29-Jan-2014Source: Forbes
The aerospace sector has been awash in rumours over the last week that United Technologies would sell or spin off its Sikorsky helicopter unit See full story... Read more
29-Jan-2014Source: Phoenix Logistics
Phoenix Logistics, Inc., a leading provider of engineering and manufacturing solutions for the defense and aerospace market, today announced that Chris Collins has joined the company in a newly created role to lead programs and product development. Before joining Phoenix Logistics, Collins was most recently the senior procurement manager on the Apache AH-64D program at... Read more
29-Jan-2014
Helicopter calling emergency with one engine shut down and 2 POB. Cambria County Airport area. Safe night landing... Read more
29-Jan-2014
Military helicopter (apparently carrying oil workers) crashed (5 injured)... Read more
28-Jan-2014Source: Kratos
Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. (Nasdaq:KTOS), a leading National Security Solutions provider, announced today that it has received a single contract award valued at over $35 million to deliver four MH-60R Naval Aircrew Training Systems (NATS) and four MH-60S Aircrew Virtual Environment Trainer (AVET) devices for NAVAIR. The period of performance under this new contract award is... Read more
28-Jan-2014Source: Airbus Helicopters
Eurocopter closed out a 20-year history of rotorcraft leadership with increased deliveries of 497 helicopters in 2013. Renamed Airbus Helicopters, the company opened 2014 with the certification of its new EC175 and the implementation of an ambitious customer-driven transformation plan. “We enter 2014 with a transformation plan that is being applied across the company and... Read more
28-Jan-2014Source: Enstrom
Jerry Mullins, current President and CEO, announced his retirement effective January 31st, 2014. A veteran in the aviation industry for 40 years, Mullins says, “It’s been a great run. Part of me will always be connected to the helicopter industry.” Mullins and his wife Nancy will be moving to Texas to be closer to family,... Read more
28-Jan-2014Source: US DoD
L-3 Communications Vertex Aerospace LLC, Madison, Miss., is being awarded a $13,764,771 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-09-D-0007) to exercise an option for organizational, selected intermediate and limited depot level maintenance for F-16, F-18, H-60 and E-2C aircraft operated by the adversary squadrons based at Naval Air Station, Fallon, Nev. Work will be... Read more
28-Jan-2014Source: DSCA
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq for AH-64E APACHE LONGBOW Attack Helicopters and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $4.8 billion. The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of 24 AH-64E APACHE LONGBOW Attack Helicopters, 56 T700-GE-701D... Read more
28-Jan-2014Source: DSCA
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress today of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Iraq for support for APACHE lease and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.37 billion. The Government of Iraq has requested a possible sale of 8 AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning System, 3 T-700-GE-701D engines,... Read more
28-Jan-2014Source: Nordic Rotors
Two Swedish helicopter schools, Svensk Pilotutbildning (SPU) and Scandinavian Aviation Academy (SAA), have been awarded an agreement with the Swedish National Agency for Higher Vocational Education for training of 30 new helicopter pilots a year. After acceptance to the two-year 400-point higher vocational education programme, the pilots will gain a full ATPL(H)IR theory and a CPL(H) license... Read more
28-Jan-2014Source: Dothan First
Senator Richard Shelby paid a visit to Bell Helicopter as part of his statewide jobs and industry tour – taking a look at the quality of businesses, their products and how they affect the local economies. See full story... Read more
28-Jan-2014Source: US DoD
CV International, Inc.*, Bend, Ore., was awarded a $15,916,531 firm-fixed-price contract for a modernized maintenance platform for CH-47, UH-60, AH-64, and OH-58 helicopters and for Unmanned Aerial System aircraft. Funding and work location will be determined with each order. Estimated completion date is Jan. 27, 2019. Bids were solicited via the Internet with four received.... Read more
27-Jan-2014Source: IHS
Speaking at the IQPC International Military Helicopter conference in London, Brigadier Neil Sexton revealed that with helicopters accounting for nearly half of the army’s running costs, a cheaper training solution is being sought. See full story... Read more
