.Airbus and European partners demonstrate collaboration between helicopters and unmanned systems

Airbus Helicopters and its partners have conducted a full scale demonstration of a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) system developed as part of a project funded by the European Union and code-named MUSHER. The demonstration took place in France and Italy from 30 September to 9 October and involved multiple manned helicopters and unmanned systems connected to a single MUM-T network. 

"Operating helicopters and unmanned aerial systems in concert provides valuable additional mission capabilities such as increased situational awareness with UAS sharing video in real time for improved decision-making, all while preserving critical assets and resources," said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. "The success of the MUSHER demonstration is a major step forward for our ambition at Airbus which is to field MUM-T capabilities by bringing European industrial know-how together for the benefit of military and civil customers," he added.

The experiment was led by Airbus, which deployed the H130 FlightLab as a manned platform and the VSR700 unmanned aerial system (UAS) on a DGA test range. Meanwhile, Leonardo performed the demonstration with a helicopter and an optionally piloted vehicle. Thales, coordinator of the MUSHER project, provided a supervision station and a mission debriefing station. Space Applications Services was in charge of the mission preparation station. Indra led simulation activities in preparation for the demonstration, while ONERA provided studies on crew workload. 

The MUSHER demonstration consisted of various scenarios involving the different aircraft flying simultaneously in France and in Italy. The missions were based on concepts of operations defined by the ministries of defense of France, Italy and Spain. One scenario, for example, showcased UAS and manned helicopters for an anti-piracy mission.  The UAS was initially conducting a surveillance mission. Once it spotted suspicious activity on a boat, the manned helicopter joined the scene and took full control of the UAS in preparation for an intervention.

 

The in-flight testing aimed at demonstrating levels of interoperability (LOI) 2 to 4, from direct receipt of UAS data by the manned helicopters and the ground station, to the control and monitoring of the UAS from the helicopters. The demonstration also served to prove that manned helicopters and UAS from different companies and different countries, operating in distant areas, could be integrated within a single MUM-T system. 

MUSHER is a project launched in the frame of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) launched by the European Commission in December 2021. The project aims at developing a generic European MUM-T system that can operate robustly in multiple environments (civil, military or mixed), whilst reducing the crew’s workload and delivering maximum capacity in operation.  

 

Two Airbus H175 helicopters set to soar in Australia with PHI

Two Airbus H175 helicopters have officially entered service with PHI Aviation in Australia, supporting their offshore energy transportation, search and rescue and medical evacuation operations.

PHI, which has pioneered many firsts over its 75-year history, operates bases in Broome, Darwin and Exmouth, Australia. The new H175 helicopters will be based out of Broome, with additional H175s expected to join the fleet in the coming months.

“These state-of-the-art aircraft are a significant addition to our growing fleet in Australia. They elevate our operational capabilities while reinforcing our commitment to sustainable innovation and delivering world-class service to our clients,” said Cory Latiolais, PHI Aviation Chief Operating Officer, Asia Pacific.

“We are pleased to support our long-term customer PHI Aviation with delivery of the H175 helicopters for their current Australian fleet. The high performance of the H175 aircraft in the challenging Western Australian environment is an excellent addition for the PHI Aviation fleet, especially with their focus on search and rescue operations, and marine transfers,” said Christian Venzal, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Australia and New Zealand.

Boeing completes first flight of Thailand’s first AH-6 Little Bird Helicopter

The first of eight Boeing AH-6 Little Bird light attack helicopters for the Royal Thai Army completed a successful first flight Aug. 22 at the company’s Mesa, Ariz. site.

“With its superior performance and flexible, easily configurable mission equipment, the Little Bird packs enormous versatility into a small, combat-proven package to get the job done,” said Christina Upah, vice president of Attack Helicopter Programs and senior Boeing Mesa site executive. “We are proud to partner with the U.S. Army to provide Thailand with these critical defence capabilities, and we look forward to supporting training for the first Thai Little Bird pilots in the near future.”

