Helicopters
4,786 news found
HelicoptersEurocopter: EC-135 and EC-145 EMS versions' success grew
Washington, USA – Orders from various operators put into evidence appreciation for reliability, handiness and equipment quality
The EC-135 and the EC-145 go on proving successful in the Emergency Medical Service (EMS) field in the United States. Additional five EC-135s have been requested by CJ Systems Aviation Group so leading... more
HelicoptersThree Italian Army's Chinooks transferred from Herat to Kabul
Kabul, Afghanistan - After performing about 100 missions and carrying some 100 ISAF's soldiers
After being re-deployed in Herat within the NATO contingent territorial reinforcement strategy in Afghanistan during the electoral period, three Italian Army’s helicopters went back to capital Kabul r... more
HelicoptersEarthquake in Pakistan (2): transport helicopters risk to be grounded
Islamabad, Pakistan - To lack money
Helicopters used to carry food and supplies to earthquake victims stranded among Himalaya mountains, could be grounded in few days when donors fail. Aid workers are trying to bring food, water and medicines... more
HelicoptersChile about to purchase the HAL Dhruv
Santiago, Chile - The sign of an India-Chilean agreement for an unclear number of aircraft is about to occur
The Indian Dhruv military helicopter is likely to gain its first purchaser in South America. Representatives from New Dheli’s Government and HAL (Hindustan Aeronautics Ltd) aerospace company are about t... more
HelicoptersBell AH-1Z and UH-1Y: two "inseparable" helicopters for Marine Corps
Washington, USA – Full share of many components for the latest versions of the two aircraft with self-evident operational and economic advantages
Some 280 new (or almost) military helicopters for Marine Corps. It is the result of the Bell’s programme named H-1 and by which the well known US group is about to deliver to the related operational u... more
HelicoptersAgusta: European Court of Justice rejected EU Commission's appeal
Brussels, Belgium - The appeal was applied against the supply of two helicopters from Civil Defence
Luxembourg-based Court of Justice has rejected the EU Commission appeal against Italy due to the purchase -by a private treaty- of two Agusta helicopters for Italian Civil Defence, on the strength of a... more
HelicoptersEurocopter: more than a 50% stake in the Japanese civil market
Tokyo, Japan - Aircraft deployed by Police units, Firemen and for institutional VIP transport
Eurocopter analysed the situation concerning the consolidation of its presence in the Japanese market. More than a 50% of the aircraft used for civil and administrative activities consists of vehicles... more
HelicoptersOperational night flight tests for the NH-90
Paris, France - Aircraft and systems' performance proved excellent for such mission profile, according to experts
Operational tests have been performed with the NH-90. A German Army’s helicopter was deployed in French homeland by personnel belonging to the armed forces from both states for a night flight mission w... more
HelicoptersColumbia Helicopters: eight Canadian Vertol 107 "Took off their uniforms"
Portland, USA - The US company purchased helicopters previously owned by Canadian armed forces to deploy them for civil purposes
Columbia Helicopters is a US company competent for heavy-lift transport missions, firefighting and support for oil sector activities and construction. Such a firm is provided with Chinook and Vertol 107... more
HelicoptersLUH: Bell launched the 412EP, a proven and reliable aircraft
Washington, USA – The company aims to replace the US Army's UH-1 by its "natural heir"
Bell group won the bid for the new US Army’s scout helicopter by its new 407 ARH to replace the OH-58 Kiowas just resorting to an evolution of the Bell 206 military version itself. Now the US helicopter f... more
HelicoptersSikorsky: orders for 84 helicopters thanks to defence spending
Washington, USA – A defence bill worth USD 445bn has been scheduled
Defence spending in the United States should be worth around USD 445bn and Sikorsky helicopter group is likely to take outstanding advantages in terms of orders for military aircraft. It is being forecasted... more
HelicoptersLUH: new partners for the MD-900 Explorer
Washington, USA - DynCorp and Genco for logistic activities and Aviation Systems of Northwest Florida for training
Additional companies are ready to warrant their support to MD Helicopters to compete for the bid related to the US Army’s LUH (Light Utility Helicopter) programme. It deals with DynCorp, Genco and Aviation S... more
HelicoptersFirst A-109 LUHs for South African Air Force have been delivered
Pretoria, South Africa - Four vehicles out of thirty are available for the operational units and powered with the Turbomeca Arrius 2K2 turboshafts
