FlightGlobal takes a look at the latest product developments across the various segments of the helicopter market.
- Arguably the most competitive part of the helicopter market, the light-single segment is, however, not necessarily blessed with the most modern designs. Nonetheless, new models are in development which will bring innovation to the sector.
- While not selling in the same quantities as their lighter siblings, light-twin helicopters play a significant role in society, notably in law enforcement and emergency medical services missions.
- Heading up the weight range means these medium-class helicopters are more capable but more complex – and come with a bigger price ticket. Despite this, there are big sellers in this category, alongside new entrants.
- A few years ago there were many forecasts that the new super-medium-class helicopters would sell by the bucket-load. This has not quite come to pass, although those operating the rotorcraft in this weight class have used their performance benefits to push into new markets.
- Heavy-twins sit at the top of each manufacturer’s range and while a downturn in oil and gas services has hurt sales in some cases, interest from the search and rescue operators has remained strong.
New models set to bring fresh competition to light-single helicopter segment
Arguably the most competitive part of the helicopter market, the light-single segment is, however, not necessarily blessed with the most modern designs. Nonetheless, new models are in development which will bring innovation to the sector.
Helicopters: the crack troops of the war on wildfires
Rotorcraft are able to tackle forest blazes in a way fixed-wing aircraft can not. We look at what the various assets on the market can offer
The global helicopter market in numbers
A breakdown of the global in-service fleets across the civil and military helicopter markets, together with historic fleet and delivery trends.
Slow-selling super-medium-class helicopters make modest headway
A few years ago there were many forecasts that the new super-medium-class helicopters would sell by the bucket-load. This has not quite come to pass, although those operating the rotorcraft in this weight class have used their performance benefits to push into new markets.
New arrivals in medium helicopter sector threaten the old order
Heading up the weight range means these medium-class helicopters are more capable but more complex – and come with a bigger price ticket. Despite this, there are big sellers in this category, alongside new entrants.
Airbus dominates light-twin helicopter market with German-built duo
While not selling in the same quantities as their lighter siblings, light-twin helicopters play a significant role in society, notably in law enforcment and emergency medical services missions.
Heavy-twin helicopters are dragged down by offshore slump
Heavy-twins sit at the top of each manufacturer’s range and while a downturn in oil and gas services has hurt sales in some cases, interest from the search and rescue operators has remained strong.
More helicopter news
MD Helicopters promotes aftersales chief to president
MD Helicopters has promoted Ryan Weeks to the role of president, overseeing the day-to-day operations of the rotorcraft manufacturer.
AW609 tiltrotor completes first round of ship landing trials aboard Italian navy carrier
Leonardo Helicopters has revealed the successful conclusion of an initial phase of ship-landing trials for its AW609 tiltrotor as part of a project with the Italian military.
2Excel readies for start of Irish coastguard contract with local subsidiary launch
UK-headquartered 2Excel Aviation has set up an Irish subsidiary as it prepares to begin supplying fixed-wing support services to search and rescue provider Bristow Ireland on the latter’s contract with the country’s coastguard.
Leonardo to pause Boeing 787 fuselage work at Grottaglie site
Leonardo is to halt production of composite centre fuselage barrels for the Boeing 787 at its Grottaglie site in southern Italy for four months as it wrestles to align production with lower short-term demand.
First Russian-made engines delivered for import-substituted Kazan Ansat helicopter
Russia’s United Engine has supplied the first prototype Klimov VK-650V engines for the Kazan Ansat light-twin under an import-substitution programme.
Open door, loose overalls caused fatal MD500D crash: NZ probe
New Zealand investigators have highlighted the dangers involved with doors opening in flight following the 2018 fatal crash of an MD Helicopters MD500D.
Belgium becomes latest H145M customer with deal for up to 20 helicopters
Belgium has ordered up to 20 Airbus Helicopters H145Ms for its army and national police, becoming the latest customer for the popular light-twin.
Bundespolizei details specifications for new H225 fleet
Germany is to procure separate versions of the Airbus Helicopters H225 for maritime and land-based missions by the Bundespolizei through its interior ministry’s recently announced €1.9 billion ($2 billion) order for 38 examples of the heavy-twin.
German order propels H225 production into 2040s: Airbus Helicopters chief
Production of the Airbus Helicopters H225 is now assured well into the 2040s following a record-breaking order for up to 44 examples of the heavy-twin for the Bundespolizei, or German Federal Police.
Germany places record H225 helicopter order for Federal police
Germany’s Federal Ministry of the Interior has ordered up to 44 Airbus Helicopters H225s for the Bundespolizei – a record commitment for the heavy-twin.