27-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Bell has offered the V-22 Osprey to India in the wake of the not-yet-finalised AW101 debacle. The AW101 situation is far from over. India finally agreed to appoint an arbitrator on 1st January, almost three months after AgustaWestland took the same step when India unilaterally decided to suspend the contract. According to AgustaWestland, there is... Read more
27-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com is having continuing success with its “Gallery” feature, recording over 16,000 images in its main Gallery, and over 296 photographers have joined as members of the Gallery. 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... Read more
27-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Last week Sikorsky’s parent company United Technologies issued their unaudited results for the year to 31 December 2013. As part of this, they included Sikorsky’s turnover figures down from $6.271 Billion to $6.253 Billion, a drop of 8%. The helicopter manufacturer’s profit was hit harder, dropping 17% from $712 Million to $594 Million. UTC also... Read more
27-Jan-2014Source: US DoD
L-3 Corp. Systems West, Salt Lake City, Utah, is being awarded a $17, 611,443 modification to a previously awarded indefinite-delivery, indefinite-quantity contract (N00019-13-D-0001) for supplies and services associated with Surface Terminal Equipment for Hawklink Tactical Common Data Link (TCDL) and the Littoral Combat Ship configurations, and the Vortex Mini-TCDL Shipset components. These supplies and services... Read more
27-Jan-2014Source: FLIR Systems
FLIR Systems, Inc. FLIR -3.91% today announced that William A. Sundermeier, President of the Company’s Government Systems Division, has resigned to pursue other personal and business opportunities. Thomas A. Surran, most recently President of the Company’s Commercial Systems Division, has been appointed Chief Operating Officer, and will assume responsibility for FLIR’s global commercial and government... Read more
26-Jan-2014Source: Times of India
Officials on Friday said the Italian conglomerate Finmeccanica had booked exhibition space at the show for its several companies to hawk their military hardware and software but its participation at Def Expo 2014 (due to open 6th February) had now been cancelled. See full story... Read more
26-Jan-2014Source: Vector Aerospace
Vector Aerospace UK, a leading provider of aviation maintenance, repair and overhaul (MRO) services, welcomed Philip Dunne, Minister for Defence Equipment, Support and Technology to its Fleetlands site in Gosport, Hampshire yesterday. The Minister, who was accompanied by Caroline Dinenage, MP for Gosport, Stubbington, Lee-on-Solent and Hill Head, was given a behind the scenes look... Read more
26-Jan-2014Source: DLR
Researchers from the German Aerospace Center (Deutsches Zentrum für Luft- und Raumfahrt; DLR) based at Göttingen and Braunschweig have succeeded for the first time in visualising the main cause of what makes helicopters so noisy while in the air. To do this, they conducted at times daring in-flight experiments – most recently in a quarry... Read more
26-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com
The Italian military has reported the untimely death of Major General Feltrinelli Calligaris, head of Italy’s Army aviation unit. The General was the instructor in an Agusta-Bell JetRanger which crashed on Mount Martha, near the Viterbo military base. Student pilot Lieutenant Paolo Tozzi was also killed in the accident. Major General Calligaris was appointed to... Read more
25-Jan-2014
Militants claim that an Egyptian Air Force helicopter has crashed with five fatalities. The nearest we have managed to get to photo evidence of this accident is this press photo which claims to be a funeral of one of those in the helicopter... Read more
24-Jan-2014Source: Breeze-Eastern
Breeze-Eastern Corporation (NYSE MKT: BZC), the aerospace industry’s only dedicated hoist and winch specialist, has been selected by the U.S. Army to supply BL-29900-30-1 high performance rescue hoists, as it upgrades its fleet of medical evacuation and search and rescue BLACK HAWK helicopters. These helicopters are used by active Army, Reserves and the National Guard,... Read more
23-Jan-2014Source: US DoD
