19-Oct-2016Source: Honeywell
Honeywell has signed an agreement with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) to further develop the next generation of precision inertial technology. As a legacy supplier of this navigation technology for commercial and military applications, Honeywell is working to improve the accuracy of inertial measurement unit (IMU) technology by three orders of magnitude compared... Read more
19-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
China’s People’s Liberation Army will soon receive upgraded versions of the WZ-10, fitted with cannons, machine guns and guided missiles. The PLA will have a strong fleet, combing the WZ-10s and their WZ-19s and WZ-9s. Their fleet is strong in terms of combat, but they are looking into multipurpose helicopters, such as the US Army’s... Read more
18-Oct-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters Japan has signed a contract with Japan Maritime Self-Defence Force (JMSDF) for Performance-based Logistics (PBL) benefiting from Airbus Helicopters’ new customer fleet availability service offer called HCare. The PBL is a contract method that involves payment of compensation according to the level of equipment performance achieved in terms of availability ratio and stable... Read more
17-Oct-2016Source: Russian Helicopters
Russia’s Deputy Minister of Defense Yuri Borisov visited Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant today, a subsidiary of Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation Rostec where a prototype of a modernized Mi-28 combat helicopter is starting its flight tests. While at the plant, Yuri Borisov took a close look at the new combat helicopter and its design... Read more
17-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
A military contract has been signed between Russia and Peru, where Russia will deliver R-312AT military radio systems, as well as 24 Russian Mi-171SH transport helicopters. This contract will help Peru save more than $11.5 million. As reported by Sputnik News, there is talk of another $1 million being provided for the possible construction of... Read more
17-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Pawan Hans, an Indian Government-owned company is setting new goals for when they open to the public in either late 2017 or early 2018. By 2027 they aim to have a revenue of Rs 1600 crore, from the Rs 500 crore they currently have. They are looking into new and different avenues for growth in... Read more
14-Oct-2016Source: Lockheed Martin
During the ceremony, Brigadier General Robert L. Marion said, “The UH-60 is often referred to as the workhorse of Army Aviation and as such your efforts here, past, present, and future are critical to the continued defense of our nation. The rollout of the 1000th UH-60M BLACK HAWK marks an important outcome of our Aviation... Read more
14-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Boeing is considering a Block 2 upgrade to the US Army’s CH-47 Chinook, while Honeywell tries to improve the power efficiency of the T55 turboshaft engine by 25% and reduce the fuel consumption by 8%. Honeywell aims to perform a rig test in November this year, reports Flight Global, giving them more information to design... Read more
13-Oct-2016Source: PZL Mielec
Polish domestic aviation leader PZL Mielec, part of Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company, has extended its relationship with Rzeszow University of Technology by working in partnership with the Faculty of Engineering and Aeronautics to develop and launch a postgraduate course in composite design. With the use of composites in aerospace increasing, this new course aligns... Read more
13-Oct-2016Source: Sikorsky
In the light of the Polish Government announcing that they had terminated negotiations with Airbus Helicopters, and their subsequent decision in favour of Sikorsky, they Connecticut based manufacturer make the following announcement “We are very pleased that the Polish Prime Minister Beata Szydło and the Minister of National Defence Mr. Antoni Macierewicz announced that the... Read more
13-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
GKN Aerospace’s firm in Yeovil, Somerset has taken a knock as Leonardo has decided to make production of all aspects of AW159 Wildcat production to an in-house operation. The Unite workers union has stated that the announcement has come as a big shock. The loss of contract has meant that GKN Yeovil will either be... Read more
12-Oct-2016Source: Allan Blake
It must have been with some trepidation that Airbus anticipated attending Helitech this year. For the second time in three years their flagship offshore helicopter, the H225 along with the AS332L2, had been grounded following a tragic accident in Norway on 29th April 2016, leading to an idle fleet of 111 H225s and over $3billion... Read more
12-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Russian Helicopters and SilkWay Helicopter Services (SWHS) signed a letter of intent on September 27 during the International Defence Exhibition ADEX 2016. SWHS, being the largest operating airline in the small aviation field in Azerbaijan, has partnered with Russian Helicopters to create a centre for the maintenance and renovation of helicopters for the Azerbaijan area.... Read more