After completing Thailand’s fleet, Boeing will train the Royal Thai Army pilots at its Mesa site and at U.S. Army Yuma Proving Ground, where they will learn to operate the Little Bird and leverage its versatile mission capabilities.

The Royal Thai Army has procured the AH-6 as part of its ongoing efforts to enhance aviation readiness and modernize national defence capabilities. Featuring a purpose-built military fuselage, integrated cockpit, and the latest fully integrated weapons, the AH-6 was designed for a wide range of missions and operating environments to meet customers’ needs around the world.

Boeing was awarded a contract by the U.S. Department of Defense as part of a Foreign Military Sales order for eight Little Birds in February 2022, which includes spares, training devices, support equipment, and technical publications for the Thailand customer.

Boeing will also train the Royal Thai Army pilots to leverage the aircraft’s mission capabilities once the fleet is complete

Life begins at 40: Airbus Helicopters celebrates four decades in Canada

Celebrating the 40th anniversary of its presence in Canada, Dwayne Charette, President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada explains why adaptability, customer focus and Airbus’ global reach has seen the support offered by the site go from strength to strength – and this is only the beginning.  

Since opening in 1984, the Airbus Helicopters site in Fort Erie, Canada continues to evolve to address the dynamic helicopter market. “Originally the facility was established as a final assembly line (FAL) for the Bo105,” notes President of Airbus Helicopters in Canada, Dwayne Charette, “but I would say the strength of the facility in Canada is our ability to be flexible and adapt.” 

During the last 40 years, the site has evolved to support a growing in-service fleet and the unique missions that require a “Made in Canada” solution, with the addition of Composite Manufacturing, and Dynamic Component Repair (DCR). Also responsible for in-service support, a continuous and strong focus on the customer has underpinned the successful integration of this diverse portfolio of activity, as Charette explains “it’s all about keeping them flying. Our customers fly critical missions, whether it’s emergency medical services, airborne law enforcement, the firefighting that’s been going on in Western Canada or many others. Our connection and the proximity to the customers has ‘fuelled’ our ability to adapt and become what we are today. It’s really about being global but having a local footprint. Which ultimately is all about proximity to the customer.” 

Willing and maple

Beyond providing support for 228 Canadian customers who operate over 760 helicopters, Airbus Helicopters in Canada occupies a key role in the company’s supply chain. “Everything that we make for composites, we’re the sole source for Airbus Helicopters’ platforms, worldwide. For Dynamic Component Repair, we are the centre of excellence for the group, for light helicopter single-engine gearboxes. All these different business lines make Airbus Helicopters Canada unique because it is quite rare to find all these activities in a customer centre.”

Charette believes they play an important role in ensuring customers have a voice. “When we look at what our customers do here in Canada, not everything we do is different, but there is some uniqueness to it,” he notes. “For example, the geographies of where our customers operate can be very different. So, we’re able to bring the customer’s concerns, their voice, their needs, address what we can, what we can’t, then obviously, we’re able to bring that message back to the group as well.”

One example of responding to a customer requirement was a particular EMS operator who had purchased a number of H145s. Although huge numbers of H145 helicopters fly EMS missions worldwide, not all of them operate in the same temperatures as can be found in the Canadian winter. “Operating in Western Canada, occasionally we needed to improve the heating system that would respond to the -40°C temperatures,” notes Charette. “That was something that we were able to design and do here. We gave that feedback to the group and I know there was at least one other customer in a northern climate who actually ended up purchasing that STC.” 

FACTs and figures 

Conservationists took to sea and air to check the wellbeing of Thames seals with the help of the RAF

Conservationists took to sea and air to check the wellbeing of Thames seals ahead of global summits for nature. 

The latest seal survey by international conservation charity ZSL reveals that almost 600 harbour and 3,000 grey seals now call the Thames Estuary home – highlighting the importance of the iconic river for these doe-eyed, native species.   

ZSL has monitored the grey and harbour seal populations in the Greater Thames Estuary since 2013. This year’s count, completed by teaming up with military helicopter pilots from RAF Shawbury, revealed how these two important apex species are doing.   

