HelicoptersComanche project in a heavy crisis

Washington, USA - High costs and delays damaged project

THe project of the new Boeing-United Technologies Comanche combat helicopter program risks to be canceled if costs and schedule delays aren't controlled by year's end, according to declarations of U.S.... more

HelicoptersSimplex receives FAA approval for Super Puma new fire attack system

Portland, Oregon, USA

Simplex Manufacturing has received FAA approval for their new Model 316 Fire Attack System, designed for the Eurocopter AS332L, L1, and L2 series Super Puma helicopters. Simplex has already delivered two... more

HelicoptersSea Hawks for Turkish Navy arrive on board of a giant Russian Antonov plane

Ankara, Turkey

A shipment of Seahawk helicopters bought for the Turkish Naval Forces and produced by the American Sikorsky Aircraft Company, shipped to Turkey from the United States by Antonov-124 type giant cargo plane,... more

HelicoptersIran and China interested in Anhel Ukrainian helicopter production

Peking, China

According to the Ukrainian helicopter producer Aviaimpeks president, Serhiy Tyurin, China and Iran have proposed that Ukrainian Anhel light, multi-purpose helicopters, which are under license from that... more

HelicoptersGreen light from Slovak defence minister for Mi-24 modernization program

Bratislava, Slovakia

The Slovak Defence Minister Jozef Stank announced its approval for a project aimed at modernization of Russian helicopters Mi-24 by the Visegrad Group countries (V4- Poland, Hungary, the Czech Republic... more

HelicoptersNamibia government to buy two AgustaWestland AB139s

Namibia, Africa

African country Namibia's president, Sam Nujoma, has confirmed there is nothing wrong with Government's plans to buy two new helicopters, two Italian made AgustaWestland AB-139. "We cannot run a government... more

HelicoptersA "better view" for pilots in the fog from AgustaWestland

Vergiate, Varese, Italy

Engineers at AgustaWestland, the Italian-British helicopter joint-venture between Finmeccanica and GKN, are developing a system which will allow pilots to "see" in the fog and other zero-visibility conditions.... more

HelicoptersEurocopter delivers its first EC-145 to the French Sécurité Civile

Nimes, France

Accompanied by Mr. Patrick Bellouard, the Director of the Aeronautical Programs Department, the Eurocopter Group President Mr. François Bigay symbolically presented Mr. Michel Sapin, the Director of the... more

HelicoptersAn EADS group firm delivers advanced avionics for Tiger

Friedrichschafen, Germany - Dornier GmbH will equip 160 helicopters

EADS European Aeronautic Defence and Space Company will equip the Franco-German combat helicopter "Tiger" with state-of-the-art avionics. Dornier GmbH, a group company of EADS, has received the order... more

HelicoptersREMSA becomes first MD Explorer engine upgrade customer

USA

The Regional Emergency Medical Services Authority (REMSA) of Reno, Nevada, has become the first customer to sign up for an MD Explorer engine upgrade program. Under the program, REMSA will retrofit... more

HelicoptersSypris to produce Apache electronic units

USA - A 35 USDm agreement

Sypris Electronics, a leader in complex electronics manufacturing services, today announced that it has received an additional $35 million contract from Honeywell Aerospace Electronic Systems for production... more

HelicoptersAir Methods looks for a aeromedical partner

Denver, USA

Air Methods Corporation announced that it has entered into a non-binding letter of intent to acquire a major air medical service provider. The letter of intent contemplates closing during the third... more

HelicoptersPalm Beach buys a new Bell helicopter

Palm breach, USA

Price for sheriff's Palm Beach County's newest crime-fighting machine leaps tall buildings in a single bound, seats seven, has a 379-mile range and a top speed of 153 mph. Cost to taxpayers: $2.6 million.... more

HelicoptersMethodist Medical Center uses private helicopters

Peoria, USA

THe Methodist Medical Center has signed a contract with a MedForce of Colona, a western Illinois company to ferry patients to the hospital by helicopter from smaller hospitals in the area. According Terry... more

HelicoptersAn helicopter procurement promise shelved by Australian government

West Australia

West Australia will not receive the search-and-rescue helicopter, which was promised by the government, which has shelved the procurement. Ten months after Police Minister Michelle Roberts made the pledge,... more

HelicoptersSikorsky will not propose its S-92 to Japan Navy competition

Stratford, Connecticut - Pino: "Is the best choice for Sikorsky"

Sikorsky Aircraft has announced that it has not submitted its S-92 medium-lift helicopter for consideration in an ongoing procurement of helicopters by the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Forces. "An analysis... more

HelicoptersA unmanned Osprey will conduct new flight test program

USA

Despite the Pentagon said enough improvements to the MV-22 Osprey have been made to justify resuming test flights next month, an unmanned testing of the aircraft is tentatively scheduled to begin the second... more

