Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has transferred to defense electronics firm Aselsan an S-70i Black Hawk helicopter for use as the prototype aircraft for the Turkish Utility Helicopter Program (TUHP). The aircraft will enable Sikorsky to integrate an Aselsan-developed avionics suite into the Republic of Turkey's new T70 utility helicopter, and later into Turkish-built Sikorsky S-...
Robinson Helicopter Company announced FAA approval of a new Inlet Barrier Filter (IBF) for use in R66 Turbine helicopters. Developed specifically for the R66 by Donaldson Aerospace & Defense, the optional IBF provides added protection for engines operating in dusty environments. A standard air filter uses a foam filter element while the recently-approved IBF employs a high-efficiency, flexi...
Boeing unveiled its MH-139 helicopter in the competition to replace the U.S. Air Force’s UH-1N “Huey” fleet, which currently protects intercontinental ballistic missiles and transports U.S. government and security forces. Boeing’s response to the Air Force, revealed at the Air Force Association Air Warfare Symposium, is based on the market-leading Leonardo Helicopters AW...
NHV Group and Airbus Helicopters are pleased to announce that NHV’s H175 fleet has logged its first 10,000 flight hours. This significant milestone proves this super-medium-sized rotorcraft’s capabilities and reliability in highly demanding operations, especially the transportation of personnel and supplies to offshore oil and gas platforms. The 10,000 hours have been accumulated by...
QinetiQ has signed a deal for four Airbus H125 helicopters as part of its modernisation of the Empire Test Pilots’ School (ETPS), which it manages alongside the UK’s Ministry of Defence (MOD). Worth approximately £15 million, the deal will see Airbus Helicopters’ UK design team upgrade the Garmin G500-equipped aircraft with, among other capabilities, a 3-axis autopilot,...
Russian Helicopters has launched production of the advanced Mil Mi-172A2 (NATO reporting name: Hip) multirole helicopter, Director General Andrei Boginsky said at the IDEX 2017 international arms show. "The Mi-172A2 helicopter has entered production. Four machines are slated for production this year," he said. The Mi-172A2 is the latest addition to the Mi-8/17 family. The aircraft has...
Bell Helicopter announces its show plans for the world’s largest helicopter trade show and exposition, HELI-EXPO 2017. The annual trade show, hosted by the Helicopter Association International (HAI), will be held at the Kay Bailey Hutchison Convention Center in Dallas, Texas. Be sure to follow along the week of activities at [bh.com/hai]Bell Helicopter’s Heli-Expo event page....
Airbus Helicopters has received an order from the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) to retrofit 26 CH-53 heavy transport helicopters. This contract will cover obsolescence management for components that are no longer available on the market and will begin by replacing them with up-to-date parts. This retrofit will guarantee the helic...
Russian Helicopters, part of State Corporation Rostec, is implementing a number of after-sales service projects in the African and Near Eastern countries. Based on 2016 numbers, 43.5% of all after-sales services and aviation inventory provided by Russian Helicopters to foreign customers fell onto these regions, based on fulfilled contracts. Russian Helicopters is implementing advanc...
India’s Hindustan Aeronautics Limited and Russian defence firms have finalised the Joint Venture agreement to produce light weight multi-role 'Kamov 226T' helicopters in India. The document is awaiting formal registration with relevant bodies in the respective countries which is likely to take another "month or two", a top Russian defence executive was quoted as saying b...
The US helicopter manufacturer Bell Helicopter expects to clinch a deal with the UAE military this year as it expands its military business outside the home ground. The Texas-based company that has as its major client the US government, has supplied Bell 412 and Bell 212 models to Abu Dhabi Aviation, which uses 44 of its helicopters. "We have a lot of interest in the [Arabian] Gulf and...
This month marks 50 years since the BO105 embarked on its maiden flight, on 16 February 1967, in Ottobrunn near Munich. Conceived as a two-tonne-class light multi-purpose helicopter, cutting-edge technologies and materials led to the BO105 being the first helicopter to feature a rigid, hingeless rotor head made of titanium and glass-fibre-reinforced rotor blades. “The BO105 has made a nam...
