December flight campaign helps VSR-700 towards next test milestone
France has now accumulated more than 240 flight hours across 160 sorties with the VSR-700 unmanned air vehicle (UAV) demonstrator developed by Airbus Helicopters, as it prepares for its final series of shipborne tests later this year.
Textron confident Bell’s FLRAA win will survive Lockheed challenge
The parent company of helicopter manufacturer Bell is confident the company’s win in the US Army’s Future Long Range Assault Aircraft contest will be upheld, amid a challenge from competitor Lockheed Martin.
Airbus Helicopters confident on Broughton’s abilities if picked to build Puma replacement
Airbus Helicopters maintains there is no need to produce a ‘proof-of-concept’ H175M at its proposed Broughton assembly line for the super-medium-twin as it chases a key contract from the UK.
Airbus insists Tiger MkIII upgrade is not ‘at risk’ amid signs of faltering French support
Airbus Helicopters remains confident that France will continue to back the MkIII upgrade of the Tiger attack helicopter, despite media reports that Paris is seriously considering scaling back the programme due to budget constraints.
Guardia di Finanza takes first skid-equipped AW169M
Italy’s Guardia di Finanza law-enforcement body has received its first of an eventual six skid-equipped Leonardo Helicopters AW169Ms.
Sikorsky delivers 5,000th Black Hawk, with potential for new US orders
The milestone comes as the US Army is beginning its transition toward replacing the venerable UH-60 platform, which it has selected Bell to produce.
Leonardo bolsters AW169M backlog with Austrian deal
Italy’s defence ministry has contracted Leonardo Helicopters to supply 18 AW169Ms to Austria after the Alpine nation in December doubled its order for the medium-twin rotorcraft.
Australia confirms order for 40 UH-60Ms with deliveries starting in 2023
Australia confirms that it will obtain 40 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, with deliveries to commence this year.
Jolly Green II rescue helicopter records first battlefield casualty evacuation
The US Air Force’s new Sikorsky HH-60W dedicated combat search and rescue helicopter logged its first operational casualty evacuation in the Horn of Africa in December.
NATO next-generation helicopter programme kicks off concept phase as Canada waits to join
A group of NATO nations are gearing up for a busy 2023 as they oficially begin work in earnest to define the characteristics of a next-generation medium-class helicopter that could enter service in the late 2030s.