Latest Defence Helicopters news
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NewsAirbus Helicopters trains sights on Lakota cost and complexity claims
Airbus Helicopters has hit back at suggestions that its twin-engined UH-72A Lakota is too sophisticated and too expensive to deliver training for the US Army, arguing that there are more cost-effective means to improve outcomes than fleet replacement.
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NewsLeonardo Helicopters wins Merlin support contract extension
Leonardo Helicopters has been awarded an extension of up to two years on its support contract for the UK Royal Navy’s 54-strong AW101 Merlin rotorcraft.
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NewsHAL revenue holds steady despite Tejas, Dhruv travails
Indian airframer Hindustan Aeronautics (HAL) generated revenue of INR304 billion ($3.6 billion) in the 12 months to 31 March, flat against the previous year.
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NewsIndia orders 156 Light Combat Helicopters, to lease KC-135
New Delhi has ordered 156 attack helicopters from Hindustan Aeronautics, as well as contracted an air-to-air tanker.
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NewsRAF waves last Puma transport helicopters into retirement
The UK Royal Air Force (RAF) has performed a series of farewell flights with its last Puma HC2 transport helicopters, as the veteran type bows out after almost 54 years of service.
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News‘Clearly, something was missed’: FAA administrator flags alarming data before DC collision
Sitting administrator Chris Rocheleau acknowledges that the Federal Aviation Administration missed alarming data trends in the years leading up to the collision of an American Airlines regional jet and a military helicopter near Washington, DC’s Ronald Reagan National airport.
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NewsCounter-drone testing interfered with commercial flights at Reagan National
Counter-drone testing performed by the Secret Service and US Navy triggered faulty traffic warnings for commercial aircraft on approach to Washington, DC’s Ronald Reagan National airport, congressional testimony revealed on 27 March.
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NewsUS Army adds five more MH-47G Chinooks to remanufacturing effort
Boeing has been awarded a $240 million contract to remanufacture another five MH-47G Block II Chinook rotorcraft for the US Army Special Operations Aviation Command.
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NewsLisbon eyeing mid-life upgrade for AW101 helicopters
Portugal is eyeing a mid-life upgrade for its air force fleet of Leonardo Helicopters AW101s, as the type approaches 20 years in operational service for the nation.
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NewsAustralia’s Tiger attack helicopters enter their twilight years
The Airbus Helicopters Tiger attack helicopter is likely to serve for just under three more years with the Australian army before being fully retired.
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NewsSikorsky ramps up Australian military helicopter deliveries
The Australian Defence Force is expanding its combined fleet of Sikorsky rotorcraft, including naval MH-60R Seahawks for the navy and land-based UH-60 Black Hawks for the army.
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NewsAustralia gears up to receive first Apaches in late 2025
The Australian army is gearing up to operate the Boeing AH-64E Apache attack helicopter, with first deliveries expected by the end
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NewsAustralia shows off new UH-60M at Avalon air show
The Australian army is displaying its new Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter at the Avalon air show for the first time.
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NewsSurion military, parapublic operators to cooperate more closely
South Korean operators of the Korea Aerospace Industries KUH-1 Surion helicopter will work more closely on sustainment and development of the rotorcraft, with an eye to developing the platform and coordinating acquisitions.
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NewsUSA clears APKWS sale to Saudi Arabia
The US government has cleared the possible sale of 2,000 Advanced Precision Kill Weapons Systems (APKWS) to Saudi Arabia.
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NewsLanding UAV destroys parked South Korean Surion
A South Korean army helicopter was destroyed when an unmanned air vehicle (UAV) crashed into it while attempting to land.
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NewsExpanding Ace Aeronautics targets backlog boost from new orders
Reconditioned Black Hawk specialist Ace Aeronautics is gearing up for significant expansion as it lines up multiple new orders – including another unit for repeat customer Ukraine.
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NewsEurope must not rely on USA for future military rotorcraft needs, Leonardo Helicopters chief argues
Leonardo Helicopters’ managing director Gian Piero Cutillo believes it would not be “convenient for Europe” to buy military tiltrotors direct from the USA rather than developing its own capability if nations decide the architecture best meets their future rotorcraft requirements.
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NewsSafran pushes power limits higher in pursuit of next-generation military rotorcraft needs
Safran Helicopter Engines is deep into the initial stages of multiple separate projects to expand the upper limits of its military turboshaft range, pushing power output well beyond the current 3,000shp (2,240kW) maximum.
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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.
