Helicopter Report

FlightGlobal takes a look at the latest product developments across the various segments of the helicopter market.

  • Arguably the most competitive part of the helicopter market, the light-single segment is, however, not necessarily blessed with the most modern designs. Nonetheless, new models are in development which will bring innovation to the sector.
  • While not selling in the same quantities as their lighter siblings, light-twin helicopters play a significant role in society, notably in law enforcement and emergency medical services missions.
  • Heading up the weight range means these medium-class helicopters are more capable but more complex – and come with a bigger price ticket. Despite this, there are big sellers in this category, alongside new entrants.
  • A few years ago there were many forecasts that the new super-medium-class helicopters would sell by the bucket-load. This has not quite come to pass, although those operating the rotorcraft in this weight class have used their performance benefits to push into new markets.
  • Heavy-twins sit at the top of each manufacturer’s range and while a downturn in oil and gas services has hurt sales in some cases, interest from the search and rescue operators has remained strong.

505-c-Bell

New models set to bring fresh competition to light-single helicopter segment

Arguably the most competitive part of the helicopter market, the light-single segment is, however, not necessarily blessed with the most modern designs. Nonetheless, new models are in development which will bring innovation to the sector.

Victoriafires09_credit Erickson Air-Crane

Helicopters: the crack troops of the war on wildfires

Rotorcraft are able to tackle forest blazes in a way fixed-wing aircraft can not. We look at what the various assets on the market can offer

Civil helicopter deliveries

The global helicopter market in numbers

A breakdown of the global in-service fleets across the civil and military helicopter markets, together with historic fleet and delivery trends.

H175-c-AirbusHelicopters

Slow-selling super-medium-class helicopters make modest headway

A few years ago there were many forecasts that the new super-medium-class helicopters would sell by the bucket-load. This has not quite come to pass, although those operating the rotorcraft in this weight class have used their performance benefits to push into new markets.

AW139-c-Leonardo

New arrivals in medium helicopter sector threaten the old order

Heading up the weight range means these medium-class helicopters are more capable but more complex – and come with a bigger price ticket. Despite this, there are big sellers in this category, alongside new entrants.

H135-c-AirbusHelicopters

Airbus dominates light-twin helicopter market with German-built duo

While not selling in the same quantities as their lighter siblings, light-twin helicopters play a significant role in society, notably in law enforcment and emergency medical services missions. 

Mi171-c-RussianHelicopters

Heavy-twin helicopters are dragged down by offshore slump

Heavy-twins sit at the top of each manufacturer’s range and while a downturn in oil and gas services has hurt sales in some cases, interest from the search and rescue operators has remained strong.

More helicopter news

Norwegian air ambulance-c-Airbus Helicopters

Norwegian Air Ambulance to take up to eight H145 helicopters

Norwegian Air Ambulance is to acquire more Airbus Helicopters H145 light-twins for fleet modernisation through a new framework agreement with the airframer.

Unmanned AW139_Image

Near Earth and Honeywell complete autonomous flight of AW139

Near Earth Autonomy, supported by Honeywell, is competing for the US Marine Corps’ Aerial Logistics Connector effort to explore options for uncrewed rotorcraft to support ship-to-shore logistics.

racer new front

Racer accelerates to latest speed goal as demonstrator hits full stride

Airbus Helicopters has hit the latest speed goal for its Racer demonstrator, with the compound rotorcraft achieving 240kt (444km/h) in level flight earlier in the spring.

Hughes YAH-64 in flight c Creative Commons

Boeing plans for modernised Apache 50 years after first flight

It’s been nearly 50 years since the Hughes YAH-64 prototype lifted off for the first time in September 1975 and Boeing is now looking at how to keep the iconic attack helicopter flying for another half-century.

Sikorsky rotor-blown wing

Sikorsky bets on advanced technology as UH-60 twilight looms

The pioneering rotorcraft manufacturer is looking to new product lines ahead of a looming decline in sales for the marquee UH-60 Black Hawk utility helicopter, as the US Army considers what is expected to be its final multi-year contract for the venerable type.

H175 snap-c-AAIB

Rotor brake failure left parked H175’s blades exposed to wind damage: AAIB

An Airbus Helicopters H175 parked on an oil platform had four main rotor blades snapped off in strong winds after a malfunctioning rotor brake left the crew unable to tie down the still-rotating blades, UK investigators have disclosed.

WEB_Sloane Leonardo-c-BillyPix

Sloane Helicopters extends Leonardo partnership and orders three more AW109 Trekkers

Leonardo Helicopters and UK and Ireland distributor Sloane Helicopters have celebrated their 30-year partnership by renewing their commercial agreement for another three years and unveiling a fresh order for three more AW109 Trekkers.

AW149

Malaysian military to field AW149s via major Leonardo/Weststar deal

Leonardo Helicopters is to provide up to 28 new rotorcraft to support a variety of missions for Malaysia’s armed forces and government agencies.

Robinson R66 c Ryan Finnerty

Robinson offers R66 to US Army as new trainer

With the announcement that the US Army is seeking a no-frills, single-engined trainer to replace the Airbus UH-72 Lakota, American airframer Robinson sees a major opportunity to expand into the defence business.

Thales AS350B2 demonstrator c RF

Watch: Thales shows off all-phase autopilot for H125 helicopter

After certificating a full-mission autopilot for the Airbus Helicopters AS350 light-single helicopter, French avionics manufacturer Thales leased one of the rotorcraft and converted it into a test asset for developing new military mission systems.