3-Feb-2010Source: BBC
The men represent the cream of the Afghan military but elsewhere America is struggling to create a disciplined and modern force.... Read more
3-Feb-2010Source: Defence Talk
Iran has developed a new weapon to shoot down U.S. Apache attack helicopters, the Iranian Fars news agency has reported.... Read more
3-Feb-2010Source: Royal Navy
One of the Royal Navy pilots at Royal Naval Air Station Culdrose has clocked up more than 7000 hours in the air. Lieutenant Commander Nick Lee of 750 Naval Air Squadron passed that milestone recently and received a congratulatory cake from Lieutenant Commander Nick Armstrong, the Commanding Officer of the Squadron, to mark the occasion.... Read more
3-Feb-2010Source: Royal Navy
For 2 years the Commando Helicopter Force (CHF) Sea Kings have been flying operations in Afghanistan, mainly from Kandahar Airfield, with elements also based at Camp Bastion. Most missions are over the volatile Helmand region, 80 miles to the West of Kandahar. Regional Command (South) readily call on ‘Jungly‘ aircraft because of their rapid response... Read more
2-Feb-2010Source: Navy Times
he budget requests money for a mix of 28 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters and UH-1Y Venom utility helos for the Marine Corps; 30 MV-22B Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft; 24 MH-60R Seahawks for the Navy; and 18 MH-60S Seahawks. The budget submission also calls for three Fire Scout unmanned helicopters... Read more
2-Feb-2010Source: Defence Web
The Democratic Alliance (DA) says government, state arms acquisition agency Armscor and the Denel arsenal must act to save the deal as soon as possible... Read more
2-Feb-2010Source: BAE Systems
Aviators from the U.S. Marine Corps completed the integrated test phase of the Advanced Precision Kill Weapon System (APKWS) program Jan. 5, firing five rounds against stationary and moving targets. All five shots hit their intended targets within 2 meters of the laser designator’s spot. In the final series of shots in integrated testing, five... Read more
2-Feb-2010Source: News Vine
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. announced a billion-dollar venture Monday that it hopes will respond to military demand for technology to fight two wars, including Black Hawk helicopters that can see and fly on their own.... Read more
31-Jan-2010Source: http://translate.googleusercontent.com/translate_c?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&sl=pl&tl=en&u=http://lublin.gazeta.pl/lublin/1,35640,7506220,Agusta_Westland_kupuje_PZL_Swidnik__za_339_milionow.html&prev=_t&rurl=translate.google.com&twu=1&usg=ALkJrhh3wxsNDKCAidarTiORttRYBGTMnw
Some months after the outline agreement, AgustaWestland has finally close on the purchase of PZL Swidnik on Friday 29th January.... Read more
31-Jan-2010Source: MoneyControl
Chief Executive John Garrison told Reuters in an interview that the company sees demand from commercial clients stabilising this year from a sharp drop during the financial crisis before returning to growth in 2011 and 2012... Read more
30-Jan-2010
At a supplier conference in Ottawa, Boeing [NYSE: BA] outlined its proposed subcontracting plan for in-service support (ISS) of 15 Boeing CH-47 Chinook Medium-to-Heavy Lift Helicopters (MHLH), designated CH-147 for the Canadian Forces. Through the performance-based ISS program for the CH-147 fleet, Boeing could provide industry benefits of approximately $2 billion over 20 years. The... Read more
30-Jan-2010Source: The Helicopter Museum
The Helicopter Museum have put out the following advance notice:- A Russian Mil Mi-8 transport helicopter, once used by the Polish Air Force VIP Flight is due to arrive at The Helicopter Museum for permanent display next Friday (5th February) for unloading on the Saturday Morning (Starting circa 9am). Much used by military and civil... Read more
30-Jan-2010Source: Defense Security Cooperation Agency
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notified Congress of a possible Foreign Military Sale to the Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States of 60 UH-60M BLACK HAWK helicopters, technical and other related logistics support. The estimated cost is $3.1 billion. The Taipei Economic and Cultural Representative Office in the United States... Read more
30-Jan-2010Source: Lexington Institute
UH-60 Blackhawk, MH-60 SeaHawk, CH-47 Chinook, and V-22 Osprey are all cited as “High Priority”... Read more
30-Jan-2010Source: The Economist
