Leonardo Helicopters’ Proteus demonstrator poised to make first flight for UK Royal Navy
Leonardo Helicopters has edged a step closer to flying its AW09-based Proteus technology demonstrator for the UK Royal Navy, with the unmanned aircraft having successfully undergone its first ground runs.
US clears support sales for Bahrain F-16s and Saudi helicopters
The US Defense Security Cooperation Agency has cleared potential foreign military sales worth $1.45 billion, including $1 billion for Saudi Arabian helicopter spares and training services, plus $445 million for Bahrain F-16 fighter sustainment.
How the Ukraine war has (and has not) changed the helicopter’s role in combat
Significant Russian helicopter losses in the early months of the Russia-Ukraine war have led many to proclaim the end of rotary-wing aviation in combat, but a former US Army general and Bell executive argues it was just bad tactics and poor planning.
UK concludes Carrier Strike Group deployment, declaring full operational capability for NATO
Aircraft embarked aboard Royal Navy vessels during the UK’s recently concluded Carrier Strike Group 25 deployment logged more than a combined 2,500 sorties, the service says.
Poland takes first domestically built AW149 battlefield helicopter
Poland has received the first of 22 AW149 multi-role helicopters to be made domestically by Leonardo Helicopters subsidiary PZL Swidnik.
India signs Rs80 billion support deal for MH-60R helicopters
New Delhi has finalised a five-year, Rs80 billion sustainment package for its Sikorsky MH-60R naval warfare helicopters through the US Foreign Military Sales programme.
Australia commences flight operations with new Apache helicopters
The Australian army has started flight operations with its new Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopters from Townsville, marking a significant milestone in the service’s battlefield aviation capability upgrade.
Boeing lands $4.6bn Apache attack helicopter order for Poland, Kuwait and Egypt
Boeing has secured a $4.6 billion international order for AH-64E Apache attack helicopters that includes 96 aircraft for Poland and an unspecified number for Kuwait and Egypt.
Boeing secures $271m order for MH-47G special operations Chinooks
Boeing’s vertical lift division has secured an $271 million contract from the US Special Operations Command for MH-47G special operations rotorcraft, likely covering around 18 aircraft based on previous pricing.
NGRC project reveals concept studies, including high-speed compound rotorcraft and 17t tiltrotor
Concepts submitted to a NATO-led effort to develop a next-generation military rotorcraft include a 17t tiltrotor and two compound designs – including an apparent adaptation of Airbus’s Racer architecture – alongside two conventional helicopters.