Four out of thirty AgustaWestland A-109 LUH helicopters ordered by South African Air Force have been delivered to the operational units recently. Such vehicles will perform several kinds of mission such... more
HelicoptersCH-149 Cormorant: tail rotor problems to be solved by Spring 2006
Toronto, Canada - AgustaWestland ensured it to Canadian operator
AgustaWestland will solve the technical structural problem related to tail rotor on the Canadian CH-149 Cormorant helicopters (a dedicated version of the EH-101) by next Spring. So, all the 15 available... more
HelicoptersKorean Helicopter Programme: Bell, AgustaWestland and Eurocopter ready to cooperate
Seoul, South Korea - South Korean Ministry of Defence requested technology transfer
Three helicopter companies are candidates in order to provide their contribution for the South Korean programme named Helicopter Programme. Bell, AgustaWestland and Eurocopter could be selected to ensure... more
HelicoptersEurocopter: new engines and upgrade provision for the USCG's HH-65s started
Washington, USA - Operations to transform 11 HH-65Bs helicopters in the HH-65C standard and new turboshafts for some 96 vehicles
Eurocopter and Lockheed Martin will cooperate to update the US Coast Guard’s HH-65 Dolphin helicopter fleet. Operations for the provision of new engines involving some 96 vehicles of this type with the n... more
HelicoptersBan on flight for UN helicopters: Blues Helmets leaves the Ethiopian-Eritrean security zone
Asmara, Eritrea - To evacuate 18 posts situated in remote areas that are difficult to reach by using other means
The Blues Helmets of the UN Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE) will withdraw as soon as possible from 18 of 40 posts along the security zone between the two countries. The measure has been taken after... more
HelicoptersJapan: first RTM-322 turboshaft for the EH-101 has been delivered
Akashi, Japan - The powerplant is manufactured by Kawasaki by a license granted by Rolls Royce and Turbomeca
The first Rolls Royce/Turbomeca RTM-322 turboshaft for the Japanese EH-101 has been completed and delivered. The EH-101s operate for the Japan Maritime Self Defence Force (that is to say Japanese Navy)... more
HelicoptersBulgaria: Judge saved Elbit for the modernization of the Mi-24s and the Mi-17s
Sofia, Bulgaria - Israeli company proved successful after appealing against the programme cancellation decided by Defence Ministry some months ago
Bulgarian Defence Ministry had decided some months ago to withdraw the contract related to the modernization of several military helicopters previously granted to Israeli firm Elbit as considering it incapable... more
HelicoptersLockheed Martin started transforming the MH-60Rs for antisom and anti-ship missions
Washington, USA - Some 254 helicopters of this type have been requested by US Navy through 2015
Lockheed Martin started working to set the first of the 254 Sikorsky MH-60R shipped helicopters for operations. It deals with the latest version of the well known Sea Hawk, provided with state-of-the-art... more
HelicoptersMarine One: hovering tests for the VH-71A
Washington, USA – Trials on the US-101 prototypes go on
A test flight for the VH-71A has been recently performed. It is the future Marine One (US Presidential helicopter) dedicated version of the AgustaWestland EH-101 with its new name which replaces the previous... more
HelicoptersBan on flight for UN helicopters: Blues Helmets bases in Eritrea to close
Asmara, Eritrea - Meanwhile aricraft remain grounded
Helicopters used by blue helmets of United Nation Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), remains still grounded and after suspending the mine clearance operations (see for details AVIONEWS), the decision... more
HelicoptersSikorsky: a "Computer-oriented" strategy in developing new helicopters
Washington, USA – The group resorts to virtual simulations to design new aircraft and study their performance
A powerful computer to virtually design and test new helicopters. Sikorsky traditionally operates in this manner by solutions aimed to contain costs and provide a series of preliminary data about the features... more
HelicoptersWestland Transmissions-SWMF agreement for MoD helicopters maintenance
Yeovil, UK - Operations involving aircraft transmissions components
Westland Transmissions, an AgustaWestland helicopter group-owned company, signed recently a collaboration agreement with South West Metal Finishing (SWMF) for maintenance and repairing activity regarding... more
HelicoptersMine clearance operations were suspended due to ban on flight for UN helicopters
Asmara, Eritrea - "We cannot evacuate personnel for health reasons in case of accident"
After Eritrean Government imposed flight restrictions to United Nations air forces on its own homeland, UN mine clearance operations has been suspend as anticipated (see for details AVIONEWS). "We cannot... more
