technology division of The Ex One Company, LLC (with locations in Irwin, PA, Troy, MI and Houston, TX) in partnership with Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation was awarded the coveted Robert L. Pinckney Award by the Vertical Flight Society of the American Helicopter Society. The award is given in recognition of notable achievement... Read more
20-May-2010Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com is having great success with its “Gallery†feature, recording over 2,000 images added in two and a half months. The Flickr gallery provides users of HeliHub.com the opportunity to upload their own photos, and the early success is demonstrating just how valuable this will become over time. HeliHub.com plans to utilise this gallery to... Read more
20-May-2010Source: Royal Navy
824 Naval Air Squadron, based at Royal Navy Air Station Culdrose near Helston in Cornwall has been awarded the Fleet Air Arm’s Bambara Flight Safety Shield. This annual award was given to 824 NAS in recognition of the Squadron’s commendable Flight Safety ethos throughout the last year. The shield was presented by Rear Admiral Tom... Read more
20-May-2010Source: HeliHub.com
The Sri Lankan Air Force has agreed to provide a helicopter service to get people to and from the airport, following recent flooding in the region. The SLAF has for a long time operated a commercial arm under the name of Helitours, albeit with the helicopters retained in military colours and with military serials. HeliHub.com... Read more
20-May-2010Source: US Marine Corps
Federal and state fire agencies remain ready to respond after local military and civilian fire personnel completed their third annual aerial firefighting drill at Camp Pendleton, May 13. Approximately 34 emergency service personnel and several aircraft from Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Air Station Miramar, Naval Air Station North Island and California’s Department... Read more
20-May-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Ukraine’s Minister of Emergency Situations Nestor Shufrych has announced that a Mil Mi-2 helicopter has been allocated to a summer SAR role for the Sea of Azov. This 14,500 square mile sea is bordered by Ukraine to the north and Russia to the south and south-east. The helicopter will fly in daylight hours only from... Read more
19-May-2010Source: Australian Dept of Defence
Specialist personnel from the European engine manufacturer (Turbomeca and Rolls Royce have been brought to Australia to assist with the ongoing investigation into a technical incident with an Australian Defence Force (ADF) Multi Role Helicopter (MRH90) last month. The helicopter suffered an engine failure in one of its two main engines on 20 April 2010,... Read more
17-May-2010Source: Arizona Republic
The American Helicopter Society International honored an aerospace engineer from Boeing Co. in Mesa with the industry’s version of the Oscar for his leadership and innovation to improve vertical flight... Read more
17-May-2010Source: NATO Training Mission
The Afghan National Army Air Corps’s 377th Rotary Wing Squadron conducted their first combined operation mission on May 13th, 2010 using two Mi-17s for transport and two Mi-35s to provided air escort. Three mixed U.S. and Afghan crews and one all Afghan crew transported 70 Afghan National Army troops from Jalalabad to Forward Operating Base BOSTICK. The Mi-17s transported... Read more
17-May-2010Source: NATO Trade Mission
U.S. Air Force Major Caleb Nimmo is the first American Mi-35 HIND attack helicopter pilot to fly in combat. He is deployed to Afghanistan advising the Afghan National Army Air Corps’ rotary wing squadron as part of the 438th Air Expeditionary Wing, Combined Air Power Transition Force. The 377th Rotary Wing Squadron of the Kabul... Read more
14-May-2010Source: Belgian Military
Belgium has for many years had a two-ship demonstration team comprising of two AgustaWestland A109BA helicopters. This year is no exception, but the military command is clear that the two helicopters can be pressed back into military service on request, ready to intervene in various scenarios such as: Peace keeping and enforcement operations Help to... Read more
14-May-2010Source: Royal Navy
It was with a tremendous sense of pride that Royal Marines and Royal Naval personnel of the Commando Helicopter Force were presented with the Fleet Air Arm’s Bambara Flight Safety Trophy for 2009 from Rear Admiral T Cunningham Chief of Staff Aviation. This coveted prize is awarded annually to the Fleet Air Arm unit that... Read more
14-May-2010Source: RIA Novosti
“We are working on the concept of the fifth-generation combat helicopter,” the paper quoted the company’s CEO, Andrei Shibitov, as saying at a news conference in Moscow, confirming that the company was going to spend some $1 billion on the project, with more investment expected to be allocated from the state budget.... Read more
14-May-2010Source: CPI Aero
CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (“CPI Aero(R)”) (CVU 9.19, -0.05, -0.54%)Â announced today that it has received a purchase order from Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation valued at approximately $680,000 for the S-70B(R) SEAHAWK(R) helicopter. CPI Aero will be providing Penguin Missile Launcher assemblies. Delivery of these parts will begin in early 2011. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United... Read more
13-May-2010Source: Boeing
The Boeing Company {NYSE: BA} and the Government of Jordan today announced the signing of a Letter of Intent for the AH-6i Light Attack/Reconnaissance. In a brief ceremony, arranged by Jordanian government leaders at the 8th Annual Special Operations Forum and Exhibition (SOFEX) 2010 at the King Abdullah I Airbase in Amman, Jordan – military... Read more
13-May-2010Source: FlightGlobal
Entry into service for the US Marine Corps’ Sikorsky CH-53K has been delayed by three years until fiscal year 2018, but the 7,500shp-class General Electric GE38-1 engine will arrive on schedule, programme officials say.... Read more
12-May-2010Source: Australian Dept of Defence
International Stabilisation Force (ISF) soldiers have conducted a Tactical Rotary Wing Exercise (TACREX) to enhance the capability of the East Timor Defence Force (F-FDTL). Elements of the ISF and the F-FDTL simulated a joint company assault by helicopter on an abandoned prison complex in Manatuto, with soldiers from Brisbane-based Alpha Company, 8/9 Battalion, The Royal... Read more
11-May-2010Source: DNA India
If reports emanating from the defence ministry are any indication, the purchase process will be halted and tender cancelled. The reason cited for imminent cancellation is deviations shown by the helicopters fielded by the contenders in the trials.... Read more
11-May-2010Source: Suarakarya
This article covers more of the operational aspects of the exercise over the details of the helicopters, but it is good to see these two countries working together in this way.... Read more
11-May-2010Source: Janes IDR
The system facilitates control of helicopter operations and their actions within forward landing sites, enabling ATC to be quickly established, along with all of the communications, navigation and landing aids required for IFR compliance.... Read more
11-May-2010Source: Zephyr International
Zephyr International LLC has delivered and installed a State of the Art Rescue Hoist Test Facility to the US Coast Guard’s Support Facility in Elizabeth City N.C. The test facility is designed to operate and test the Rescue Hoists in use by the Coast Guard on their Jay Hawk and Dauphine helicopters. The facility utilizes... Read more
11-May-2010
AgustaWestland has conducted a series of tests on the undercarriage of the future Lynx naval helicopter using HBM’s data acquisition equipment to ensure superior operational landing performance. The Lynx – with a maximum take-off weight of 6,000 kg – has a long pedigree as a twin-engine, multi-role aircraft used by the British Army and the... Read more
11-May-2010Source: US DoD
General Electric Engine Services, Inc., Cincinnati, Ohio, was awarded on April 30, 2010 a $9,196,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the overhaul and upgrade of 20 Y700-GE-701C turbine engines to the T700-GE-701D configuration applicable to the UH-60 Blackhawk and AH-64 Apache helicopters. The National Stock Numbers are 2840-01-284-4011 and 2840-01-503-1701. Work is to be performed in Arkansas... Read more
11-May-2010Source: US DoD
The Boeing Co., Mesa, Ariz., was awarded on May 5 a $22,556,000 firm-fixed-price contract for the award of advance procurement/long lead for 10 Egyptian Block II Apache AH-64D helicopters. Work is to be performed in Mesa, Ariz., with an estimated completion date of April 30, 2011. One bid was solicited with one bid received. U.S.... Read more
11-May-2010Source: Eurocopter
The mission capabilities of Eurocopter helicopters produced for Middle East military services and law enforcement agencies are being highlighted at this week’s 2010 Special Operations Forces Exhibition and Conference (SOFEX) in Jordan. Eurocopter’s participation at SOFEX 2010 includes the exhibit of AS350 B3 and EC635 rotary-wing aircraft from the Royal Jordanian Air Force, along with... Read more
11-May-2010Source: Eurocopter
Cécile Vion-Lanctuit has been appointed as Eurocopter Group’s Vice President of Corporate Communications. In her new role, Vion-Lanctuit reports to CEO Lutz Bertling and oversees all internal and external communications for Eurocopter. Prior to this new position, Vion-Lanctuit, 43, was Eurocopter’s Head of International Media Relations since January 2007, and previously worked as one of... Read more
11-May-2010Source: Aerojet
Aerojet, a GenCorp (NYSE: GY) company, announced today that it has been selected by The Boeing Company to supply heavy alloy weights for Boeing’s revolutionary Composite Main Rotor Blade (CMRB) in support of the AH-64D Apache Block III (AB3) program. Under the initial contract, Aerojet will deliver completed rotor weights to support Boeing’s production of... Read more
9-May-2010Source: Quatro Composites
