1-Dec-2009Source: Telegraph
t is hoped to build up the Chinook fleet from the current 38 to about 70 allowing the possibility of almost doubling the numbers of aircraft currently in Afghanistan to 20.... Read more
1-Dec-2009Source: FlightGlobal
Lightning strike tests at Eurocopter’s Donauwörth facility have verified finite element analysis accuracy for carbonfibre structure current flow simulation, according to a European research consortium... Read more
1-Dec-2009Source: http://www.defenselink.mil/news/newsarticle.aspx?id=56865
Global positioning system technology is being applied to older rotary-wing aircraft to help save lives, a senior helicopter pilot based at Andrews Air Force Base, Md., said... Read more
1-Dec-2009Source: Canada.com
The head of the inquiry investigating last spring’s helicopter crash that killed 17 offshore oil workers and aircrew off the Newfoundland coast announced Wednesday he has asked the Defence Department to send a witness to explain the federal role in SAR... Read more
1-Dec-2009Source: Emportal
A source in the Defence Ministry has told Vijesti that in the forthcoming period this ministry is planning to overhaul and modernize 11 Gazelle type helicopters.... Read more
30-Nov-2009Source: Australian Dept of Defence
Greg Combet, Minister for Defence Personnel, Materiel and Science, today welcomed to the national capital a MRH90 helicopter. The MRH helicopter is replacing the Army’s Black Hawk and the Navy’s Sea King helicopters.... Read more
30-Nov-2009Source: AgustaWestland
The Qatar Armed Forces has taken delivery of its first AW139 medium twin helicopter during an official ceremony held at AgustaWestland’s Vergiate plant in Italy.... Read more
23-Nov-2009Source: Times
The RAF is to fly its first all-woman combat helicopter crew into action in southern Afghanistan. The four women are expected to fly a number of missions taking troops and supplies to the frontline against the Taliban in Helmand. They will also airlift casualties to the hospital at Camp Bastion.... Read more
23-Nov-2009Source: Asahi
The Maritime Self-Defense Force plans to build a helicopter destroyer–the largest ship in the fleet–to counter China’s naval buildup and improve responses for contingencies. The planned helicopter destroyer will have a length of 248 meters, a displacement of 19,500 tons and a capability to transport up to 14 helicopters, 4,000 people and 50 trucks.... Read more
21-Nov-2009Source: DSCA
The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of up to 15 AgustaWestland AW109s, or alternatively, 15 Bell Model 429s, or 15 EADS UH-72A Lakotas; and, up to 12 AgustaWestland AW139s, or alternatively, 12 Bell 4122, or 12 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks... Read more
20-Nov-2009Source: Chosun
This would be the first time a Korean military helicopter unit has been sent overseas since the Vietnam War.... Read more
20-Nov-2009Source: European Defence Agency
EU Defence Ministers launched a European Helicopter Training Programme to increase in the short-term the availability of helicopters for crisis management operations. The Programme will start in 2010.... Read more
20-Nov-2009Source: Royal Navy
Colonel John McCardle Royal Marines was appointed an OBE by Her Majesty The Queen at an investiture at Buckingham Palace last week.... Read more
20-Nov-2009Source: Turk Net
The Turkish prime minister said on Wednesday that the mass production of ATAK helicopters in Turkey would begin in 2013.... Read more
20-Nov-2009Source: Navair
NAVAIR delivered four new Mi-17 helicopters to the Afghan National Army Air Corps (ANAAC) in Kabul, Afghanistan just sixty-five days after the order was placed.... Read more
20-Nov-2009Source: Star Telegram
A Bell Helicopter subsidiary is suing the Defense Department to block the release of government documents to a former executive who was fired last year.... Read more
19-Nov-2009Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is please to announce that AgustaWestland North America (AWNA) was recently awarded a $17.35 million U.S. Navy contract to provide depot level maintenance on three Egyptian Mk-2 variant H-3 helicopters.... Read more
17-Nov-2009Source: UK MoD
The Merlin will perform a wide range of military tasks, making it a valuable asset for British forces. The helicopter was stripped down and transported by a C-17 aircraft from RAF Brize Norton and has arrived at Camp Bastion for re-assembly and extensive pre-flight checks before it takes to the Afghan skies.... Read more
16-Nov-2009Source: Thales
Thales has been awarded a contract to equip French Army helicopter pilots with HELIE night vision goggles. The contract relates to the supply of about 1 500 pairs of night vision goggles in several batches. The first production units will be delivered during 2011, followed by deliveries spread over the next five years.... Read more
16-Nov-2009Source: Flight Global
