Defence Helicopters news – Page 32
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NewsBell ends V-280 test flights ahead of US Army’s FLRAA competition
Bell has finished its flight-test programme of the V-280 Valor tiltrotor ahead of the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft request for proposal that is anticipated to be released by the US Army this summer.
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NewsBoeing gets $599m contract for new UK Chinooks
Boeing has been awarded a $599 million contract to begin producing 14 CH-47 Chinook Block II transport helicopters for the UK Royal Air Force (RAF).
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NewsAustralia grounds MRH90 Taipan fleet
Australia has grounded its entire fleet of NH Industries MRH90 Taipan helicopters owing to sustainment issues.
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NewsMD Helicopters gets contract extensions for Afghan MD530F support
MD Helicopters has secured a pair of contracts worth a total of $43.9 million related to support for the Afghan Air Force’s MD530F light attack helicopters.
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NewsAirbus Helicopters showcases ‘westernised’ H175 as UK Puma replacement hots up
Airbus Helicopters has revealed the first airframe of a H175 super-medium-twin which has been built entirely using European-sourced components to replace those previously provided by Chinese suppliers.
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NewsUK extends Merlin operations until 2040
UK defence officials have quietly extended the out-of-service date for the Royal Navy’s Leonardo Helicopters AW101 Merlin rotorcraft under plans that will now see the heavy, three-engined type operating until 2040.
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NewsLeonardo hands first TH-73A trainer to US Navy
Leonardo Helicopters has delivered the first of an eventual 130 TH-73A trainers to the US Navy at a ceremony held at the manufacturer’s Philadelphia production site. The airframer has so far received 68 orders via two fixed-price contracts worth $177 million and $171 million, placed in January and November 2020, ...
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NewsPhilippine air force receives five more S-70is
The Philippine air force (PAF) has received five additional Sikorsky S-70i Black Hawks, as it also awaits delivery of two Turkish Aerospace (TAI) T129 ATAK attack helicopters.
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NewsUS Marine Corps Bell AH-1Z Viper connects to ground station using Link 16
The US Marine Corps (USMC) has demonstrated a Bell AH-1Z establishing a two-way connection to a ground station using new Link 16 hardware and software.
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NewsUS government clears $3.5 billion Apache sale to Australia
Canberra’s planned acquisition of 29 Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters has received the blessings of the US State Department.
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NewsLeonardo ramps up AW149 push for Puma replacement
Leonardo Helicopters has underscored the credentials of its 8.6t AW149 super-medium-twin as a replacement for the UK Royal Air Force’s Puma HC2 transports, particularly against what it describes as rival “paper aircraft”.
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NewsSingapore takes delivery of first CH-47F
The Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) has started taking delivery of its new Boeing CH-47F Chinook helicopters.
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NewsX-Net data link, designed for small munitions, gets NSA Type-1 certification
Raytheon’s X-Net communication system has received a Type-1 certification, the highest encryption rating from the National Security Agency.
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NewsBabcock to provide another H160 pair on lease to French navy
France has firmed an option for two additional Airbus Helicopters H160s, adding to four examples of the new medium-twin already destined to be operated by the country’s navy for search and rescue (SAR) missions.
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NewsNorway continues roll-out of search and rescue AW101s
The Royal Norwegian Air Force has begun operations with search and rescue-roled Leonardo Helicopters AW101 at Orland air base – the second location to go live with the 15.6t rotorcraft.
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NewsNATO not prioritising very high speed for next-generation helicopter
NATO members driving the development of a next-generation rotorcraft appear to be prioritising range and capability – including use as an optionally piloted aircraft – over very high speed, according to documents released by the alliance.
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NewsRAF to receive 14 new Block II Chinooks in £1.4 billion deal, but sees fleet shrink
The UK is to become the first international customer for the upgraded Block II version of the Boeing Chinook helicopter, with the Royal Air Force (RAF) to take them in the MH-47G special forces guise.
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NewsUS Air Force signs research contract for ‘Bell’s High Speed VTOL’
The US Air Force Research Laboratory has contracted Bell to research a high-speed vertical take-off and landing aircraft.
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AnalysisContenders for RAF Puma replacement face new procurement landscape
With the UK set to replace its Royal Air Force fleet of 23 Puma HC2 helicopters by the middle of this decade, the contenders are already lining up. But the competition will be one of the first major procurements in the country to be conducted under new rules designed to make economic and social factors a core part of the selection process, potentially tilting the field.
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NewsUpgrading CH-47 Chinook with more powerful GE T408 turboshaft is feasible: US Army
The US Army believes it is feasible to upgrade its fleet of Boeing CH-47 Chinooks with the GE T408 turboshaft engine.