12-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The Federal Government has backed up their promise and delivered an AgustaWestland 101 and 102, from the Presidential Airforce, to the Nigerian Air Force. Channels TV reports that at the handing over ceremony in Abuja, the Minister of Defence Brigadier General Mansur Dan-Ali whole-heartedly agreed with the decision to support the Nigerian Air Force in... Read more
12-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
A $3.3 million contract has been awarded to Bell Helicopter to further investigations on the Northrop Grumman MQ-8C Fire Scout UAS. The US Naval Air Systems (NAVAIR) has awarded this money in the hopes to research more into the potential of future flight strain, tail boom cracking and fatigue on the craft. HIS Janes has... Read more
12-Oct-2016Source: Heli-One
Heli-One, a leading global provider of helicopter maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) services, has been selected by the Joint Aviation Command (JAC) of the United Arab Emirates (UAE) to provide MRO services for their Arriel 2C and Makila 1A engines flown in the fleet’s Airbus AS365 and AS332 aircraft. Although Heli-One has provided MRO services... Read more
11-Oct-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
In light of recent statements regarding the status of the multirole helicopter tender in Poland, Airbus Helicopters feels the need to refute a number of misleading allegations reported in the media. It is our belief that Polish citizens and the Polish armed forces deserve full transparency on the tender process in which Airbus Helicopters and... Read more
11-Oct-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
When LTC (promotable) David R. Cheney became the U.S. Army’s program manager for the service’s UH-72A Lakota helicopter in July 2012, Airbus had delivered 229 of the H145-based utility helicopters, and the future looked bright. Every aircraft had been delivered on time and on cost since the contract had been awarded in 2006, and the... Read more
11-Oct-2016Source: Canadian Armed Forces
A national search and rescue (SAR) exercise conducted in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, from September 18-24 highlighted the importance of conducting real-world SAR missions and training to ensure crews are ready to respond when Canadians are in distress. The value of the exercise was further underlined when exercise participants unexpectedly provided real-time assistance to a canoeist... Read more
11-Oct-2016Source: Teamsters
50 in Connecticut and Florida today overwhelmingly ratified the company proposal, ensuring that Teamsters will build the CH-53K helicopters. MEMBERS VOTING TO ACCEPT: 2104 MEMBERS VOTING TO REJECT: 140 Below are details of the agreement: COMPANY PROPOSAL TO LOCAL 1150 I. Two Tier Wage Scale – effective 7/1/2017 Introduce a two-tier wage system for all... Read more
11-Oct-2016Source: Universal Avionics
Universal Avionics and Heli-One are announcing cockpit upgrades to be performed on a fleet of Sikorsky S-61A-4 NURI helicopters for an Asian operator, featuring Universal’s EFI-890H Advanced Flight Displays and Multi-Missions Management System (MMMS). Universal Avionics Authorized Dealer, Heli-One, is set to perform the design and installation for the initial aircraft with an Asian Maintenance,... Read more
10-Oct-2016Source: DSCA
The State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Egypt for Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) for AH-64E Apache, UH-60 Blackhawks, and CH-47 Chinook Helicopters and related equipment, training, and support. The estimated cost is $81.4 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this... Read more
10-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Bell’s Fort Worth headquarters, situated on Highway 10, celebrate their 65th anniversary this year. To commemorate this occasion, Fort Worth and its 4 100 employees received a new commercial helicopter, expanded their training centre and purchased a tilt-rotor drone. This make over comes to a cost of $235 million, despite the challenging economic times. Bell... Read more
10-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
A multi-year contract is being negotiated between The Defence Department and Boeing. The contract is for 275 AH-64E Apache helicopters, costing at $3.3 billion. As reported by DoD Buzz, the negotiations began after the Army’s proposed procurement plan was approved by the Office of the Secretary of Defence. The Army hopes to get sign approval... Read more
10-Oct-2016Source: Skycore Aviation
Skycore Aviation, Ltd. and Unical Defense, Inc. announced an agreement to jointly market their combined services for the sale, modification, operations, maintenance, training and parts for UH-60A aircraft to international customers worldwide. In this important collaboration, Unical will provide UH-60A aircraft and parts while Skycore will deliver phase maintenance, mission equipment and navigation/communication modification services,... Read more