The Israeli air force has abandoned its evaluation of the Bell Boeing V-22 Osprey and is instead showing interest in the capabilities of Sikorsky’s developmental CH-53K.... Read more
16-Nov-2009Source: EADS North America
EADS North America has delivered the first of five H-72A training helicopters for the U.S. Navy today, marking a new milestone in the company’s production of multi-role helicopters for U.S. military services.... Read more
16-Nov-2009Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland is pleased to announce that the first AW159 multi-role military helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight at AgustaWestland’s Yeovil facility with Chief Test Pilot Donald Maclaine at the controls... Read more
12-Nov-2009Source: Stamford Plus
The region’s most prestigious business community leadership award will be presented by The Business Council of Fairfield County to Jeffrey P. Pino, President, Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation on Tuesday, November 17, 2009... Read more
12-Nov-2009Source: Vertical
Eurocopter will participate at the 2009 Dubai Airshow with two of its state-of the-art helicopters – a Tiger will be performing daily flight presentations and a full scale mock-up of the EC175 in offshore configuration will be displayed on the EADS stand... Read more
12-Nov-2009Source: Dutch military
The first Alouette III helicopters built 45 years ago recently made a historic flight back to the French factory... Read more
6-Nov-2009Source: UAW Local 1069
Dear Brothers and Sisters, The Company has notified the Union that your newly negotiated bonus checks in the amount of $3500.00 will be included in your November 5th, 2009 paycheck.... Read more
6-Nov-2009Source: Rotorhub
The first Merlin helicopter crews are ready to deploy to Afghanistan following pre-deployment training in the United States.... Read more
5-Nov-2009Source: Daily Post
Life-saving search and rescue helicopter crews from RAF Valley will halt night time rescues while new crews are trained up. The Ministry of Defence has announced a six week suspension to night shifts by 22 Squadron, with cover provided by neighbouring bases RAF Valley will close overnight from 15 November until 31 December.... Read more
5-Nov-2009Source: US Marine Corps
After more than 30 years of faithful service, the old is replaced by the new, with the entrance of the new Huey, the UH-1Y ‘Venom’.... Read more
4-Nov-2009Source: Times Now
Plans to replace the ageing Cheetah and Chetak chopper fleet of the Army and Air Force are set to get delayed, thanks to indecision of the Defence Ministry over conducting of the field trials.... Read more
4-Nov-2009Source: Tactical Report
The Kuwaiti Defence Ministry is said to be showing interest in the Kamov KA-28 anti-submarine helicopter.... Read more
4-Nov-2009Source: Northampton Chronicle
A helicopter firm based in Northamptonshire has had a contract turned down to provide the Ministry of Defence with 25 crucial vehicles to send to Afghanistan.... Read more
2-Nov-2009Source: Boeing
Boeing and Bell have received a contract from the U.S. Navy to upgrade the CV-22 Cabin Part Task Trainer with modifications including an Aircrew Flight Simulation that deploys a fused reality system that fuses video images with virtual reality. The upgrade will be delivered to Air Force Special Operations Command, 58th Training Squadron at Kirtland... Read more
1-Nov-2009Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced it has delivered the first aircraft with a cabin produced at PZL Mielec, a Sikorsky company in Poland. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp.... Read more
29-Oct-2009Source: This is the West Country
YEOVIL company AgustaWestland has announced that seven local schools have now received around 200 computer desks from the firm.... Read more
29-Oct-2009Source: US Army
Laser technology is taking Chief Warrant Officer Cary Nadeau to Iraq for his fourth deployment in support of overseas contingency operations. It’s a deployment that will give Nadeau the opportunity to show the Army’s Chinook pilots the benefits of new technology tested by the Redstone Test Center.... Read more
29-Oct-2009Source: eGov Monitor
The European Commission has concluded that Italian measures in favour of two R&D projects concerning helicopters are of a military nature and therefore fall within the scope of Article 296 of the EC Treaty (that allows Member States to take measures necessary for the protection of their essential security interests).... Read more
29-Oct-2009Source: Defense Aerospace
Forecast International’s new “The Market for Light Military Rotorcraft†study projects a total of 2,026 rotorcraft in this market segment will be produced during the 2009-2018 time period. The value of this production is estimated at $20.8 billion in constant 2009 U.S. dollars.... Read more
28-Oct-2009Source: RotorNews
The MX-15 EO/IR imaging turrets will be delivered to Boeing between the years 2011-2014, and will be installed on the Canadian Forces’ newly acquired Chinook Helicopters.... Read more