EFW, Inc., Fort Worth, Texas, is being awarded an $11,666,579 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-13-C-0037) to exercise an option for the installation and procurement of helmet display tracker system (HDTS) kits for AH-1W aircraft, including nine HTDS P-kits, 29 AH-1W Helmet kits, and installation of 54 HDTS. Work will be performed in... Read more
23-Jan-2014Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc., Hurst, Texas, is being awarded $13,495,182 for cost-plus-fixed-fee delivery order 0001 under a previously awarded contract (N00383-14-D-015N) for repair/overhaul work of five high priority items for the UH-1Y and AH-1Z helicopters. Work will be performed in Hurst, Texas, and is expected to be completed by January 2017. Fiscal 2014 Navy working... Read more
23-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com
As parent company Textron reports it’s fourth quarter numbers, so they release the quarterly report on production volumes at Bell Helicopter. While military production continues fairly flat (and is predicted to near halve), so they have been compensated by commercial helicopter deliveries up 13% from 188 to 213 units. This covers Bell 206L3, 212, 407,... Read more
23-Jan-2014Source: HAL
India needs more helicopters compared to West and China as these wonder machines have proved their mettle in variety of uses by Armed Forces in general, during natural calamities and internal security threats, said Dr. R.K. Tyagi, Chairman, HAL. Pointing out that these machines ensure better governance but the country has far less copters compared... Read more
23-Jan-2014
Training flight, killing student Lieutenant Paolo Tozzi and General Feltrinelli Calligaris, head of Italian Army Aviation [named here]. Powerline reported down and press suggesting that was the cause.... Read more
23-Jan-2014Source: Star Telegram
The layoffs are expected to affect mostly salaried engineers at the company’s corporate headquarters in far east Fort Worth, where it employs about 5,000 people. See full story... Read more
23-Jan-2014
The pilots start their preflight checks on the aircraft, like they have done hundreds of times before, but this time it was different. Almost everything was the same, until it came time for the inside checks. Inside of the rotary wing aircraft looks like something out of the future, with big digital screens and a... Read more
22-Jan-2014Source: US Marine Corps
Eleven corporals with Marine Light Attack Helicopter Training Squadron 303 (HMLAT-303) symbolically received the noncommissioned officer blood stripe during a ceremony aboard Marine Corps Air Station Camp Pendleton, Calif., Jan. 17. Understanding the commitment behind the rank only begins the transformation from follower to leader. Noncommissioned officers form the backbone of leadership in the Marine... Read more
22-Jan-2014Source: Triumph Group
Triumph Group, Inc. today announced that M. David Kornblatt, Executive Vice President and Chief Financial Officer, will transition from that position next month to become the company’s Director of Corporate Development. He will be succeeded as Chief Financial Officer by Jeffrey L. McRae, currently President of Triumph Aerostructures – Vought Aircraft Division, upon formal election by the... Read more
22-Jan-2014
Precautionary landing in jungle due to weather. Location meant that helicopter crew was out of contact for 15+ hours, causing SAR response etc. 10 POB all safe... Read more
21-Jan-2014Source: SE Texas Record
Matthew J. Smith filed a lawsuit Jan. 14 in the U.S. District Court for the Southern District of Texas against Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Sikorsky Support Services, United Technologies Corp., Parker-Hannifin Corp. and Parker Aerospace Group, citing negligence. See full story... Read more
21-Jan-2014Source: Salt Lake Tribune
Utah National Guard Maj. Gen. Jefferson Burton questions the U.S. Army’s plan to take back all of their AH-64 Apache helicopters, 16 of which are here. See full story... Read more
21-Jan-2014Source: Reportlinker
Reportlinker.com announces that a new market research report is available in its catalogue: Global Helicopter Simulators Market 2014-2018 TechNavio’s analysts forecast the Global Helicopter Simulators market to grow at a CAGR of 2.80 percent over the period 2013-2018. One of the key factors contributing to this market growth is the growing demand for commercial aircrafts.... Read more
21-Jan-2014
Flying from Traverse City to Lansing for maintenance of a compass malfunction when it developed mechanical problems requiring the emergency landing. Roaded out.... Read more
20-Jan-2014Source: Airbus Group