10-Oct-2016Source: EDA
Hosted by the National Aviation Authority of Portugal (Autoridade Aeronáutica Nacional, AAN), the Annual Military Airworthiness Conference kicked off in Lisbon this Wednesday with keynote speeches delivered by EDA Chief Executive Jorge Domecq and General Manuel Teixeira Rolo of AAN. The two-day event (5/6 October) brings together key stakeholders from national authorities, industry, European agencies,... Read more
10-Oct-2016Source: DRS Technologies
DRS Technologies Inc., a Leonardo-Finmeccanica Company, announced today it has received an initial production order valued at more than $65 million from the U.S. Army for the Enhanced Night Vision Goggle (ENVG) III program. The award initiates fielding of next-generation technology that provides soldiers with an information hub through the ENVG display. DRS Technologies partnered... Read more
10-Oct-2016Source: Rockwell Collins
The U.S. Army has selected Rockwell Collins to service the MFD-268C4 multi-function display (MFD) units for its UH-60M Black Hawk fleet under a five-year firm-fixed-price, indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity contract. This is a follow-on contract that continues the Army’s relationship with Rockwell Collins for long-term support of the program. “Whether the displays are in need... Read more
10-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The South Korean Army’s supply of Surion helicopters has been suspended. According to the Defense Acquisition Program Administration they failed a critical airworthiness test, to withstand the cold. They plan to redesign the failed systems and redo the test within a year and a half, reports Defense News. The Surion helicopters, codenamed KUH-1, was produced... Read more
7-Oct-2016Source: US Navy
The “Wildcards” of Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron (HSC) 23 made history Sept. 14 when they used a MQ-8B unmanned air system as a laser designator platform for a MH-60S Seahawk helicopter to fire a AGM-114N Hellfire missile. For the mission, the MH-60S launched from Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, while the Northrup Grumman MQ-8B... Read more
7-Oct-2016Source: GE Aviation
GE Aviation successfully began testing the first full engine in the Future Affordable Turbine Engine (FATE) program under a cooperative agreement between GE and the US Army. The engine is designed to meet a series of aggressive goals including a 35% reduction in specific fuel consumption, 80% improvement in power-to-weight, 20% improvement in design life... Read more
7-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Kenya and Uganda will receive 10 Huey II helicopters from Bell Helicopter, who have received a total of $86 million in foreign military sales contracts. An additional 5 Huey IIs will be delivered to another African military but Steve Suttles, Vice President for Bell Helicopter, could not name the customer. Bell Helicopter aims to finish... Read more
7-Oct-2016Source: Reportlinker
Summary Several countries across the world have inventories of obsolete or aging military helicopters that are reaching the end of their operational life; this means that despite budget cuts, the global military rotorcraft market is expected to grow over the forecast period. Countries such as Russia, the US, France, Germany, China, South Korea, and India... Read more
7-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Sikorsky has won a DoD contract of $187 million for 10 “uniquely configured” UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, 4 for Tunisia and 6 for Taiwan. The Taiwan National Airborne Service Corp has signed their contract of $148 725 000 in foreign military sales for their 6 modified Black Hawks. These 6 crafts will be worked on... Read more
6-Oct-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
The Royal Thai Air Force (RTAF) has ordered two additional mission-ready twin-engine EC725 (now marketed as the H225M Caracal) multirole utility helicopters as part of the continuation of its fleet strengthening programme agreement launched in 2012. Delivery of the two additional EC725s is scheduled for 2019. The RTAF’s EC725s are specially equipped with fast roping,... Read more
6-Oct-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
In a ceremony held at the Airbus Helicopters plant in Albacete, the Spanish Air Force yesterday took receipt of its first H215, a robust, cost-effective latest-generation helicopter with an extensive mission capability. The purchase was negotiated in July by the Spanish Ministry of Defense, through the NATO Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA). A member of... Read more
6-Oct-2016Source: Lockheed Martin
The U.S. Army awarded Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT) a $49.3 million contract to upgrade the Modernized Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (M-TADS/PNVS) on the AH-64E Apache helicopter. Under this contract, Lockheed Martin will produce an additional 42 Modernized Day Sensor Assembly (M-DSA) upgrade kits and spares for the U.S. Army as part of Lot... Read more