“During the 2024 seal survey, we counted 431 harbour seals and 714 grey seals laying out on sandbanks along the Thames. By combining these with the number of seals estimated to stay in the water during the counts, we can estimate that there are a total of 599 harbour seals and 2,988 grey seals."

Hannah McCormick

Zoological Society of London

Hannah McCormick, who led the survey, said, "These numbers are key to helping us understand how these two species are doing – alongside feeding into our understanding of how seals across the country are faring and giving us a glimpse at the important habitat the estuary provides. A flourishing ecosystem has enough food, shelter and space for all of its inhabitants, and although we still have a way to go in terms of improving the health of this important habitat, as top predators, this seal population show us that there is good habitat available to the species that call the Thames home."

Taking to the air and sea, the team conducted the surveys by both observing the seals from boats along the estuary and joining training flights with RAF Shawbury’s No 1 Flying Training School to cover the Greater Thames Estuary coastline and sandbanks between Suffolk and Kent.   

“Seals are playful but shy creatures, so using a long-range lens to take photos from a distance allows us to maximise our counting accuracy while also minimising any disturbance – helping us build the strongest possible understanding of how these native species are faring in the Thames, and highlighting the importance of protecting this ecosystem.”  

Hannah McCormick

Supported by No 1 Flying Training School and St. Andrew’s Sea Mammal Research Unit, the count was completed over several days in August during the moulting season for the harbour seals. Over the course of these weeks, the seals spend much of their day basking on the estuary’s sandbanks, making it easier for the survey team to spot them.  

"The RAF and MOD are delighted and proud to have been able to contribute to a conservation project of such significant scientific importance. Supporting the ZSL project has provided a unique opportunity for military helicopter aircrew to develop core and niche skills which will further benefit Royal Navy, British Army and Royal Air Force staff and students who train at the world-leading No 1 Flying Training School.”    

Group Captain Andy Baron 

Commandant of No 1 Flying Training School, RAF Shawbury

The information gathered by the survey will feed into St Andrew’s Sea Mammal Research Unit’s database, working to understand the status of seals across the UK.  

The Thames is home to both harbour and grey seals, although harbour seals are the only one of the two to breed in the area. They live alongside a range of other wildlife that call the river home - including the the short-snouted seahorse and the Critically Endangered European eel – many of which ZSL’s conservationists are working to monitor and recover.     

This year’s survey was consistent with results from the last few surveys, with 692 harbour seals and 3134 grey seals being estimated in 2021.

Hannah explained: “We’ve seen UK seals make an incredible recovery from the early 2000s, when high rates of distemper virus led to steep declines in numbers. Results since 2018 suggest there has been a decline in harbour seals, which has also been seen in other harbour seal colonies in the east of England. While the causes of these declines remain unknown, experts are investigating potential factors and by keeping a close eye on these changes; we will continue to build our knowledge of seals in the Thames while contributing to long-term regional and national data on seals.”  

A ZSL-led report previously revealed that although declared ‘biologically dead’ in the 1970s, conservation efforts have led to the Thames once again becoming home to a wide variety of British wildlife including seals, seahorses and Critically Endangered eels, alongside evidence for an increase in the rise of important habitats such as carbon-capturing salt marsh.   

View of the Estuary from above.

Hannah added that it is key that decision-makers in the UK continue to support ongoing work to restore this important marine habitat. She said, “these surveys are just one small part of our work at ZSL to understand the state of wildlife in London’s rivers and out to the Thames Estuary. This is one of the busiest marine environments in the world, and yet it remains extremely important for wildlife."

"From tackling pollution to planting biodiversity-boosting seagrass, we’re working to make these waterways healthy and resilient to future change. It is vital that the health and recovery of our waterways is a key government priority.”  

Hannah McCormick

Members of the public can support ongoing work to understand and protect seals and other mammals living in the Greater Thames Estuary by reporting live sightings to the Thames Marine Mammal Survey, avoiding disturbing seals on land or in the water, and reporting dead sightings to the ZSL-led Cetacean Strandings Investigation Programme, which investigates stranded whales, seals, marine turtles and sharks in England and Wales.   