HelicoptersLess Tigers for French and Germany

London Great Britain - Is a public declaration of Jean-Francois Bigay, Eurocopter's CEO

Both France and Germany could buy a smaller number of Tiger attack helicopters than previously expected, according to Franco-German Eurocopter group chairman Jean-Francois Bigay. Both countries are expected... more

HelicoptersTechnology and flexibility by Honeywell Primus Epic System used on AB-139

USA

As the AB139 flight test program moves toward certification, Honeywell’s Primus Epic system has been on board, successfully logging over 320 flight hours on three aircraft and over 400 ground hours on a... more

HelicoptersGulf Helicopters goes in joint venture with Indian firms

Doha, Qatar

Gulf Helicopters, a wholly-owned subsidiary of state-run Qatar Petroleum, has formed a joint venture with three Indian firms to expand its operations in the Indian subcontinent, according to declarations... more

HelicoptersSikorsky: in flight again the military variant of S-92

West Palm Beach, Florida

Following major structural enhancements and systems upgrades, the first military variant of the S/H-92 family is back in flight test with additional gross weight capability, an extended main rotor shaft,... more

HelicoptersCertification of the AB-139 goes ahead

Cascina Costa, Varese, Italy - AgustaWestland new helicopter reached 320 test flight hours

As the AB139 test program moves forward on schedule, three AB139’s have now accumulated over 320 hours of flight time, while a fourth "Tie-Down Helicopter" has completed over 400 hours of en-gine and s... more

HelicoptersAtlantis receive contract by Westland

Montreal, Canada - It will produce Cormorant flight simulator

Atlantis Systems International, Inc., has been awarded a contract valued at over Cdn$3.8 million by Westland Helicopters Limited of the U.K.. The contract covers the supply of a Cockpit Procedures Trainer... more

HelicoptersDutch MDHI helicopter test started

Mesa, Arizona - Eight Explorers ordered

A Dutch National Police MD Explorer lifted off for the first time at MD Helicopters, Inc. in Mesa, Ariz. on March 26, launching a comprehensive flight test program that will culminate with delivery of... more

HelicoptersBell Helicopters and Malaysia Helicopter Service to open a new subsidiary

Subang, Malaysia - Is expected to be ready for the end of the year

Bell Helicopter and Malaysia Helicopter Service Sdn Bhd (MHS) will set up a regional customer service facility (CSF), in Subang airport, for the end of the year. The facility is aimed at providing a... more

HelicoptersAH-1Z And UH-1Y flight test program achieves major milestones

Washington, USA - Modernized version have high components commonality

The H-1 Upgrade Program will modify 100 UH-1N Huey and 180 AH-1W SuperCobra helicopters into highly sophisticated state-of-the-art aircraft with enormous commonality between both aircraft to enhance maintenance... more

HelicoptersCyprus receives ok for Mil Mi-26 purchase

Cyprus

According to a newspaper report, a Cypriot Justice Ministry committee will negotiate the price of the Russian giant helicopter Mil Mi-26 with the delegation of the Russian industry, for the acquisition... more

HelicoptersMexican Navy will use six MD Explorers against drug smugglers

Santiago, Cile - THe helicopters are heavily armed with machine-gun and rockets

Six armed MD Explorers and their trained crews are fully prepared to wreak havoc on drug traffickers operating in Mexican waters. The twin-engine MD Explorers are manufactured and supported by MD Helicopters,... more

HelicoptersDutch police on board of MD Explorer helicopters

Arizona, Usa - First test flights

Last March 26th the first MD Explorer aircraft destined to the Dutch National Police, took-off from Mesa MD Helicopters Inc. facilities, in Arizona. These tests will culminate in May with the final delivery... more

HelicoptersTurkey will lauch a new bid for helicopters

Ankara, Turkey - competition worth is 250 USDm

According to military sources, Turkey will launch, late this year or in early 2003, a new international tender worth nearly USD250m to buy eight heavy-lift helicopters to boost its Army's transport capabilities.... more

HelicoptersSikorsky: we don't had any competitor's information in the Irish competition

Dublin, Ireland - Declaration comes after Eurocopter's sue

In response to Eurocopter’s initiation of legal proceedings against it and the Irish government, Sikorsky has said it was "at no stage privy to any of our competitors' prices or any details o... more

HelicoptersEarthquake in Afghanistan: only air rescue teams reach hit area

Khabul, Afghanistan - Us war helicopters used in the operations

Northern Afghanistan, turned upside down by yesterday terrific earthquake, as far as roads have been destroyed, could be hardly reached via terrestrial links. Unites States and International coalition... more

HelicoptersUS Coast Guard ready to emit a competition for new anti-drug helicopters

