All articles by Dominic Perry – Page 17
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NewsBell pitches ‘purpose-built’ 505 trainer for US Army
Bell is proposing a “purpose-built” version of the 505 light-single for an emerging US Army requirement for a new training helicopter.
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NewsBell partners with Omni for 525 operational trial in Guyana
Bell will later this year begin an operational evaluation of its 525 Relentless in partnership with Omni Helicopters, as the airframer closes on certification for the long-running super-medium-twin.
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NewsLCI and Sumitomo joint venture snaps up rival rotorcraft lessor Macquarie
Leasing joint venture SMFL LCI Helicopters (SMFLH) is to acquire rival lessor Macquarie Rotorcraft for an undisclosed sum.
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In depthSmith continues rapid revolution as Robinson reveals R88
Robinson Helicopter has launched its first new aircraft for almost 15 years, unveiling plans for the R88, a range-topping $3.3 million turbine-powered single.
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NewsDassault’s Trappier pours cold water on prospects of FCAS and GCAP merger
Hopes that Europe’s two future fighter programmes could move closer together appear unlikely to be realised, with Dassault Aviation’s chief executive distancing his firm from any such proposal.
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NewsLeonardo and Baykar target development of armed UAVs for Europe
Leonardo and Baykar Technologies are to establish a joint venture focussed on the development of unmanned air vehicles integrated with the Italian company’s defence electronics payloads, with the latter’s 6t-class Akinci platform likely to be the first product offered to the market.
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NewsSafran maturing eTaxi system for future narrowbodies
Safran Landing Systems (SLS) is continuing to refine an electric-taxiing system for future narrowbody aircraft that it believes can cut block fuel burn by up to 4%.
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NewsFalcon 10X stays on track for 2027 service entry as first prototype comes together
Dassault Aviation’s ultra-long-range Falcon 10X business jet remains on track to hit a revised service-entry target in late 2027, but the French airframer is staying tight-lipped on when its maiden sortie will take place.
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NewsDassault chief Trappier outlines roadmap for F5-standard Rafale
Dassault Aviation’s planned F5-standard Rafale fighter will have more powerful engines, improved survivability and data links, and will be accompanied by an unmanned combat air vehicle (UCAV) weighing more than 10t, according to the French airframer’s chief executive.
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NewsNATO next-generation rotorcraft project entering ‘crucial phase’
A NATO project to develop and field a future military rotorcraft by the late 2030s is now entering a “crucial phase” as the nations driving the effort attempt to firm up the requirements for the platform.
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NewsNHI upbeat on 2025 order prospects for NH90 military helicopter
NH Industries (NHI) is eyeing the potential for several sizeable new orders this year from both new and existing operators.
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NewsInsider insists Lilium Jet would have gone the distance but for botched rescue
Certification of the Lilium Jet could easily have been achieved by late 2027 through the restructuring central to Lilium’s revival had the abortive rescue of the business not collapsed due to a lack of funding, according to a senior staff member.
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NewsAirbus Helicopters presses ahead with design of PioneerLab’s hybrid powertrain
Airbus Helicopters is aiming to complete preliminary design work on the hybridisation of its H145-based PioneerLab technology demonstrator by mid-year, keeping the rotorcraft on track to take flight in 2027 with a new low-emission powertrain installed.
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NewsAirbus Helicopters chief retains belief in UAM but justifies CityAirbus programme pause
Airbus Helicopters chief executive Bruno Even says he remains “convinced” of the potential for urban air mobility (UAM) vehicles despite backing away from the launch of a development programme due battery performance concerns.
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NewsUK Chinooks to take Cyprus firefighting role in place of retiring Pumas
The UK will deploy Royal Air Force (RAF) Boeing CH-47 Chinook helicopters to Cyprus this summer to backfill for the service’s Puma HC2s, which will be retired next month.
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NewsRolls-Royce doubles time-on-wing goal for in-production Trent engines
Rolls-Royce now expects to achieve an 80% time-on-wing improvement for all its in-production widebody engines by the end of 2027 – a significant increase over a previous 40% target.
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NewsHigher-power engines and new weapons proposed for future NH90 helicopter as Block 2 upgrade takes shape
NH Industries (NHI) will later in 2025 begin a two-year study analysing options for a future Block 2 upgrade for its NH90 helicopter, making it “more multirole, with teaming and strike capability,” and providing increased survivability.
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NewsAirbus Helicopters lines up twin-track approach to NATO next-generation rotorcraft concept studies
Airbus Helicopters will submit two concept studies to NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability project – a conventional high-speed helicopter and a design based around the airframer’s Racer compound technology.
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NewsBoeing to axe Little Bird once current production run ends
Boeing is likely to cease production of the AH-6i Little Bird once it completes deliveries of the light-attack helicopter to its sole remaining customer Thailand.
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NewsRussia lost over 100 attack helicopters in first two years of Ukraine war, study suggests
Analysis of open-source data suggests Russia lost over 100 attack helicopters during the first two years of the Ukraine war, a study carried out by a NATO agency has concluded.