ZSL believes nature can recover, and that conservation is most effective when driven by science. With both COP16 and COP29 on the horizon putting a spotlight on nature, they call for science to guide all global decisions on environment and biodiversity and build a healthier future for wildlife, people and the planet.

.Indonesian Air Force orders four Airbus H145 helicopters

Indonesian Air Force orders four Airbus H145 helicopters 

The Indonesian Air Force has placed an order for four Airbus H145 helicopters as part of its training modernisation programme. The order was announced during the Bali International Airshow taking place this week.

Under the agreement between the Indonesian Air Force and PT Dirgantara Indonesia (PTDI), Airbus will deliver the five-bladed H145s to PTDI, who will manage the reassembly and completion of the mission equipment and other customisation work at its facility in Bandung, Indonesia, for final delivery to the air force. These multi-mission helicopters will be deployed for military training and light search-and-rescue missions.

“We are honoured by Indonesia’s selection of the country’s first Airbus H145 for its new training fleet. We are fully confident that the highly versatile H145 will make a positive impact in enhancing its military pilot training and at the same time be a critical enabler for its search-and-rescue operations. With a trusted partner in PTDI, we look forward to working together in support of Indonesia’s fleet,” said Vincent Dubrule, Head of Asia-Pacific, Airbus Helicopters.

“We are deeply honoured by the trust placed by the Indonesian Air Force through their order of the H145 helicopters as part of their training modernisation programme. This collaboration not only strengthens the long-standing partnership between PTDI and Airbus, but also showcases our commitment to providing innovative and reliable solutions for national operational needs. Through this close partnership, PTDI will not only support the delivery of the H145 helicopters but will also enhance our capabilities in terms of integration and assembly at our facilities. We are confident that this cooperation will create new opportunities for the development of the national aerospace industry and further sustain the long-term relationship between PTDI and Airbus, which we continue to strengthen for a more advanced future,” said Gita Amperiawan, President Director, PT Dirgantara Indonesia.

Airbus Helicopters and Indonesia have an enduring relationship of close to 50 years dating back to 1976 when PTDI first obtained a licence to produce the NBO-105 helicopter. PTDI became a key supplier of Airbus H225’s rear fuselage and main airframe in 2008, with full production in place in Indonesia by 2011. The two companies expanded the industrial cooperation in 2017, to include support and services dedicated for the Indonesian military fleet of helicopters, and most recently deepened the collaboration to explore the development of aerostructure production for the manufacturer's helicopter platform, helicopter completions, and enhancing local maintenance, repair and overhaul capabilities.

 

New Airbus Helicopters facility opens at London Oxford Airport

Airbus Helicopters' new facility at London Oxford Airport has been officially opened with the help of a former RAF Rescue helicopter and air ambulance pilot - HRH The Prince of Wales.

Prince William is the Royal Patron of London's Air Ambulance and spent quite some time working as an East Anglian Air Ambulance pilot between 2015 and 2017, surprised many by his appearance at the event. The Prince was there in a personal capacity and was shown around a newly delivered Airbus H135 helicopter which is all set to operate for London Air Ambulance later this month. 

The casually dressed Prince chatted to workers, reminisced about his time as a pilot, and confided that he missed his time going up in the air and said he'd "love to fly again."

The new facility has room for 32 helicopters and will be the home of around 250 employees, a major boost to the local community. 

Teledyne FLIR delivering airborne surveillance systems to Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force worth up to $21 Million

Teledyne FLIR Defense, has announced that it is delivering its Star SAFIRE® 380-HLD multi-spectral imaging systems to the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force (JMSDF) as part of an agreement worth up to $20.8 million.

JMSDF will integrate the imaging systems into the SH-60L helicopter, a licensed Japan-based production version of the Sikorsky SH-60 aircraft. The SH-60L is designed for anti-submarine and anti-surface warfare missions, but also can be used for search and rescue operations and various other maritime missions.