5-Oct-2016Source: AHS
Jim Kagdis, 59, passed away on Sept. 15, 2016, after a 20-year battle against pheochromocytoma (PCC), a rare tumor of the adrenal glands. Raised in Edison, New Jersey, James Ayoub Kagdis graduated from St. Pius X High School and earned his BA in History from Wagner College on Staten Island, New York; he was a... Read more
5-Oct-2016Source: Russian Helicopters
Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation Rostec, has announced its CEO Alexander Mikheev’s contract extension until 2021. The decision was made on September 27, 2016 at the extraordinary general meeting of shareholders of Russian Helicopters. “During the three years under Alexander Mikheev’s guidance, Russian Helicopters has shown constant growth of all key financial indicators. In 2015,... Read more
5-Oct-2016Source: CPI Aero
CPI Aerostructures, Inc. (“CPI Aero®”) (NYSE MKT: CVU) today announced that Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin Company (NYSE: LMT), has awarded CPI Aero purchase orders valued at approximately $5 million to manufacture the weapon pylon for the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone, a twin-engine, multi-role shipboard helicopter being manufactured by Sikorsky for the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF).... Read more
5-Oct-2016Source: Pratt & Whitney
The U.S. Department of the Army has awarded a contract to the Advanced Turbine Engine Company (ATEC) – a joint venture of Honeywell and Pratt & Whitney – for the development and demonstration of advanced engine capabilities that could be applicable to a new fleet of future vertical lift combat helicopters. The contract, part of... Read more
4-Oct-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The Swiss Air Force had to ground its fleet of Airbus Super Pumas during investigation after a military helicopter crashed into the Alps, killing two pilots. As reported by Reuters, they are now resuming flights. The investigation showed that there was no evidence of a systematic fault. Reports have been made that the craft touched... Read more
3-Oct-2016Source: Northrop Grumman
Northrop Grumman Corporation (NYSE:NOC) is set to build 10 additional MQ-8C Fire Scout unmanned helicopters for the U. S. Navy, giving maritime commanders persistent, real-time intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR). The additional build will bring the total number of MQ-8C Fire Scout air vehicles procured to 29, extending the range and endurance of naval operations.... Read more
3-Oct-2016Source: Airbus Helicopters
The Mexican Navy yesterday took delivery of the first of the ten AS565 MBe Panther helicopters it purchased in 2014, becoming the first customer in the world to receive the new version of this multi-role, medium-class military rotorcraft. The Navy will receive three other units before the end of the year and the remaining six... Read more
3-Oct-2016Source: Pall Aerospace
Pall Aerospace today announced that the United States Defense Logistics Agency (DLA) has awarded a five-year indefinite delivery, indefinite quantity (IDIQ) contract to Pall Aerospace to supply 4,000 PUREair Dry Barrier Filters for the UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter. Pall was awarded the previous IDIQ contract for 950 filters in 2014 which have all since been... Read more
3-Oct-2016Source: CHC
CHC Helicopter is proud to announce that it has signed a 21-month contract with Australian Army to provide aeromedical evacuation (AME) and crash response support for deployments throughout Australia. The contract will commence on 1 October 2016 and run through to 30 June 2018. CHC currently provides search and rescue services to the Royal Australian... Read more
3-Oct-2016Source: Bell Helicopter
Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, announced its show plans for the 2016 Association of the United States Army (AUSA) Annual Meeting & Exposition in Washington D.C., October 3-5. The company will display its newest tiltrotor innovations, the V-280 “Valor” mock-up and the recently unveiled V-247 “Vigilant” unmanned aerial system model. An immersive... Read more
2-Oct-2016Source: Safran Helicopter Engines
Safran Helicopter Engines has signed a Memorandum of Understanding with Urban Aeronautics to study new market opportunities and address power system solutions to support the development of an entirely new platform family of internal rotor aircraft. The Cormorant (formerly AirMule) UAV demonstrator is already flying powered by an Arriel 1D driving two ducted-fans. Under the... Read more
30-Sep-2016Source: Schiebel
The cooperation between Schiebel, manufacturer of the world’s most capable VTOL UAS, the CAMCOPTER® S-100, and the German company Diehl Defence has been strengthened recently. “Celebrating a milestone like the 10th anniversary of the CAMCOPTER® S-100 with more than 300 units sold is a good moment to reflect on where we are today and where... Read more
30-Sep-2016Source: Patria Helicopters