Since 2007, Quatro has manufactured composite wiper blades for application in several military helicopters’ windshield wiper systems, including the Eurocopter NH90. Broadening their production portfolio, Quatro will begin the design phase for the composite wiper blades for the Sikorsky CH-53K Super Stallion helicopter in May 2010. Driven by the increased strength, stiffness, light weight properties,... Read more
7-May-2010Source: Guardian
The 14-year-old distracted a Sea King crew searching for a missing kayaker off the river Tees estuary by sweeping the sky in front of them with a narrow beam of green light... Read more
7-May-2010Source: Selex Galileo
SELEX Galileo, a Finmeccanica Company and a key player in the Electronic Warfare (EW) market is delighted to announce its successful participation in the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD)’s Project Baker. The Company has been awarded contracts worth in excess of £10 Million as part of an Urgent Operational Requirement (UOR) to provide an integrated... Read more
6-May-2010Source: Royal Navy
77 Royal Navy Sea King crew members from 857 Naval Air Squadron have been presented with their Afghanistan Operational Service Medals by The Prince of Wales. Naval Officers and Ratings from the Squadron marched from Wellington Barracks past Buckingham Palace and up the Mall to receive the Operational Service Medal at a Royal medal presentation... Read more
6-May-2010Source: Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems of America, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:Â ESLT), was awarded a 5-year, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity (IDIQ) contract by the U.S. Army PM Air Warrior, Redstone Arsenal, Huntsville, Alabama. Elbit Systems of America, Airborne Solutions, will supply Improved Signal Data Converter (ISDC) processors to the U.S. Army fleet of... Read more
5-May-2010Source: US Marine Corps
Marine Medium Helicopter Squadron 165 (Reinforced), the Flying Leatherneck Aviation Museum and Marine Corps Air Station Miramar joined forces commemorating the 35th anniversary of Operation Frequent Wind and the unveiling of “Lady Ace 09,” the CH-46E Sea Knight helicopter that evacuated Ambassador Graham Martin from the South Vietnamese Embassy in 1975. Hundreds of Marines, their... Read more
5-May-2010
The U.S. military is pleased with the performance of the V-22 tilt-rotor aircraft in Iraq and Afghanistan, but is still working hard to improve its readiness, the Pentagon’s program manager said on Tuesday.... Read more
5-May-2010Source: Northstar Aerospace
(All amounts in this news release are stated in U.S. dollars.) Northstar Aerospace (Canada), Inc., a subsidiary of Northstar Aerospace, Inc. (“Northstar”), has received a purchase contract from The Boeing Company for the production of transmission components using the innovative split-torque Face Gear technology for the U.S. Army’s AH-64D Apache Block III Helicopter Modernization Program.... Read more
5-May-2010
Eurocopter will receive a Community grant amounting to 11.2 million euros to strengthen its industrial project in Albacete. This was approved by the Governing Council at its meeting yesterday... Read more
5-May-2010
Fire-X Adds Cargo, Range, Payload Capabilities to Proven Fire Scout Architecture U.S. war fighters will be able to keep tabs on their enemies for longer periods of time, communicate more easily with their commanders, and deliver more cargo to more remote locations using the new Fire-X medium-range vertical unmanned aerial system (VUAS) unveiled today by... Read more
4-May-2010Source: Kaman
Kaman Aerostructures has recently delivered its 500th H-60 helicopter cockpit to Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation, a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The milestone UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter cockpit will be incorporated into an airframe which will undergo final assembly at Sikorsky’s Bridgeport, Conn. facility for delivery to the U.S. Army. Delivery of Kaman’s 500th H-60... Read more
4-May-2010Source: American Eurocopter
Columbus, Mississippi – Civilianjobs.com announced American Eurocopter as a winner of its 2010 Most Valuable Employers (MVE) for Military™ recognition. American Eurocopter was one of 25 to earn the honor, which was open to all U.S.-based companies. MVEs are selected based on surveys in which employers outline their recruiting, training and retention plans that best... Read more
4-May-2010Source: Kaman
Kaman Aerospace Corporation, a subsidiary of Kaman Corporation (Nasdaq GS: KAMN), has proven in recent tests that the unmanned K-MAX helicopter can resupply troops with cargo airdropped by parachute. The tests add a new delivery method for the 6,000-pound power lifter, which Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) and Kaman have successfully transformed into an unmanned aircraft... Read more
4-May-2010Source: El Universal
Iranian defense minister, Ahmad Vahidi, said his country had made new combat helicopters, equipped with antitank missiles and with “full national technology.”... Read more