Yeovil operation too reliant on upgrades? UK military order Chinook over Merlin; UK military spending under pressure... Read more
30-Jan-2010Source: FlightGlobal
India’s Hindustan Aeronautics expects its 5.5t-class light combat helicopter to fly for the first time in February.... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: Royal Navy
Lietenant Commander Gordon Cook Royal Navy, the Officer Commanding the Lynx Simulator based at RNAS Yeovilton, has recently clocked up 5,000 flying hours over his long and varied Naval career. Lt Cdr Gordon ‘Gordo’ Cook, who lives in Weymouth, joined the Navy as an Observer in February 1985 and after successful completion of flying training... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: Seattle Post-Intelligencer
HeliHub.com report on this 19-Aug-09 accident is here... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: The Telegram
It took two hours for a pair of military search and rescue (SAR) helicopters to arrive at the crash site – more than one hour after Cougar Helicopters’ SAR chopper arrived at the scene... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: FlightGlobal
Northrop Grumman says a recent series of tests demonstrates the reliability of a helicopter-based anti-missile system newly developed for US Army helicopters.... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: India Times
ICG is also going in for a major upgrade of its air wing, with 42 new aircraft already sanctioned by the government. Apart from 12 Dorniers and 30 helicopters, the force is also going to induct six medium-range maritime surveillance aircraf... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: Ducommun
Ducommun Incorporated (NYSE: DCO) today announced that its Ducommun AeroStructures, Inc. (DAS) subsidiary has been awarded an indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract for the V-22 Osprey titanium longeron assemblies. The V-22 Osprey is a multi-mission, military tiltrotor aircraft with both a vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) and short takeoff and landing (STOL) capabilities. It is... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] delivered a record five Apache Longbow Crew Trainers (LCTs) in 2009 — more than in any previous year — and all five have been declared “ready for training.” The U.S. Army accepted two LCT deliveries at Fort Hood, Texas; one in Illesheim, Germany; and one at Fort Drum, N.Y. The Egyptian Air... Read more
29-Jan-2010Source: BBC
If successful on the course, he will become a fully operational pilot with one of the six UK-based RAF Search and Rescue Force flights later this year... Read more
28-Jan-2010Source: US Marine Corps
The bitter cold and freezing Atlantic waters did not stop the search and rescue team of Marine Transport Squadron 1 from diving in during SAR training missions just off the coast of eastern North Carolina, Jan. 12. With the HH-46E helicopter, affectionately known as Pedro, in full flight, VMR-1’s SAR non commissioned officer in charge,... Read more
28-Jan-2010Source: US Marine Corps
More than 70 Marines with Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 366 departed for a 7-month deployment to the East African nation of Djibouti, Jan. 19. “The squadron’s mission is to provide combat troops and supplies at all times and during all weather conditions during expeditionary, joint or combined operations,†said Capt. Peter L. Lisowski, operations officer... Read more
28-Jan-2010Source: Australian Aerospace
Australian Aerospace has promised to create 750 skilled jobs to build the NH90 NFH locally if it is chosen to replace the Ran fleet of Seahawks and cancelled Super Seasprites.... Read more
27-Jan-2010Source: ENC Today
The MV-22 Osprey, the Marines’ unique tiltrotor aircraft, completed its first humanitarian mission in Haiti on Sunday, according to Marines from Camp Lejeune’s 24th Marine Expeditionary Unit.... Read more
27-Jan-2010Source: Kongsberg
Kongsberg Maritime has successfully delivered the first Helicopter Operations Surveillance System (HOSS) for amphibious ships to the U.S. NAVY as part of an $11,000,000 Naval Air Systems Command (NAVAIR) fixed price, Indefinite Delivery Indefinite Quantity contract awarded in December 2008. The new contract is a follow-on to the original HOSS contracts awarded in 2007 which... Read more
