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.
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.
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
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.
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.
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.
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.
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
DLR-led STAR project shines light on performance boost from ‘active twisting’ rotor blades
German researchers believe the addition of active twisting technology to helicopter main rotor blades can significantly improve performance while also cutting noise and vibration levels.
HeliOffshore picks Duncan Trapp as new chair as organisation continues safety push
Global rotorcraft safety organisation HeliOffshore has appointed industry veteran Duncan Trapp as its new chair-elect, to succeed incumbent Bill Chiles from April.
Strong year for H160 helicopter as 2025 orders point to parity with rival AW139
Airbus Helicopters’ H160 achieved order parity with the Leonardo AW139 in the civil and parapublic market last year as the new medium-twin contender gained traction against the segment’s long-term leader.
Brazilian probe into H160 helicopter ditching points to fatigue failure of main rotor part
Brazilian investigators have disclosed the sequence of events that led to the ditching of an Airbus Helicopters H160 off the coast of Brazil in early January, although are yet to reach a conclusion for the fatigue failure of a critical part of the main rotor assembly.
Proteus autonomous helicopter takes flight for Royal Navy
Leonardo Helicopters has performed the first flight of the Proteus autonomous rotorcraft technology demonstrator it has developed for the UK Royal Navy.
Ghana becomes latest customer for H175M helicopter with two-unit order
Airbus Helicopters has secured another customer for its H175M – the military version of its super-medium-twin – with Ghana ordering two multirole-configured examples.
Matthieu Louvot takes top job at Airbus Helicopters as Bruno Even leaves after eight-year stint
Bruno Even has stepped down as chief executive of Airbus Helicopters, effective from 1 April, to be replaced by Matthieu Louvot, currently executive vice-president for strategy at the wider Airbus group.
‘Significant vibrations’ preceded H160 Brazil ditching, preliminary investigations reveal
The pilots of an Airbus Helicopters H160 that ditched off the coast of Brazil on 2 January opted for the emergency landing after detecting “significant vibrations in flight”, the manufacturer has disclosed.
Safety probe begins after H160 helicopter ditches off Brazilian coast
Investigations are under way after an Airbus Helicopters H160 operated by Omni Taxi Aereo was forced to ditch off the coast of Brazil.
HAL conducts maiden flight of Dhruv NG civilian helicopter
Hindustan Aeronautics has flown an upgraded civilian variant of its 5.5t Dhruv Advanced Light Helicopter, powered by locally developed engines and featuring enhanced safety systems.