Defence Helicopter
Advanced Avionics (sponsored)
Mark Burnand, Chief Test Pilot at Leonardo Helicopters UK, talks through the advanced avionics on board the latest generation battlefield utility AW149 helicopter.
Read the latest military helicopter news from our team of expert journalists and analysts, giving you the 'so what' behind the latest military rotorcraft headlines.
Australia has decided to withdraw its MRH90 helicopter fleet, even though the aircraft had another 14 years of life left in them.
From its emergence as a ground-breaking design in the 1950s to its widespread deployment in diverse operations worldwide, the Chinook continues to leave an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Shephard sums up the latest developments and tells you everything you need to know about the workhorse of many armies and air forces in the 2020s.
'For us, it’s building helicopters, not just assembling. It’s not only about NMH but about enduring social value in terms of exports from the UK,' Leonardo UK told Shephard at DSEI 2023.
According to multiple OSINT sources, Russian forces have lost possibly as many as 200 rotary-wing aircraft since February 2022. Some of these occurred in early high-profile operations, but most have been attrition casualties during the ongoing fighting. Shephard analyses the nature of these losses, and what lessons NATO attack helicopter operators should draw.
Mark Burnand, Chief Test Pilot at Leonardo Helicopters UK, talks through the advanced avionics on board the latest generation battlefield utility AW149 helicopter.
The Chinook has served in every RAF campaign of the past 40 years. But in Afghanistan, it faced greater pressure than ever before.
25th September 2023
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
14th September 2023
The design selected for the Rotary Wing Uncrewed Autonomous System is best suited for maritime operations.
13th September 2023
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
12th September 2023
Airbus Helicopters and KAI have agreed a contract covering the supply of helicopter components for the latter over the next decade.
11th September 2023
The Canadian Commercial Corporation (CCC) is has been awarded an indefinite-delivery indefinite-quantity (IDIQ) contract by the US DoD to provide a high-lift heliporter designed and manufactured by Dart Aerospace to the USN.
6th September 2023
A special fund of $10 billion will cover Brazil's acquisition of combat vehicles, aircraft and helicopters, building new warships and submarines and modernisation of legacy systems.
4th September 2023
The Indonesian military has turned its sights on S-70M Black Hawk helicopters, with the service never having bought platforms from Sikorsky before.
1st September 2023
Longbow LLC and Lockheed Martin have received new contracts to supply Longbow fire control radars to Australia, and refurbish US Army Target Acquisition Designation Sight/Pilot Night Vision Sensor (TADS/PNVS) equipment. Both systems equip the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
28th August 2023
Moog has been placed under contract by Bell Textron to supply flight control content for the US Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA), the Bell V-280 Valor.
25th August 2023
The USN has awarded Sikorsky a $2.7 billion contract for the production and delivery of 35 CH-53K King Stallion helicopters, split between the USMC and Israel, with deliveries expected to start in 2026.
24th August 2023
Two Sikorsky S-92A helicopters have been delivered to the Falkland Islands, providing an upgraded support helicopter capability for British Forces South Atlantic Islands (BFSAI) through improved reliability and operational capabilities.
23rd August 2023
Poland is poised to enhance its military might through acquiring AH-64 Apache attack helicopters from the US.
22nd August 2023
The US Army has awarded Airbus a $27.8 million contract to modernise the Army National Guard Security & Support Battalion Mission Equipment Package (MEP).
18th August 2023
The Czech Republic has taken delivery of its first AH-1Z Vipers as part of a partnership with the USMC H-1 Light/Attack Helicopter programme.
15th August 2023
The army is interested in procuring C2, EW, ISR and communication solutions as well as helicopters. It also plans to invest in AI, automation and 3D printing as well as in bio, cyber and quantum technologies.
15th August 2023
Somalia's counter-insurgency against Al-Shabaab receives a mysterious boost as Bell 412 helicopters and weaponry surface.
8th August 2023
Leonardo has delivered the first of four AW101 Merlin maritime helicopters to Poland.
8th August 2023
The aircraft carrying out hot weather tests in Spain represents the second iteration of the AW249 NEES Fenice attack helicopter.
8th August 2023
Sikorsky has been extremely rapid in delivering Black Hawks to Australia, with the first two already handed over.