26-Jan-2010Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com Data Analysis – definitive and reliable reviews on key aspects of the global helicopter industry. Last week we launched this new series of articles with a statistical review of fatal helicopter accidents in 2009. This week we are reviewing the global MD Explorer fleet. Would you have believed there are only 111 Explorers operational... Read more
26-Jan-2010
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the helicopter in an obvious difficulty when one of its doors followed by a rotor blade falling off from the sky. They said they watched the helicopter going on a free spin before a loud bang followed apparently when it eventually crashed killing all four on board... Read more
25-Jan-2010Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today formally opened its new Precision Components Technology Center, launching a new path toward strategic competitive excellence beginning with the manufacture of CH-53K heavy lift helicopter components. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. ( UTX). The center will produce major dynamic components of the CH-53K helicopter such as rotating... Read more
22-Jan-2010Source: AAI
AAI Corporation, an operating unit of Textron Systems, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced today that the Royal Netherlands Air Force has selected its Advanced Boresight Equipment (ABE®) for aircraft harmonization on the AH-64D Apache Longbow® and CH-47F Chinook®helicopters. ABE is a gyro-stabilized, electro-optical angular measurement system designed to align aircraft subsystems. Under these new awards valued... Read more
22-Jan-2010Source: AFP
Bahrain finalised an agreement for nine Blackhawk-M helicopters at the kingdom’s air show, commander of the Bahraini air force General Sheikh Hamad bin Abdullah al-Khalifa said on Thursday.... Read more
22-Jan-2010Source: RotorNews
In a notice published in the Feberal Register on 7th January, “U.S. Coast Guard will, commencing on or about February 8,2010, implement plans to terminate the transmission of the Loran-C signal and commence a phased decommissioning of the Loran-C infrastructure.â€... Read more
22-Jan-2010Source: IDGA
he Institute for Defense and Government Advancement welcomes the Association of Naval Aviation as an official association partner for its upcoming Military Air Assets Exhibition and Conference. The event will take place this March 30–31, 2010 in at the Prime F. Osborn, III Convention Center in Jacksonville, Florida. The Association of Naval Aviation is an... Read more
22-Jan-2010Source: Hartford Courant
A five-year U.S. government contract won by Sikorsky Aircraft in 2007 will provide the Stratford helicopter maker with at least $1.5 billion this year.... Read more
21-Jan-2010Source: Eurocopter
Summary Eurocopter, the world’s leading helicopter manufacturer, met its business and delivery objectives for 2009 and stabilised its turnover at the level of its record year, 2008. The world economic crisis caused a sharp order decline in the civil market for light helicopters. However, governmental orders have over-compensated in value the drop in commercial unit... Read more
21-Jan-2010Source: US Air Force
Airmen take off into a high-flying career upon graduating from a classroom that hovers 500 feet above the ground. Students training at the 23rd Flying Training Squadron in Fort Rucker, Ala., are the Air Force’s primary source of helicopter pilots for special operations, combat search and rescue, missile support and distinguished visitor airlift missions. Although the post... Read more
20-Jan-2010Source: UK MoD
The first four upgraded Lynx Mk9 helicopters, which are to be sent to Afghanistan, have re-entered service, with three of the aircraft now being used for training, prior to deployment, at 9 Regiment Army Air Corps in Dishforth, North Yorkshire. The upgrades on initially twelve Mk9s were ordered by the MOD a year ago, with... Read more
20-Jan-2010Source: MSC.Software
MSC.Software, a leading global provider of simulation software and services, today announced that AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica Company and leading manufacturer in the global helicopter industry, has chosen MSC.Software CAE tools and simulation management technologies to power its “Advanced Simulation and Process management (ASaP)” project following a two-year evaluation. The ASaP Project is a multi-year initiative... Read more
20-Jan-2010Source: Elbit Systems