USA - Is very important the experience made with Agusta A-109

According to a U.S. Coast Guard spokesman, it will release an competition specificaton to build a permanent fleet of drug busting helicopters by May or June, in order to have it ready, before the leasing... more

HelicoptersEurocopter invest 4 USDm for a new plant in Chile

French-German helicopter industry Eurocopter, a subsidiary of EADS, is investing USD4m to set up a new plant in Chile, that will provide repair & maintenance services to the domestic market and also... more

HelicoptersIsrael to buy 24 BlackHawk

Tel Aviv, Israel - The contract worth 212 USDm

The Israeli ministry of defense has decided to buy 24 Blackhawk helicopters from Sikorsky Aircraft for an order value of $211.8 million. The helicopters will be the S-55 A-70 model, and the first helicopter... more

HelicoptersLess problems for Apache's Hellfires

Washington, USA - "UK newspaper Daily Telegraph exaggerated risks"

According to a U.S,. Army spokesman, Apache Hellfire problems have been exaggerated by UK press. The Daily Telegraph said that the British Army’s new WAH-64 Apache Longbows cannot fire their Hellfire m... more

HelicoptersEurocopter sues Irish defense ministry

Dublin, Ireland - A unclear competition for new Irish helicopter

German-French helicopter industry Eurocopter has started legal action against the Irish Defence Minister, following the government's decision to assign to U.S. helicopter maker Sikorsky the victory for... more

HelicoptersUK Apaches experienced troubles with their Hellfires missiles

London, Great Britain - The helicopters and the missiles are U.S. made

Nine AH-64 Apache attack helicopters, in service in the UK Army, are not useable as the Hellfire missile, the main offensive weapon used by them, could provoke damage to the tail rotor with its ejection... more

HelicoptersAn unclear question in Irish helicopter deal

Dublin, Ireland - The position of the U.S. ambassador has to been defined

After that US firm Sikorsky was granted the Irish contract earlier this year, for the procurement of military helicopter for Irish defense, a deal worth 100 EURm, following a second tendering process by... more

HelicoptersThe Russian recover the gas helicopter project

Moscow, Russia - The first prototype was built in 1995

The Russian industry has entered the next phase in developing a prototype helicopter to use gas fuel to be the first in the world of its kind. In this project are involved the Moscow Mil Helicopter Plant... more

HelicoptersHAL interested to joint ventures for co-production of the new Indian light helicopter

New Delhi, India - The helicopter has been built by Hindustan Aeronautics

According to Hindustan Aeronautics Limited president, its firm in talks with private sector for co-production of ALH, Advanced Light Helicopter, and also plans to tap the export market for this new product. "We... more

HelicoptersNew Zealand to substitute all UH-1 Iroquois helicopters gearboxes

New Zealand - Decision taken after an accident in Timor

After an emergency landing of a UH-1 Iroquois helicopter of New Zealand Air Force, due to a gearbox failure, the government decided to change all gearboxes of these helicopters, at a cost of about 400.000... more

HelicoptersMalaysian fire department to buy two Agusta A-109 helicopters

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia - Order value in over 6 EURm

The Malaysian Fire and Rescue Department ordered two Agusta A-109 Power helicopters, from Italian industry Agusta, a company of AgustaWestland, at the cost of over 6 Eur million, to boost its search and... more

HelicoptersRussian television shows the new Rostvertol attack helicopters prototype

Moscow, Russia

The Rostvertol Russia helicopter plant has started manufacturing a new military attack helicopter called MI-28N Night Hunter. The Rostov helicopter plant has also decided to finance the production of... more

HelicoptersCoast Guard's Agusta helicopters record success

USA

Since the arrival of eight MH-68 helicopter gunships, a military variant of the Italian-made Agusta 109E to the U.S. Coast Guard, the first results against drug-laden speedboats bound for U.S. shores have... more

HelicoptersTen Mi-171 Helicopters will go to Malaysia

Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia

The President of Buryatia, Leonid Potapov, is taking part in the high level Russo-Malaysian negotiations taking place in Moscow. One of the questions being discussed at the meeting of the presidents of... more

HelicoptersIndia delivers its first light helicopter to coast guard

New Delhi, India - The helicopter has been built by Hindustan Aeronautics

India has delivered its first advanced light helicopter to the country's Coast Guard. The helicopters, designed and manufactured by state-owned Hindustan Aeronautics Limited (HAL) at a cost of 114 million... more

HelicoptersNew Comanche will be produced at Bridgeport

Stratford, Connecticut - It has been announced by Sikorsky

Bridgeport Site Selected for Initial COMANCHE Production STRATFORD, Ct., March 12, 2002 -- The Boeing-Sikorsky RAH-66 COMANCHE team has selected an industrial site in Bridgeport, Connecticut, for the... more