Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
The US Navy’s first CAE-built full-motion MH-60R tactical operational trainer (TOFT) has been declared operational and has entered service.
The helicopter training system entered service at Naval Station (NS) Mayport, near Jacksonville, Florida, CAE announced on 1 February.
This follows the awarding of a contract to the company on 26 January for the development of two additional MH-60R TOFTs for the navy. CAE said the contract is worth some $44 million, and both simulators are expected to be delivered by 2014.
Additional options for two more of the TOFTs are included in the contract and, if exercised, could bring the total to $78 million.
As well as the full-motion model now active at NS Mayport, CAE has provided an additional fixed-base version to Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island, and one to NAS Jacksonville.
Along with the original contract signed in 2006, this new contract will ensure the delivery of seven MH-60R TOFTs, and two MH-60R avionics maintenance trainers to the navy.
CAE said the MH-60R TOFT includes an operational flight trainer, used to train pilots and co-pilots, as well as a weapons tactics trainer, used to train sensor operations in the MH-60R multi-mission helicopter. The two trainers can be networked and used in joint operations.
In addition to this, the full-motion version features a ‘six degree-of-freedom’ CAE True electric motion system, as well as motion seats to provide vibrations and motion cueing for enhanced realism. CAE said the True electric system provides more accurate and authentic cues for pilot training, and is more environmentally friendly than other motion systems.
By Shephard staff
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
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.