Airbus Group leaders today welcomed the decision by Congress to fund procurement of 20 UH-72A Lakota helicopters through an omnibus spending package that the President has indicated he will sign into law. “This continuation of the government contract orders for the Lakota demonstrates the value of affordable, cost-effective programs in a constrained budget environment,” said... Read more
20-Jan-2014Source: Ukraine military
The personnel of the 56th DHU have celebrated its 10 Anniversary of peacekeeping activities in this country. At the official ceremony Col. Olexander Venher, Commander of Helicopter Unit, greeted the servicemen and awarded them the certificates. “In January 2004, the commander of the first rotation of the Ukrainian Contingent Col. Igor Shendrihin, completed the first flight in Robertsfield and the whole Mi-8crew accomplished its first flight task... Read more
20-Jan-2014Source: Royal Household
Prince Harry has completed his attachment to 3 Regiment Army Air Corps and will now take up a Staff Officer role in HQ London District. The Prince will take the position of SO3 (Defence Engagement). His responsibilities will include helping to co-ordinate significant projects and commemorative events involving the Army in London. Prince Harry will... Read more
20-Jan-2014Source: Airbus
The Bolivian Air Force (FAB) has selected the latest high-power version of the Super Puma to fight drug trafficking and perform public-security and disaster-relief missions throughout the country. The contract includes a logistics package that will support fleet sustainability in the coming years. The first two helicopters will be delivered this year and the remaining... Read more
17-Jan-2014
Emergency field landing. Engineer called. Flew out later same day... Read more
16-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com
Word is just reaching the HeliHub.com office of a night training flight accident just before midnight on Wednesday involving a Black Hawk. One of the three crew was killed and the other two seriously injured. Helicopter was with the 3rd Battalion, 160th Special Operations Regiment out of Fort Campbell. More info will be posted here as... Read more
16-Jan-2014Source: DSCA
The Defense Security Cooperation Agency notified Congress January 13 of a possible Foreign Military Sale to Israel for V-22B Block C Aircraft and associated equipment, parts, training and logistical support for an estimated cost of $1.13 billion. The Government of Israel (GOI) has requested a possible sale of 6 V-22B Block C Aircraft, 16 Rolls... Read more
16-Jan-2014Source: Airbus Helicopters
Spanish Ministry of Defense Becomes the World’s Leading Operator of the Airbus Helicopters’ EC135 Helicopter for military use Airbus Helicopters’ factory in Spain provided the setting early this week for the delivery of the two EC135 helicopters to the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET). The aircraft were the first to be delivered as part of... Read more
16-Jan-2014Source: US DoD
Bell-Boeing Joint Project Office, Amarillo, Texas, is being awarded $26,682,561 for cost-plus-fixed-fee, cost reimbursable delivery order 0067 against a previously issued basic ordering agreement (N00019-12-G-0006) in support of the V-22 aircraft. This order provides for on-site flight test management, flight test engineering, design engineering, and related efforts for the Naval Rotary Wing Aircraft Test Squadron.... Read more
16-Jan-2014Source: US DoD
Rolls-Royce Corp., Indianapolis, Ind., is being awarded a $13,556,862 modification to a previously awarded firm-fixed-price contract (N00019-10-C-0020) to provide 17,226 engine flight hours in support of the MV-22 aircraft. Work will be performed in Oakland, Calif. (70 percent) and Indianapolis, Ind. (30 percent), and is expected to be completed in November 2013. Fiscal 2014 operations... Read more
16-Jan-2014Source: Raytheon
Raytheon Company (NYSE: RTN) announced today that its Board of Directors has elected Dr. Thomas A. Kennedy, age 58, to serve as the Chief Executive Officer of Raytheon Company, effective March 31, 2014. Dr. Kennedy will succeedWilliam H. Swanson, who has served as the Chief Executive Officer of Raytheon Company since 2003, and who advised the Board... Read more
16-Jan-2014Source: Research and Markets
Research and Markets has announced the addition of the “Global Military, Parapublic and Commercial Helicopter Systems Market Assessment” report to their offering. This global research service on helicopter systems is broken down into three end-user segments which are military, parapublic, and commercial end users. The report provides analyses of helicopter avionics, mission systems, vehicle systems, and weapon systems... Read more