HelicoptersSchweizer: new jobs by Summer 2006
Washington, USA – Thanks to the positive performance of the company while the development of the X-2 provided with a co-axial solution goes on
The increasing success of Schweizer’s products will enable the Sikorsky-owned US helicopter company to make the number of employees rise up to a 10% by Summer 2006. Group Board announced it by indicating s... more
HelicoptersNH-90: the RTM332 turboshaft has been certified for military deployment
Paris, France - Ten out of eleven countries among customers of the helicopter opted for such a powerplant jointly offered by Rolls Royce and Turbomeca
The Rolls Royce Turbomeca RTM332 turboshaft has been certified for military deployment with reference to the HNI NH-90 helicopter’s powerplant, choppers jointly produced by Eurocopter, AgustaWestland a... more
HelicoptersCSAR-X: helicopter VS tilt-rotor for future USAF Combat Search and Rescue operations
Washington, USA – Candidates are likely to be the US-101, the S-92, the CH-47 and the V-22
US Air Force needs a new aircraft devoted to Combat Search and Rescue operations and launched the CSAR-X programme by indicating some major requirements that the future aircraft will have to meet. It will... more
HelicoptersLUH: "MD Explorer, the best solution for US Army"
Washington, USA – US helicopter group proves convinced about the possibility of winning the competition with its MD-900
MD Helicopters proves confident about the possibility of winning the bid related to the US Army’s LUH (Light Utility Helicopter) by promoting its MD-900 Explorer light twin rotor-winged aircraft. Lockheed M... more
HelicoptersEritrea grounded UN helicopters
Asmara, Eritrea - Kofi Annan: "This decision negatively affects peace-keepers security"
Helicopters used by blue helmets of United Nation Mission in Ethiopia and Eritrea (UNMEE), as ordered by the Eritrean Government that imposed flight restrictions to UN air forces on its own homeland, have... more
HelicoptersEnstrom: The Guardian performing a "Police Tour" in the United States
Washington, USA – At least 27 security departments and 40 pilots seized a chance to test the 480B's capabilities
Enstrom is promoting its 480B Guardian helicopter in various US states for several Police departments. At least 27 units seized a chance recently to evaluate the vehicle’s capabilities to ensure local s... more
HelicoptersEurocopter: "Quick and transparent" maintenance for its customers
Marignane, France - A new workshop dedicated to repairing and overhaul activities for helicopters has been opened
Eurocopter opened a new facility in Marignane (France) on last October 5, one dedicated to maintenance and repairing activities for helicopters. The event must be understood within the great care policy... more
HelicoptersSELEX-Lockheed Martin: a partnership for the future anti-collision system of the "Black Hawk"
Washington, USA – The LOAM system produced by the Finmeccanica group's company to be offered to Pentagon
SELEX (Finmeccanica group) found in Lockheed Martin as a preferential partner for the promotion in the United States of the LOAM system (Laser Obstacle Avoidance Monitoring) devoted to civil and military... more
HelicoptersEuropean Helicopters Association: An Italian appointed as President for the first time
Cambridge, UK - The new leader is Eng. Vittorio Morassi
On the occasion of Helitech 2005 (UK, September 27-29), Eng. Vittorio Morassi was appointed by representatives from 15 state members of European Helicopters Association as its new President. It is the... more
HelicoptersLUH: Sikorsky joined the UH-145 programme
Washington, USA – It will attend to logistic support for the dedicated version of the Eurocopter EC-145
Sikorsky joined the partnership which is promoting the EADS-Eurocopter UH-145 in the United States for the LUH (Light Utility Helicopter) of US Army. Both the European aerospace and defence holding by... more
HelicoptersLUH: AgustaWestland launched the US-139
Washington, Usa - A special version of the AB-139 promoted by a team also consisting of Pratt & Whitney Canada, Honeywell and L3 Communications
AgustaWestland, with reference to the US Army’s LUH (Light Utility Helicopter) programme, set a team for the promotion of a specific version of the AB-139 (a helicopter produced together with US Bell), n... more
HelicoptersLufttransport: the AB-139 has been delivered
Oslo, Norway - It will operate for passenger transport in the Northern area of the Scandinavian country
Norwegian airline Lufttransport took delivery of its AgustaWestland/Bell AB-139 helicopter increasing the variety of its rotor-winged fleet which already includes, moreover, the A-109E Power. Lufttransport,... more
HelicoptersItaly: helicopter pilots to go on strike next October 9
Rome, Italy - To perform a nationwide 8-hour walkout