Elbit Systems Ltd. (NASDAQ:Â ESLT) announced today that its wholly-owned subsidiary Elbit Systems of America, LLC, has been awarded a contract from NAVAIR for Elbit Systems’ Tactical Video Data Link (TVDL) for the USMC AH-1W Attack Helicopter. The contract effort covers the development, production and installation of retrofit kits to incorporate TVDL into the AH-1W... Read more
20-Jan-2010Source: Hartford Courant
There are 11 Kaman SH-2g(I) Super Seasprite helicopters sitting idle awaiting buyers inside an aircraft storage building at the Kaman Corp. campus in Bloomfield. These military aircraft were sold to the Australian government but were returned to Kaman who now has to re-sell them... Read more
20-Jan-2010Source: Press Information Bureau
Flypast lead by four Mi-17s trooping flags, followed by three HAL Dhruvs... Read more
19-Jan-2010Source: Nivisys Industries
Nivisys Industries, LLC, a leader in Night Vision and Thermal technologies, announced today that they have retained Night Flight Concepts as the exclusive North American Distributor of their NVAG Night Vision Aviator Goggle. According to Tom Horwath, VP of Business Development for Nivisys, “Night Flight Concepts is the perfect Marketing extension for our NVAG; They... Read more
19-Jan-2010Source: HAI
HAI is pleased to announce the 2010 Sikorsky Humanitarian Service Award recipient, Crew of CGNR 6033; U.S. Coast Guard, Coast Guard Air Station Clearwater, Florida. On September 7, 2008, the crew of U.S. Coast Guard CGNR 6033 launched from Providenciales, Turks and Caicos, to respond to a stricken fishing vessel with four people aboard, 50... Read more
19-Jan-2010Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com Data Analysis – definitive and reliable reviews on key aspects of the global helicopter industry. We are launching this new series of articles with a statistical review of fatal helicopter accidents in 2009. HeliHub.com maintains an ongoing review of helicopter accidents throughout the year – see our Helicopter Accident page. Our review of fatal... Read more
19-Jan-2010Source: HeliHub.com
19-Jan-10 Weybridge, UK – HeliHub.com today launches its “Data Analysis” series. These are articles based on carefully researched data, and over a period of time will build to form an authoritative reference library for the world’s helicopter industry. Some subjects will be chosen as annual projects so that previous year’s reports can be compared year-on-year.... Read more
19-Jan-2010Source: Brahmand
Ten Mi-17s for law enforcement agencies and ten of another type for cargo work... Read more
19-Jan-2010Source: Sikorsky
The first S-70iâ„¢ BLACK HAWK helicopter, an international variant of the BLACK HAWK helicopter, is nearing completion on the assembly line at PZL Mielec, a Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. company in Poland. The progress of the first international BLACK HAWK variant signals the launch of a new helicopter in the Sikorsky product line. Sikorsky Aircraft is... Read more
18-Jan-2010Source: Punjab Newsline
After more than a decade Mi-26, the largest helicopter in the world, possessed by IAF and being operated from this Chandigarh base have attained 100 cent serviceability and flown all together for more than 45 min  (File photo)... Read more
16-Jan-2010Source: Defence Industry Daily
... Read more
16-Jan-2010Source: Flightglobal
The UK Royal Air Force has begun flying its first two of eight Boeing CH-47 Chinook HC3 transport helicopters, and says the type “will gradually join the routine rotation of aircraft through operational deployment in Afghanistan”... Read more
15-Jan-2010Source: Globe and Mail
It will also carry two CH-146 Griffon helicopters, part of batch of at least four helicopters being sent to help transport needed items through a country in rubble: another Griffon is to leave later Thursday on a cargo plane, and a Sea King will sail with the navy ships... Read more
15-Jan-2010Source: PlaneNews
A leading contender in the Canadian Maritime Helicopter Replacement Program (MHP) made its debut on the American continent in Ottawa. The NH90 demonstrated its outstanding maneuverability and superior handling capabilities to the media at the Canadian Aviation Museum... Read more
15-Jan-2010
A group of helicopters based in Canary participate in the mission that Spain takes place in Lebanon under the auspices of the United Nations Organization (UNO)... Read more
15-Jan-2010Source: JD News
In addition to three Navy ships, the MEU will deploy with CH-53E Super Stallion and UH-1 Huey helicopters, as well as 7-ton trucks, forklifts and other earth-moving equipment, supplies and water purification instruments.... Read more