28-Oct-2009Source: Budapest Business Journal
... Read more
27-Oct-2009Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland announces that the Korea Coast Guard has taken delivery of two AW139 helicopters during an official ceremony held at Vergiate plant (Italy). The AW139s will be used for maritime patrol, search and rescue and emergency medical service purposes... Read more
27-Oct-2009Source: Domain-B
Sources indicate that the Eurocopter’s product, the Tigre ARH, may not be ready in time to participate in field trials next year as it is undergoing an upgrade... Read more
27-Oct-2009Source: Tripoli Post
Libya plans to purchase over 20 warplanes from Russia. Moscow and Tripoli are currently in talks about the package of contracts, Interfax reports.... Read more
27-Oct-2009Source: ISRIA
The Declaration of Intent was signed by the Czech Republic, Albania, Hungary, Norway, Poland, Slovakia, Spain, Turkey and the UK. This will provide the necessary political mandate to start mitigating critical utility helicopter shortfalls, particularly in the conduct of ISAF operations in Afghanistan.... Read more
27-Oct-2009Source: Triumph Group
The scope of the agreements includes the development of the Blade Fold System, the Blade Damper and the Rotor Brake Module. The development contract is expected to be completed in 2012 and will initially involve several Triumph Group companies... Read more
26-Oct-2009Source: Boeing
“Boeing believes the Apache and Chinook helicopters are the most capable and cost-effective rotorcraft to meet India’s defense and transport requirements,” said Vivek Lall, vice president and India country head for Boeing Integrated Defense Systems.... Read more
26-Oct-2009Source: Boeing
Boeing delivered two new Apache Longbow Crew Trainers (LCT) to the U.S. Army at Fort Hood, Texas, and the Army declared the helicopter simulators “ready for training” on Sept. 4. These LCTs reflect the Apache Extended Block II configuration, ensuring concurrency with the latest AH-64D Apache Longbow helicopter capabilities.... Read more
26-Oct-2009Source: DSCA
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Morocco of three CH-47D CHINOOK Helicopters and associated parts, equipment and logistical support for an estimated cost of $134 million... Read more
26-Oct-2009Source: Boeing
Boeing has successfully completed its industrial cooperation program for the AH-64D Apache Armed Helicopter Program for the Netherlands Ministry of Economic Affairs. This achievement, reached one year ahead of schedule and exceeding the reinvestment obligation, demonstrates the company’s continued success in meeting its industrial cooperation commitments.... Read more
26-Oct-2009Source: Airlinair
Hervé Morin, Minister of Defense announces the implementation, October 16, 2009, the first batch of 3 NHE EC120 helicopters in favor of the School of Application of light aviation of the army’s Land Dax (EAALAT).The instructors have made their first flights on the same day.... Read more
26-Oct-2009Source: Zaman
Until the attack helicopters that Turkey will produce in cooperation with Italian Agusta Westland over the next five years begin to enter service, the Cobras are planned to be used as an interim measure.... Read more
25-Oct-2009Source: UPI
Australian military chiefs are pressing for the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk helicopter over its European rival, the NH90 built by EADS, according to a classified document. Their decisions are outlined in a classified submission to Defense Minister John Faulkner and Minister for Defense Personnel, Materiel and Science Minister Greg Combet... Read more
22-Oct-2009Source: Royal Navy
Royal Navy and Royal Marine Lynx helicopter crews from 847 Naval Air Squadron were recently honoured for maintaining the highest level of operational efficiency in Afghanistan. During a parade at Royal Naval Air Station Yeovilton, friends and family of personnel from 847 Naval Air Squadron watched as they received their standard Afghanistan operational medals.... Read more
16-Oct-2009Source: Cannon Connections
Big D Construction of Salt Lake City was awarded in late September a contract for the building of a 38,300 square foot, single story, single bay maintenance hangar at Cannon Air Force Base. Bids from 15 companies were received for the project but Big D’s winning proposal was at $10.8 million.... Read more
16-Oct-2009Source: Defense Aerospace
The Netherlands hired an MI-26 Halo helicopter in Afghanistan today to recover a CH-47 Chinook transport helicopter.... Read more
16-Oct-2009Source: Canadian Helicopters
Canadian Helicopters has been selected as the “successful offeror” with regard to the Rotary Wing Bulk Fuel and Supplemental Rotary Wing contracts, subject to customary U.S. government approval of operational funding for each fiscal year and conclusion of definitive contracts.... Read more
15-Oct-2009Source: Reuters
The Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC), a 50:50 joint venture between Honeywell and Rolls-Royce, has signed a ten-year agreement with Aerospace Products International, Inc. (API), naming API as the exclusive distributor of CTS800 spare parts globally. The Light Helicopter Turbine Engine Company (LHTEC), a 50:50 joint venture between Honeywell and Rolls-Royce, has signed a... Read more
15-Oct-2009Source: Boeing
The Boeing A160T Hummingbird unmanned helicopter successfully completed 20 test flights from Aug. 31 to Oct. 8 with the Foliage Penetration Reconnaissance, Surveillance, Tracking and Engagement Radar (FORESTER). The tests, conducted at Fort Stewart, Ga., validated the radar-carrying A160T’s flight characteristics with more than 50 hours of flying time.... Read more
15-Oct-2009Source: Bernama
Eurocopter Malaysia will aggressively expand its operations and inject additional investments into its aircraft maintenance, repair and overhaul facilities, president Pierre Nardelli said Wednesday. He said that so far, the company had invested more than RM40 million for its facilities in Malaysia.... Read more
14-Oct-2009Source: Connect Amarillo
Bell Helicopter is celebrating the groundbreaking for their new H-1 Flight Hanger right now. The ceremony is taking place at the company’s Amarillo plant near Rick Husband International Airport.... Read more
14-Oct-2009Source: Unison
It was installed at Boeing Integrated Defense Systems’ rotorcraft manufacturing facility in Ridley Park on the outskirts of Philadelphia, to be used to fabricate hydraulic and fuel line components for CH/MH-47 Chinook helicopters, as well as for the V-22 Osprey tiltrotor aircraft.... Read more
13-Oct-2009Source: US Navy
Just hours after USS Denver (LPD9) and USS McCampbell (DDG 85) arrived offshore here, helicopters from both ships started flying urgently needed emergency supplies to remote areas of Western Sumatra Oct. 9.... Read more
13-Oct-2009Source: Yeovil Express
The museum preserves its reserve collection at Cobham Hall – which is situated across the road from the museum at RNAS Yeovilton. The reserve collection includes over thirty historic aircraft, including one of the largest collections of Westland Helicopters, the first swept wing aircraft to land on a carrier, the Gazelle helicopter on which HRH... Read more
13-Oct-2009Source: Reuters
Eurocopter will present a cost-cutting plan in coming days and may scale back production in 2010 and 2011... Read more
11-Oct-2009Source: Rotorhub
Two Boeing programs, the Wideband Networking Waveform (WNW) and the AH-64 Apache, participated in a successful integrated capabilities event this summer at the U.S. Army’s C4ISR On-The-Move (OTM) Event 09 at Fort Dix, N.J.... Read more
11-Oct-2009Source: Rotorhub
The Pumas of 752 Squadron, Portuguese Air Force have celebrated 40 years of service and 70,000 flight hours.... Read more
11-Oct-2009Source: Rotorhub
The new Reconfigurable Transportable Consolidated Automated Support System (RTCASS) is arriving at Marine Corps air stations around the world.... Read more
11-Oct-2009Source: Wall St Journal
European Aeronautic Defence & Space Co NV’s (EAD.FR) chief executive has appealed to French parliamentarians for funding from a planned state loan to finance research and development into future generations of helicopters, it was revealed Friday.... Read more
11-Oct-2009Source: Jerusalem Post
Developed by Steadicopter, the Black Eagle 50 mini rotary UAV is just over two meters long and can carry a minimal payload of 3 kg. The unmanned helicopter can stay in the air for up to three hours and reach altitudes of 9,000 feet. It can transmit footage back to a command center from distances... Read more
11-Oct-2009Source: Bolivian News Agency
President Evo Morales on Saturday welcomed the decision by his Brazilian counterpart, Luiz Inácio Lula da Silva, who asked the U.S. Congress to approve a donation of four helicopters to the fight against drugs in Bolivia.... Read more
11-Oct-2009Source: Russian Helicopters
Kumertau Aviation Production Enterprise, JSC, part of the industrial holding managed by Russian Helicopters, has produced the first shipment of the anti-submarine Ka-28 for The Republic of China Navy. The helicopters were ordered by Rosoboronexport. The first three of nine helicopters are completing tests.... Read more
9-Oct-2009Source: LaBarge
LaBarge, Inc. has been awarded a $1.8 million contract from Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. to continue to produce electronic assemblies for various models of UH-60 BLACK HAWK helicopters. LaBarge has supported the BLACK HAWK helicopter program since 2005.... Read more
9-Oct-2009Source: USCG
On October 1, 2009, the U.S. Coast Guard Acquisition Directorate’s HH-60 Conversion Project held a ribbon cutting ceremony at Coast Guard Air Station Elizabeth City, N.C., in honor of the Medium Range Recovery Helicopter achieving Initial Operational Capability (IOC).... Read more