Anpac, Uil Piloti and Fit-Cisl Piloti union trades called a 8-hour nationwide strike of helicopters pilots on next October 9, due to the failed execution of the agreement signed last June 30 that provides... more
HelicoptersKaman SH-2G: losses reported due to delays in deliveries for Australia
Washington, USA – The US helicopter company weill have to face some hardships during the 3Q 2005
Kaman reported some losses during the 3Q 2005 and the reason of such problem should be partially put down to delays for the development and delivery of the SH-2G "Seasprite" multirole helicopters to Australian... more
HelicoptersBulgaria: an effective solution against the RPG threat
Sofia, Bulgaria - A result of studies related to the deployment of helicopters in Afghanistan and Iraq
Fighting activities in Afghanistan and Iraq taught, provided that one still needs to understand it, how helicopters are vulnerable to the RPG anti-tank rockets. Despite the natural surface-to-surface very... more
HelicoptersFuture Lynx: the SELEX HIDAS 15 system for the new AgustaWestland's helicopter
London, UK - The system devoted the electronic countermeasures management of the vehicle is already deployed on the AH Mk1 Apaches
SELEX Selex Sensors and Airborne Systems (Finmeccanica group) will provide the suite for the electronic countermeasures and sensors management related to the self-protection of the new AgustaWestland Future... more
HelicoptersSikorsky S-76D: Thales requested for producing its cockpit
Washington, USA – The French group will most of all aim to ensure a better visibility for the crew
The latest version of the S-76 produced by Sikorsky will have an all-French Thales made cockpit. The group competent for the design of avionic systems will focus for the so called S-76D on wider coloured... more
HelicoptersEurocopter EC-225/725: rising success for the new Pumas and Cougars
Paris, France - Market proves a promising one both for the civil and military versions
Eurocopter expects an increasing success for its EC-225/725 helicopters, the latest versions of the Cougar-Puma-Super Puma rotor-winged aircraft family. The civil version (EC-225) is more and more being... more
HelicoptersEuropean Helicopter Association: an Italian achieved Presidency
Amsterdam, Holland - Eng. Vittorio Morassi, already a member of Associazione Elicotteristica Italiana's Council and President of Helicopters Italia
Eng. Vittorio Morassi is the new President of European Helicopter Association. It is the first time since the association foundation (some 25 years ago) that an Italian person is appointed to lead it.... more
HelicoptersFrench military helicopters raid on hijacked ship off Corsica
Bastia, Corsica - The transalpine cargo had been seized from dependents of a navigation company
French military helicopters have recaptured a transalpine cargo ship that had been hijacked yesterday at Marseille port by workers of the state-owned SNCM Corsica to protest against Government’s decision t... more
HelicoptersTurkey: new delay for the purchase of 30 combat helicopters
Ankara, Turkey - Around 20 Cobra aircraft are presently in service
Turkish Government decided to postpone further the date for the beginning of the official bid related to the provision of 30 combat helicopters till next November 8. Turkish Army operates currently around... more
HelicoptersIreland: two EC-135s for the armed forces under delivery
Dublin, Ireland - The first one has already arrived in the country while the second one will be available in October
Irish Air Corps will operate two Eurocopter EC-135 helicopters and has taken delivery of the first vehicle recently, whereas it will have to wait until next month for the arrival of the second one. The... more
HelicoptersPZL and Rolls Royce to cooperate for the SW-4's powerplant
Warsaw, Poland - Polish Air Force has already selected a specific version of the light helicopter for training activities
Polish aerospace group PZL intends to carefully appraise the possibility of developing various versions of the SW-4 single engine light helicopter, and it has recently decided to sign a letter of intent... more
HelicoptersA-109 LUHS: certifications for the Swedish armed forces
Stockholm, Sweden - Twenty aircraft renamed HKP-15 have been ordered for multirole activities
The AgustaWestland A-109 LUHS has been granted in Sweden with the FLYGI military certification, after a similar measure performed in South Africa. Some twenty aircraft have been ordered for the Swedish... more
HelicoptersMD Helicopters: new orders for the MD-520N and the MD-600N
Washington, USA – Vehicles have been requested in the United States, Czech Republic and Turkey by various kinds of customer
MD Helicopters would seem able to progressively improve its own condition as it would have taken delivery of four orders in recent days by various operators in the United States, Czech Republic and Turkey.... more