Latest Defence Helicopters news – Page 18
-
NewsBell begins electrical upgrades to USMC H-1 fleet with eye toward future weapons
The Structural Improvement Electrical Power Upgrade for Bell UH-1Y Venom utility and AH-1Z attack helicopters will increase each aircraft’s electrical power capacity to support the integration of additional weapon systems and cabin capabilities.
-
NewsNorth Macedonia signs almost €250m contract for Leonardo military helicopters
North Macedonia has finalised a contract to acquire four Leonardo Helicopters AW149s and the same number of AW169Ms, with deliveries to start in 2026.
-
In depthCongress gives extra $3bn to Pentagon for aircraft procurement
Six months behind schedule, lawmakers in Washington have agreed to a spending plan for the US military that includes new P-8 maritime patrol jets from Boeing, more Combat Rescue Helicopters from Sikorsky and over $2 billion for a sixth-generation fighter programme.
-
NewsGreece welcomes first MH-60Rs and eyes approval for Black Hawk buy
Greece has inaugurated its first three of seven Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk maritime helicopters into naval service.
-
AnalysisHow combat helicopter losses in Ukraine brought down US Army’s FARA strategy
Washington is renewing its investment in current rotorcraft platforms instead of funding a high-speed armed scout – but do lessons from the war in Ukraine support its decision?
-
NewsCroatia to take another eight Black Hawks
Croatia has ordered another eight Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawks, adding to four examples already in service.
-
NewsEurope plans flight tests as part of future military rotorcraft research
European defence officials are calling for a series of flight and ground demonstrations in the coming years of technologies to equip a future rotorcraft for service entry in the 2030s.
-
NewsLeonardo mulls future for legacy helicopter platforms under updated industrial plan
Leonardo appears to be keeping all options open – including potential divestments – in relation to certain of its legacy helicopter programmes.
-
NewsUK to proceed with at-risk Chinook purchase following cost reduction
The UK Ministry of Defence will continue with its planned acquisition of 14 extended-range CH-47 Chinook transport helicopters from Boeing, after agreeing a significant price reduction from Washington.
-
NewsBell extends H-1 production with $455m attack helicopter order from Nigeria
The US rotorcraft manufacturer finalised a contract to provide the Nigerian air force with 12 of the latest AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters.
-
NewsMBDA boosted by European spike in air-defence system demand
MBDA secured contracts worth €9.9 billion ($10.8 billion) last year, with increased demand for air-defence equipment dominating its business.
-
NewsLeonardo chief eyes synergies from ‘wide-ranging’ tiltrotor pact with Bell
Leonardo’s chief executive has hinted at a potentially deeper relationship with Bell on military tiltrotor applications following a recent pact between the pair.
-
NewsBoeing MH-139 nuclear security helicopter begins operational service
An operational US Air Force unit has for the first time received one of the new Grey Wolf helicopters which will replace the Bell UH-1N in supporting physical security at the service’s nuclear-armed intercontinental ballistic missile silos.
-
In depthPentagon to resume Osprey flights, despite unanswered questions around fatal crash
Although the US military now knows what caused the fatal crash of a Bell-Boeing V-22 tiltrotor last November, the airworthiness authority for the type still does not know why the deadly failure occurred, even as it plans to restart flight operations.
-
NewsWork starts on Portuguese navy helicopter/UAV-carrier vessel
Damen Shipyards has begun work on a new multi-role maritime platform that will enable the Portuguese navy to conduct tasks including the operation of embarked helicopters and unmanned air vehicles (UAVs).
-
NewsQatar marks operational hours milestone with NH90 fleet
Leonardo and the Qatar Emiri Air Force have marked an early milestone in the service’s employment of the NH Industries NH90 rotorcraft.
-
NewsIndia set to commission MH-60R into navy service
India’s anti-submarine warfare (ASW) capabilities are set to receive a boost with the imminent entry into naval service of the Sikorsky MH-60R Seahawk multi-role helicopter.
-
NewsAustralian NH90 parts delivery to transform NHI’s in-service support offering
NH Industries (NHI) expects to receive the first parts sourced from Australia’s retired fleet of NH90 helicopters around mid-year, while multiple of the type’s users have signed up to a new support model.
-
NewsAce Aeronautics targets growing market for upgraded Black Hawks
Alabama-based aircraft upgrade specialist Ace Aeronautics sees increasing international demand for its upgrade programme for legacy Sikorsky Black Hawks from both civil and military operators.
-
NewsBritish Army to complete Apache fleet transition in March
The British Army will in late March conduct its final flights with the legacy Apache AH1 attack helicopter, while also declaring a formal transfer of readiness to Boeing’s new-generation AH-64E.