The program calls for Teledyne FLIR Defense to deliver ten Star SAFIRE 380-HLD systems over the next three years. The company already has delivered two systems to JMSDF for test and evaluation purposes, plus one spare unit.

Iraq Ministry of Defence orders 12 Airbus H225M helicopters

Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a contract for 12 H225M multi-role helicopters by the Republic of Iraq. The contract was signed in Baghdad by the Minister of Defence of Iraq Mr Thabet al-Abbassi in the presence of the French Ambassador Patrick Durel. These helicopters will be operated by the Iraqi Army Aviation command replacing older Mi-17s for a wider range of missions: counter-terrorisim, special operations, tactical troop transport, attack, ground fire support, MEDEVAC and combat search and rescue. Deliveries will start in 2025. Iraq already operates a fleet of Airbus helicopters from the H125, H135 and H145 families. 

“We are very pleased to welcome a new member in the H225M family,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H225M is a combat-proven platform used around the world by many operators, including the French Air Force, for combat search and rescue missions. It has proven its worth and saved many lives since entering into service,” he added. “The H225M is unmatched in terms of range, payload and also mission systems. It has been designed to operate challenging missions in the most demanding environments. We are looking forward to seeing the H225M contribute to Iraq’s safety and sovereignty.”
The H225M has proven its reliability and durability in combat conditions and crisis areas. Benefiting from Airbus’ continuous improvement policy, the H225M is now equipped with new avionics, an enhanced main gear box, airborne communication systems and can be equipped with the HForce weapon system. The maximum take off weight has been increased by 160 kg to reach 11,160 kg. 
There are more than 350 H225s and H225Ms in service across the world, totaling more than 880,000 flight hours. Military customers include France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, Kuwait, Brazil, and Hungary. 

Boeing offers CH-47 Chinook for Poland’s heavy transport helicopter needs

                             Boeing is offering the CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter to Poland. The announcement was made at the annual MSPO International Defence Industry Exhibition where Boeing is highlighting advanced defence systems, capabilities and services.

“The Chinook has been a key part of the European defence and humanitarian relief missions for more than five decades and would enhance Poland’s cooperation with allied forces, and support the country’s defence needs,” said Tim Flood, senior director, International Business Development for Europe and Americas. “In addition, the Chinook would deliver additional benefits to Poland through job creation, economic growth and greater autonomy for the Polish defence industry.”

The CH-47F Block II is the newest iteration of the Chinook, providing increased lift and range. Chinook Block II is a modernized and ready now solution that provides increased operational flexibility, improved performance, and enhanced survivability. It builds upon the proven capabilities of the CH-47 Chinook, offering an upgraded platform that meets the capability that militaries need today and serves as a strong foundation for affordable future upgrades.  

Investigation underway into ditching of a Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter in the English Channel yesterday

An investigation is underway into the circumstances that caused a Merlin Mk4 helicopter to ditch in the English Channel yesterday evening around 20:45. 

The Royal Navy said the Merlin Mk4 helicopter involved in this incident was conducting night training flying exercises with HMS Queen Elizabeth off the coast of Dorset. Another Merlin Mk 4 was also flying at the time. 

Three crew members were on board the Merlin Mk4, which ditched, two were rescued from the sea and taken to hospital. According to reports, they were not seriously injured during the forced water landing. A third crew member, whose body was recovered, has not yet been named.

Prime Minister Keir Starmer said he was "deeply saddened to hear of the tragic death of a member of the Royal Navy".

Defence Secretary John Healey confirmed an investigation has already started, "Today is a day to mourn the loss of a valued navy personnel and think about his family, friends and colleagues.  For everyone connected with the armed forces, this is news that people dread. - All my thoughts and the thoughts of those in the wider navy I've been with today are with the family, the friends and the close colleagues of the one we've lost today."