15-Jan-2014Source: Inside Defense
Defense Secretary Chuck Hagel has approved a US Army plan to restructure its aviation forces that includes divesting all OH-58s and taking all AH-64s out of the National Guard – See full story... Read more
15-Jan-2014Source: Boeing
Boeing [NYSE: BA] has identified “green diesel,” a renewable fuel used in ground transportation, as a significant new source of sustainable aviation biofuel that emits at least 50 percent less carbon dioxide than fossil fuel over its lifecycle. The company is working with the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration and other stakeholders to gain approval for... Read more
15-Jan-2014Source: BAE Systems
For more than two million in-theater combat hours, U.S. Army aviators have relied on BAE Systems’ Common Missile Warning System (CMWS) to locate and protect against infrared threats. As a result of the system’s success, the U.S. Army has awarded the company a $39 million contract for more than 300 third-generation (Gen3) units. This order... Read more
15-Jan-2014Source: TAI
Turkish Aerospace Industries, Inc. (TAI) participates in the Bahrain International Air Show (BIAS) under the umbrella of the Undersecretariat for Defense Industries (SSM) that will be held on 16-18 January 2014. During the show, TAI will display “T129 ATAK” Advanced Attack and Tactical Reconnaissance Helicopter in the static display and a flight demo will also... Read more
15-Jan-2014
One killed, two injured in training accident. Helicopter operated by Special ops 160SOAR unit. Fatality named here as Capt. Clayton O. Carpenter... Read more
14-Jan-2014Source: B/E Aerospace
B/E Aerospace, Inc. (NASDAQ:BEAV), the world’s leading manufacturer of aircraft cabin interior products and the world’s leading distributor of aerospace fasteners and consumables, today announced that the Company has been selected by AgustaWestland to provide aerospace fasteners and consumables, and logistical services for their global operations. The majority of the award represents market share gains. The... Read more
13-Jan-2014Source: CAE
CAE was awarded a contract by the U.S. Navy to develop an MH-60R mission operational flight trainer (MOFT) for the Royal Danish Navy under the United States foreign military sale (FMS) program. CAE USA will be the prime contractor responsible for the design and manufacture of an MH-60R MOFT that will be delivered in 2016 to Karup Air... Read more
12-Jan-2014Source: Rockwell Collins
Rockwell Collins’ next generation TacNet Tactical Radio (TTR) has received final National Security Agency certification to Top Secret, clearing the way to bring essential situational awareness to all warfighters through the smallest form factor, standalone Link 16 terminal. “The TacNet Tactical Radio opens up Link 16 networked communications to a wide range of new users and gives... Read more
10-Jan-2014Source: US DoD
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., was awarded a $549,905,199 modification (P00126) to contract W58RGZ-12-C-0008 to fund Navy’s eighteen MH-60S helicopters and nineteen MH-60R helicopters and associated sustaining engineering, program management, systems engineering, provisioning, technical publications, other integrated logistics support and advanced procurement funding for program years four and five. Fiscal 2014 other program funds in... Read more
10-Jan-2014
PZL-Świdnik, an AgustaWestland company, is pleased to announce it has delivered the fifth and final VIP transport Sokol helicopter to the Polish Air Force. The aircraft joined the other four Sokols already in service with the 1st Airlift Base in Warsawon 23rd December. All five helicopters, which have been delivered to the Polish Air Force this... Read more
9-Jan-2014Source: Airbus Helicopters
The rebranding of Eurocopter as Airbus Helicopters, effective today, marks a new era in the history of the company, which joins Airbus and Airbus Defence & Space within the new Airbus Group – the global leader in aerospace, defense and related services. Airbus Helicopters will benefit from and enrich the Airbus brand as it develops,... Read more
9-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com
The Colombian Navy has recently taken delivery of two Bell 412EPs, serialled locally as ARC-225 and ARC-226. These are Bell serial numbers 36639 test flown as N493AH and became ARC-225 with Colombian Navy, and 36640 test flown as N495FB and became ARC-226 with Colombian Navy Finished in a overall naval grey colour, the helicopters feature... Read more
