Helicopters – Page 8
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NewsBoeing plans for modernised Apache 50 years after first flight
It’s been nearly 50 years since the Hughes YAH-64 prototype lifted off for the first time in September 1975 and Boeing is now looking at how to keep the iconic attack helicopter flying for another half-century.
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NewsSikorsky bets on advanced technology as UH-60 twilight looms
The pioneering rotorcraft manufacturer is looking to new product lines ahead of a looming decline in sales for the marquee UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter, as the US Army considers what is expected to be its final multi-year contract for the venerable type.
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NewsNATO Flight Training Europe initiative welcomes four more nations
The NATO Flight Training Europe initiative has gained four new participants, with Canada, Denmark, Norway and Poland having signed up during a NATO defence ministers meeting in Brussels on 5 June.
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NewsNew Zealand NH90s benefit from rapid avionics improvements
The Royal New Zealand Air Force has conducted an avionics upgrade of its NH Industries NH90 helicopters.
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NewsSpanish navy takes first two NH90 TTHs
All three branches of Spain’s armed forces are now operators of the NH Industries (NHI) NH90 helicopter following the delivery of a pair of the multirole rotorcraft to the nation’s navy.
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NewsCanada reveals designations and livery for new RCAF trainer fleet
At the 2025 CANSEC defence and security conference in Ottawa, the head of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) revealed the names, designations and liveries of the service’s fleet of 71 new trainer aircraft, including single- and multi-engined turboprops and helicopters.
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In depthUS Army will accept some risk on MV-75 development to accelerate production
The service’s head of procurement for the tiltrotor says the service will make some programmatic adjustments intended to get the new MV-75 into service a year or two sooner.
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NewsLockheed outlines ‘turnkey’ bid for US Army helicopter training contract
The defence giant says it will offer a “turnkey” package to meet all of the army’s needs for a new trainer aircraft, including instruction services and sustainment, although a specific rotorcraft has not yet been identified.
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NewsFatal Australian MRH90 crash attributed to crew’s spatial disorientation
The fatal crash of an Australian army NH Industries MRH90 was due to the flightcrew’s spatial disorientation, leading to controlled flight into the sea.
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NewsElbit to provide DIRCM systems for Israeli AH-64s, UH-60s
Elbit Systems has secured a $55 million contract from the Israeli government to provide new self-protection systems for the nation’s Boeing AH-64 Apache attack helicopters and Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk transport helicopters.
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NewsEDF awards Airbus and Leonardo-led consortium €100m for next-gen military rotorcraft research
A 45-member consortium headed by Airbus Helicopters has been selected to share almost €100 million ($113 million) from the European Defence Fund (EDF) to develop the technologies needed for a future military rotorcraft.
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NewsUSA clears possible AW119Kx sale to Bosnia and Herzegovina
The US government has cleared the possible sale of Leonardo Helicopters AW119Kx rotorcraft to Bosnia and Herzegovina.
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NewsMalaysian military to field AW149s via major Leonardo/Weststar deal
Leonardo Helicopters is to provide up to 28 new rotorcraft to support a variety of missions for Malaysia’s armed forces and government agencies.
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NewsAirbus still bullish on unmanned UH-72 despite US Army replacement effort
Airbus is competing an unmanned version of its UH-72B light utility helicopter, dubbed the MQ-72, for a US Marine Corps logistics programme designed to support ship-to-shore cargo deliveries.
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NewsBell pitches 505 as simplified trainer solution for US Army
The US Army is seeking a single-engined alternative to its Airbus Helicopters UH-72A basic trainer, with Bell pitching a 505-based package the company says will generate cost savings and better outcomes for trainees.
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NewsUS Army completes first flight with GE Aerospace T901 turboshaft
The army’s head of aviation procurement confirmed the recent milestone, amid ongoing uncertainty around the future of the new GE Aerospace turboshaft engine.
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In depthUS Army seeks to ‘pure fleet’ helicopter inventory by retiring older models
The US Army confirms that it hopes to retire all older D-model Boeing AH-64 attack and Sikorsky UH-60L/V utility helicopters as it seeks to downsize the rotary-wing fleet and operate more efficiently.
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NewsBoeing on track to deliver first Australian Apaches by end of 2025
Boeing’s head of attack helicopters says Canberra’s first tranche of AH-64Es are working their way through the company’s production line in Mesa, Arizona and will be delivered to Australia later this year.
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NewsRobinson offers R66 to US Army as new trainer
With the announcement that the US Army is seeking a no-frills, single-engined trainer to replace the Airbus UH-72 Lakota, American airframer Robinson sees a major opportunity to expand into the defence business.
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NewsUS Army designates next-generation Bell tiltrotor as MV-75
The army’s number two officer confirms the designation for the developmental Bell rotorcraft while speaking at the service’s annual aviation summit in Nashville, Tennessee.