Patria Helicopters will attend Helitech International 11-13th October in Amsterdam. The event is the largest helicopter exhibition in Europe dedicated to helicopter products, parts, accessories and services. The show brings together leading manufacturers, suppliers, operators, buyers and engineers in the industry. Patria Helicopters will showcase at the event its services – Sales, Engineering, Production and... Read more
30-Sep-2016Source: Kaman
It is with deep sadness that I inform you of the passing over the weekend of my predecessor as CEO, Paul Kuhn. Paul, who joined Kaman in 1999, served as Chairman, President and CEO, retiring in February 2008. He had the unenviable task of succeeding Mr. Kaman after his fifty-five years as CEO. Paul led... Read more
30-Sep-2016Source: Bristow Group
Seventy years ago, on September 24, 1946, pioneering helicopter pilot, Lieutenant Alan Bristow Royal Navy, became the first Briton to land a helicopter on the deck of a naval frigate at sea. Few would have seen in the flimsy Sikorsky Hoverfly KK969 of those pioneering days the forerunner of the sophisticated naval helicopters of today,... Read more
30-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The Botswana Defence Force Air Wing has recently bought a second hand Airbus Helicopters EC25LP Super Puma Mk. It was originally used by the Spanish Police in 2010 for the National Police Corps Special Operations Group and returned to Airbus Helicopters in 2013 as part payment for their new EC135s. It was in storage up... Read more
30-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Nigeria will receive 12 Mi-35M helicopters from Russia by 2018 as part of their plan to modernize their defence forces. As reported by Sputnik, the contract for the delivery of the Mi-35Ms was signed in 2015. Anatoly Punchuk has reported that Nigeria was a promising partner to Russia in the military cooperation field. The new... Read more
29-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
CHC Helicopter has signed a contract with the Australian Army to provide them with aeromedical evacuations, crash response support and search and rescue for 21 months. The CHC will use their fleet of Sikorsky S-76s and Bell 412s, reports Australian Aviation. CHC Regional Director Asia Pacific Nick Mair reports that they have been working with... Read more
26-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstration (JMR-TD) will see its first planned flight in 2017 as the two rotorcraft that are currently being built by Sikorsky and Boeing and Bell Helicopters, are well on track. The JMR-TD is an Army project that aims to create advanced vertical-flight designs. Such designs could help replace the Army’s Sikorsky... Read more
26-Sep-2016Source: Australian Navy
HMAS Perth and its embarked MH-60R helicopter supported a search and rescue off the coast of Seychelles on 14 August. Two survivors were located by Perth’s MH-60R helicopter, call sign ‘Hellcat’, and were recovered by a civilian yacht. The support provided to the rescue mission marked the first occasion that an Australian Navy MH-60R whilst on an operational deployment has been used in such... Read more
26-Sep-2016Source: Australian Navy
It was up, up and away for the EC-135T2 helicopter, the latest aircraft to be acquired by the Royal Australian Navy and Australian Army as part of the new Helicopter Aircrew Training System (HATS). The first aircraft lifted off from HMAS Albatross yesterday with the first tranche of Flying Instructors from the Royal Australian Navy, Australian Army... Read more
26-Sep-2016Source: AHMEC
AHMEC’s history dates to 1993 when “spurred by the Philadelphia chapter of the American Helicopter Society, a number of rotary wing aviation pioneers and industry leaders discussed how to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the American Helicopter Society and recognize the Delaware Valley as the cradle of rotary wing aviation in the United States,” explained... Read more
26-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
A Memorandum of Agree has been signed between Boeing and Korean Air. They have agreed to work in partner to develop an unmanned attack platform from MD Helicopters MD500. Boeing has reported that they will provide technical support and together they will market it to the export market. The project is based off of Korean... Read more
26-Sep-2016Source: Bristow
Bristow Defence Industries (BDI) kicked off its annual support of the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s Exercise Wallaby. The event, which runs September 11 – November 8, 2016, is an annual military exercise conducted in the military training area at Shoalwater Bay in Central Queensland, Australia. The exercise varies in size but can involve land,... Read more
26-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
South Korea has to redesign parts of its Surion Helicopter, reports Yonhap News Agency. The Surion did not pass the months-long test as it did not operate sufficiently under extreme and challenging climates. Different parts of the Surion didn’t meet the international standard. The failed parts are now being remade and put under the test... Read more
23-Sep-2016Source: Bell