9-Jan-2014
Safe emergency landing made with no damage to aircraft. Helicopter AOG awaiting engineer... Read more
8-Jan-2014Source: Airbus Group
Sean O’Keefe, Chairman and Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Airbus Group, Inc, the company’s North American business unit, will resign his position effective 1 March 2014. His successor will be Allan McArtor, currently Chairman of Airbus Americas. In his new capacity, McArtor will be a member of the Airbus Group Executive Committee. O’Keefe has elected... Read more
8-Jan-2014Source: US DoD
Bell Helicopter Textron, Inc, Hurst, Texas, was awarded an $18,556,810 modification (P00010) to contract W58RGZ-12-C-0030 to procure six additional months of contractor logistics support for Bell 407, Huey, Jet Ranger, and OH-58A&C helicopters. Fiscal 2014 funds in the amount of $18,556,810 were obligated at the time of the award. Estimated completion date is Aug. 8,... Read more
8-Jan-2014
Crashed into the ocean. Four of five POB rescued, but two of the four later died, named as pilot Lt. Wesley Van Dorn and Naval Aircrewman 3rd Class Brian Collins. Search for fifth person – pilot Lt. Sean Christopher Snyder – was later abandoned... Read more
7-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com
The Government of Nepal is reported to have signed a contract for the supply of two M il MI-17V5 helicopters, for delivery later in 2014. The source of this news – the ITAR-TASS agency – cites a source close to Nepalese Ministry of Defense. No other information is available at this time File photo Jeremy... Read more
7-Jan-2014Source: HeliHub.com
HeliHub.com publishes what we believe to be the most comprehensive helicopter accident information available on the internet. We do not vouch for completeness – and indeed we regularly add more data for both recent and historical events – but from the feedback we receive from our readers, we are confident that we provide a very comprehensive repository of helicopter... Read more
7-Jan-2014Source: Huffington Post
The plan to replace the Sea King fleet is years behind schedule, billions of dollars over the original project estimate and apparently beset with technical glitches. Last year, the Public Works Department indicated it was looking at other aircraft because Cyclone manufacturer Sikorsky had delivered just four test aircraft, which National Defence has refused to... Read more
7-Jan-2014Source: Sikorsky
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp. today announced the successful maiden test flight of the modernized S-61T™ helicopter with an integrated glass cockpit and enhanced performance capabilities. Sikorsky is a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX). In 2010, Sikorsky began a program to upgrade S-61™ aircraft and return them to productive service. An industry workhorse, the S-61... Read more
7-Jan-2014
Lakenheath-based Pave Hawk helicopter crashed during a night low-level training exercise due to a multiple bird strike, killing all four on board – named as Capt Christopher S. Stover, Capt Sean M. Ruane, Technical Sergeant Dale E. Mathews and Staff Sergeant Afton M. Ponce.. The helicopter went down between a beach car park at Cley... Read more
6-Jan-2014Source: The Helicopter Museum
The Helicopter Museum in Weston-super-Mare is celebrating its 25th Anniversary in 2014, and to kick-start its year of celebrations it has unveiled an exhibition that charts another important Anniversary in the world of helicopter aviation. “The First Helicopter Rescue” tells the tale of the daring rescue mission that took place 60 years ago in April... Read more
3-Jan-2014Source: US DoD
Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., Stratford, Conn., has been awarded a maximum $14,352,600 firm-fixed-price contract for helicopter bearing assembly spindle. This contract is a sole source acquisition. Location of performance is Connecticut with a Dec. 31, 2018 performance completion date. Using military service is Navy. Type of appropriation is fiscal 2014 defense working capital funds. The contracting... Read more
3-Jan-2014Source: AgustaWestland
AgustaWestland, a Finmeccanica company, confirms to have received yesterday from India’s Ministry of Defence a notification concerning the appointment of an arbitrator from its side, as requested by AgustaWestland on November 25 and December 4, 2013, as well as a termination notice of the agreement for the supply of 12 VVIP/VIP helicopters, consistent with yesterday’s... Read more
