8-Jun-2010Source: Boeing
Boeing announced today that it will secure a license from AgustaWestland for U.S. production of the AW101 medium-lift helicopter as an entry into the U.S. Navy VXX Presidential Helicopter Program. This license will give Boeing full intellectual property, data and production rights for the aircraft in support of the VXX program. Because of this arrangement,... Read more
6-Jun-2010Source: HeliHub.com
Nigeria’s president Goodluck Jonathan used the recent Air Expo 2010 at the Air Force’s base at Kaduna to announce the arrival of three new aircraft types to their order of battle. Alongside the Chinese built Chenghu FT-7NI supersonic all-weather fighter, and ATR42-500MP Surveyor maritime patrol aircraft from France, was the AgustaWestland AW109 LUH light utility/attack... Read more
4-Jun-2010Source: Eurocopter
Eurocopter will be presenting an NH90 in the Forward Air MedEvac (Medical Evacuation) configuration for the first time at ILA 2010 in Berlin. Designed to meet the future needs of the German Armed Forces, this configuration of the world’s most advanced multirole military helicopter is the company’s response to an initiative by the German Federal... Read more
3-Jun-2010Source: Burlington Free Press
The U.S. Army has signed a $54.7 million deal with Goodrich Corp. to install the company’s helicopter diagnostic system in Army Black Hawks... Read more
3-Jun-2010Source: Wyle
Wyle has a played a significant role in assessing noise impacts for the West Coast basing of the military’s new fleet of MV-22 Osprey tilt rotor aircraft. Wyle supported Science Applications International Corporation (SAIC) of Carpinteria, Calif. as a subcontractor on the project, helping develop the MV-22 West-Coast Basing Environmental Impact Statement, which evaluated the... Read more
3-Jun-2010Source: FlightGlobal
Now equipped with seven aircraft from its eventual fleet of 20 TTH-configured NH90s, the Finnish army’s Utti Helicopter Battalion has been flying the type since May 2008 from Utti air base near Kouvola... Read more
3-Jun-2010Source: HeliHub.com
A Dutch Bell 412 rescue helicopter was targeted on Tuesday evening by a laser pen. This follows a smiilar incident a week earlier. The Royal Military Police is investigating into both incidents. The crew of the Search and Rescue helicopter conducted a training flight over Leeuwarden when the helicopter shone a laser pen.... Read more
3-Jun-2010Source: Boeing
The Boeing Company [NYSE: BA] and Canadian industry partners today announced the launch of a new research and development consortium aimed at strengthening Canada’s competitive position in the manufacturing of advanced composite materials for aerospace and other industries. The Canadian Composites Manufacturing Research and Development consortium (CCMRD) brings together major aerospace companies and small- to... Read more
3-Jun-2010Source: Royal Navy
212 Flight from 815 Naval Air Squadron, based at RNAS Yeovilton, is normally associated with the Ice Patrol Ship HMS Endurance, but for the last two months the crew and two Mark 3 Lynx Maritime Attack helicopters have been embarked in HMS Ark Royal, conducting the Helicopter Delivery Service (HDS) in addition to planned attack... Read more
3-Jun-2010Source: NH Industries
NHIndustries is pleased to announce the delivery occurred on May 5th of the first NH90 NFH helicopter to the French Navy. The French Forces have up to now ordered 27 NH90 NFH as well as 34 TTH to be followed by a subsequent optional batch of 34 TTH aircraft; this event marks the first delivery... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: Ducommun
Ducommun Incorporated announced that its Ducommun AeroStructures (DAS) subsidiary has won a contract to furnish TigHitco Inc. with 360 Upturned Exhaust System (UES) sub-assemblies and components for Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.’s H-60M BLACK HAWK helicopter program. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (UTX 66.95, +0.90, +1.36%) . The UES Program is a result of... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: Kongsberg
Kongsberg Maritime has successfully delivered the first state-of-the-art Joint High Speed Vessel (JHSV) Helicopter Operations Surveillance System (HOSS) to General Dynamics Advanced Information Systems. Camera hardware and logistical support have been provided to successfully complete the first-in-class system, following the contract award in November 2009. The JHSV will be capable of transporting troops and their... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: Calcutta News
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp is likely to tie up with more Indian companies in the next few months to produce components locally, a company official said Wednesday... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced that the U.S. State Department has accepted the first two modernized S-61TM aircraft that will support missions for the U.S. Embassy in Afghanistan. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The U.S. State Department has entered into a... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: Defensa
Changes may cancel project entirely, but likely to go ahead and tenders open to more bidders including organisations in Belarus and Ukraine.... Read more
2-Jun-2010
Several helicopters, including one Super Puma, were used for the transfer of civilian staff at the wedding of an Air Force official over the weekend of May 22/23... Read more
2-Jun-2010Source: EADS
EADS resulted from a merger, in July 2000, between the French Aerospatiale-Matra, the German DaimlerChrysler Aerospace (DASA) and the Spanish CASA companies. In just 10 years, it has become a European and indeed global leader in the aeronautics, space, defence and associated services sector. Since 2000, EADS has enjoyed spectacular growth: in 10 years, revenues... Read more
1-Jun-2010
The first S-70i™ BLACK HAWK helicopter, built at Sikorsky Aircraft Corp.’s company in Poland, PZL Mielec, has entered the flight test program at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Center (DFC) in Florida. The S-70i helicopter is an international variant of the BLACK HAWK helicopter. Sikorsky Aircraft is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX). The aircraft arrived... Read more
1-Jun-2010
Since its formation in 1960, the School has achieved 423,884 flying hours and trained 4,330 pilots – not only for the Italian Air Force, but also for their Navy, Army, Carabinieri, Finance, Police, State Forestry and Fire Departments.... Read more
1-Jun-2010Source: EDA
As part of the European Defence Agency’s Helicopter Training Programme (HTP), Spain will host a Multinational Helicopter Exercise in June 2010. The Exercise is the largest of its kind so far, with more than 32 helicopters and 500 people attending from 9 nations and yet takes place less than a year after the Ministerial endorsement... Read more
1-Jun-2010Source: Reuters
Apparently linked to Australia’s NH90 decision, and only days after Germany suspended acquisition of Tiger gunships.... Read more
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