15-Jan-2010Source: Trading Markets
The decision will be made official by the company’s board in mid-January.... Read more
14-Jan-2010Source: Kaman
Kaman Aerospace Group, Inc. a subsidiary of Kaman Corp. (Nasdaq: KAMN) today announced a broad organizational realignment in support of strategic growth plans.  The following appointments of executives reporting to Gregory L. Steiner, President, Kaman Aerospace Group were effective January 1, 2010: Kaman Composites is established as a newly formed operating group within the Kaman Aerospace Segment.  James... Read more
14-Jan-2010Source: BBC
The first of the Chinook Mk 3 helicopters bound for Afghanistan have arrived at a military base in Hampshire after an eight-year delay.... Read more
14-Jan-2010Source: Boeing
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] has selected Science Engineering Services Inc. (SES) to perform disassembly, inspection and repair on AH-64D Apache helicopters in preparation for their upgrade to the Block III configuration. The program will create approximately 70 new positions for aviation and avionics mechanics, structural installers, and aviation quality inspectors within SES. “Boeing is... Read more
14-Jan-2010Source: Curtiss-Wright
Curtiss-Wright Flow Control Company announced today that it has received a follow-on, multi-million dollar contract from Savunma Teknolojileri Mühendislik ve Ticaret A.S. ( “STM†Corporation) for the provision of the ASIST system and integrated track to be fitted on the second MiLGEM Corvette, TCG Büyükada. Work for this contract will be performed at INDAL Technologies,... Read more
13-Jan-2010Source: Elbit Systems of America
Elbit Systems of America, LLC, a wholly owned subsidiary of Elbit Systems Ltd. ( ESLT) announced receipt of contracts from the United States Marine Corps (USMC) for Elbit Systems of America Helmet Display and Tracker System (HDTS) for the USMC AH-1W Attack Helicopter. The contract effort covers the development of retrofit kits to incorporate HDTS... Read more
13-Jan-2010Source: CTV
430 Tactical Helicopter Squadron was honoured Monday for its contribution to Canada’s efforts in Afghanistan.... Read more
12-Jan-2010Source: USMC
The 40-year legacy of the CH-46 “Sea Knight†is built on stories of valor and heroism from Marines in combat missions around the world, but that era is coming to a close as the Marine Corps replaces the Sea Knight with it’s newest bird of prey, the MV-22 “Osprey.†In 2006, the Marine Corps became... Read more
11-Jan-2010Source: Safran Group
Since August 10, 2009, the three Tiger combat helicopters deployed by France in Kabul have been playing an active operational role in Afghanistan. After arriving in Afghanistan in July 2009, the three helicopters from the 5th Combat Helicopters Regiment, Pau, first of all underwent firing certification tests. These tests were successfully completed, and the Tigers... Read more
11-Jan-2010Source: Bell-Boeing
ST. LOUIS, Jan. 11, 2010 — Boeing [NYSE: BA] and partner Bell Helicopter delivered two MV-22 Osprey Containerized Flight Training Devices (CFTD) to the U.S. Marines at Marine Corps Air Station (MCAS) Miramar in California in the last quarter of 2009. “Before the deliveries to Miramar, Marines would have to spend months at a time... Read more
11-Jan-2010Source: US DoD
WASHINGTON — Discussions about the Army’s use of unmanned systems in the combat theater are likely to focus on bomb-detecting robots and ground vehicles able to navigate through hazardous terrain. Chances are the discussion won’t immediately go to one of the fast-growing fields in the Army: unmanned aircraft systems. These systems, operated at the tactical... Read more
11-Jan-2010Source: US Army
Army Special Operations aviation needs faster helicopters to meet the speed and range requirements needed to conduct operations in Iraq and Afghanistan, according to the 160th SOAR commander. Col. Clayton M. Hutmacher, commander, 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (Airborne), discussed regiment initiatives during the Association of the United States Army’s Institute of Land Warfare Army... Read more
11-Jan-2010Source: Sikorsky
STRATFORD, Connecticut – Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced that an Integration Design Review (IDR) of the CH-53K Heavy Lift Helicopter program has charted a course for a successful Critical Design Review in 2010. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). Sikorsky’s CH-53K program team hosted a two-day meeting in November to... Read more