The Bell V-247 tiltrotor is an unmanned aerial system (UAS) that will combine the vertical lift capability of a helicopter with the speed and range of a conventional fixed-wing aircraft. The revolutionary UAS is designed to provide unmatched long-endurance persistent expeditionary and surveillance capability and lethal reach, as well as runway independence to operate successfully... Read more
23-Sep-2016Source: HAL
Achieving yet another significant milestone, HAL conducted a technical flight of indigenous Light Utility Helicopter (LUH) in Bengaluru, today. The helicopter lifted at 1210 hours and was in the air for 15 minutes at HAL facilities. The flawless flight was carried out by HAL test pilots. This event marks an important and significant beginning for... Read more
23-Sep-2016Source: Safran
The first flight of Safran’s Ardiden 1U engine, powering the Indian LUH (Light Utility Helicopter), took place on 6 September in Bangalore. LUH is a new three-ton, single-engine, multipurpose rotorcraft designed by Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd. (HAL). The Ardiden 1U met all the performance targets set for this maiden flight. “This flight marks a major milestone... Read more
23-Sep-2016Source: MD Helicopters
MD Helicopters, Inc. (MDHI) announces the delivery of three (3) additional MD 530F Cayuse Warrior light scout attack helicopters to Hamid Karzai International Airport. With this delivery MD Helicopters has fulfilled – in less than 10 months – all requirements of an October 2015 contract awarded by the U.S. Department of the Army Non-Standard Rotary... Read more
22-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Sikorsky Aircraft has recently signed a deal to remain based in Connecticut for 16 years. Under the agreement Sikorsky has to provide 8000 employment opportunities, relocate 200 CH-53K King Stallions to Connecticut and double their spending costs of $350 million with state suppliers. This agreement will benefit Sikorsky as they will be qualified for $8.57... Read more
22-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
America’s OH-58D Kiowa Scout helicopters of the 82nd Airborne Division are in for their final deployment to South Korea. When they arrive home, they will be replaced with AH-64 Apaches which are better suited for complex battlegrounds. The Kiowas will be available to the National Guard, be put on the market for foreign sales and... Read more
22-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Taiwan has turned down the offer from the US to sell 8 – 10 Sikorsky MH-60R helicopters. Although the Republic of China Navy (ROCN) needs to replace their MD500 anti-submarine helicopters, Shephard Media reports that the defence industry does not have enough funds to replace the aging crafts. Taiwan still retains 21 S-70C Thunderhawks they... Read more
22-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
Textool, a Houston-based main rotor shaft supplier has sued Bell Helicopters for over $1 million. Textool asks for a jury trial to settle the dispute of failed payments between them. Textool commented saying that Bell Helicopter provided them with raw material that did not meet safety requirements. Textool were told by Bell to use the... Read more
22-Sep-2016Source: NZDF
One of the Royal New Zealand Air Force’s (RNZAF) newly acquired fleet of Seasprite helicopters will help transport 23 government staff and about seven tonnes of vital equipment and supplies to the remote Kermadec Islands on its first operational mission with an offshore patrol vessel (OPV). An SH-2G (I) Seasprite, one of eight that are... Read more
22-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The Royal Thai Navy’s U-Tapao air base recently received its order of 5 H145M light utility helicopters. The aim is to eventually replace their ageing Bell 212 helicopters which have been in serve for 38 years. The 5 H145Ms will be used in the 202nd Squadron, Wing 2 of the Royal Thai Navy’s Air Division,... Read more
21-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
At the biennial African Aerospace and Defence show in Waterkloof, Airbus Helicopters and Denel Aviation announced their partnership in the plan to upgrade and modernise the Rooivalk attack helicopter. They signed a Memorandum of Understanding, reports IT Web, which outlines the steps in the enhancement programme. Such steps include advancing the supportability of the fleet,... Read more
21-Sep-2016Source: HeliHub.com
The South African air force is giving their 39 Oryx helicopters a full upgrade. The upgrade, which will be a multi-million Rand project, includes avionic and engine upgrades with a general renovation of all systems. The Oryx helicopters have been in use for the past 15 years. These helicopters are much needed as they are... Read more
21-Sep-2016Source: Bird Control Group
Effective bird control is essential to ensure aviation safety. New awareness for the risk of bird strikes in aviation is being raised by the release of motion picture “Sully: The Untold Story of the Miracle on the Hudson”. Wildlife strikes are relatively infrequent, only 3 percent of the strikes results in aircraft damage and less... Read more