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Helicopter deliveries may rise in 2025, according to Bloomberg Intelligence

Helicopter deliveries may decline this year on supply-chain issues, yet more orders -- particularly at Airbus and Leonardo -- might portend a better 2025, according to a new report from Bloomberg Intelligence (BI). Increased oil prices could boost demand for higher-margin offshore twin-engine models, with Airbus already seeing gains. Wars in Ukraine and the Middle East may bolster defence demand, especially for European manufacturers, as spending grows.

Twin-engine helicopter demand appears set for an annualized decline through late August of 30%, surpassing total helicopter deliveries (down 22.5%). Medevac, dedicated attack and police helicopters are bearing the brunt.

George Ferguson, BI Senior Industry Analyst – Aerospace/Defence, said: “Supply chains might be partly to blame, though the bigger percentages likely reflect market trends. The attack-helicopter drop is surprising but might be short-lived, as fighting in Ukraine and Russia's greater use of armour, may bolster demand. Poland's commitment to buy 96 Boeing AH-64 Apaches could lead the trend.

“Offshore oil and gas appear set for a sizable gain, we believe, with Airbus taking share. Coast guard needs, along with multi-role military and civil are faring well.”

Backlogs and orders at Airbus and Leonardo have risen, evidence of growing demand and a potential precursor to increased build rates, believes BI. Supply-chain issues are likely slowing builds, helping boost backlogs, though order data from Airbus (233 helicopters in 1H vs. 131 in 1H23) and Leonardo (€3.6 billion in value in 1H vs. €2.8 billion in 1H23) appear to confirm the improved demand. European helicopter makers could see better trends as military helicopter spending rises after years of underinvestment. 

George Ferguson added: “Revenue and margin could rise for Airbus and Leonardo as demand grows for offshore-support helicopters by the oil and gas industry and military models amid the wars in Ukraine and the Middle East. The pandemic brought no sales or profit gains to helicopter manufacturers like it did for business jets, given most of the demand then was for fixed-wing aircraft. 

“A major driver of incremental revenue and better margin early in the past decade was due to offshore oil and gas support helicopters, though demand slowed dramatically as oil prices skidded in 2014. Bell and Sikorsky are in a different situation, given the former has a lot of corporate business and its 525 offshore-support model had flight-test challenges. Sikorsky is almost solely a military helicopter provider.”

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Beluga at work moving helicopters....

                       Airbus Helicopters are shifting two H175s with the assistance of one of the fleet of specially modified A300-608, a Beluga with registration F-GSTC.  The first stop was Cairo in Egypt where it arrived at 15:47 local time.

Wales Air Ambulance deploys Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform

Altitude Angel, the world’s most trusted UTM (Unified Traffic Management) technology provider, has announced Wales Air Ambulance is the latest organisation to deploy its Approval Services platform allowing drone operators the ability to request and pay for operations which involve taking-off and landing from a landowner’s property.

Wales Air Ambulance delivers advanced medical help to people across Wales and relies on charitable donations to raise £11.2 million every year to keep its helicopters in the air and rapid response vehicles on the road.   

Every year, Wales Air Ambulance’s four helicopters and fleet of rapid response vehicles attend thousands of missions, covering rural countryside, towns, and cities, along the Welsh coastline and across vast mountain ranges. The Approval Service platform will deploy across two of the Charity’s airbases, Cardiff Heliport, and its headquarters at Dafen. 

Described on its launch by [then] Aviation Minister Baroness Vere, as ‘a key step to [the UK] achieving its ambitious outcomes we are setting through the Future of Flight Industry Group’, Approval Services allows drone operators to submit flight plans, which take place wholly or in part, within an airport’s FRZ or require take-off and landing permissions from a landowner, quickly and securely, as well as facilitating any charges the airport/landowner have in place when a flight is approved. 

On the deployment of Altitude Angel’s Approval Services platform, Deborah Stephens, Wales Air Ambulance, Airbase Manager, said: “As a lifesaving service, carrying out sometimes multiple missions a day, airspace safety is a priority. By utilising the Approval Services platform, we can ensure the safety of our crews and other airspace users on and in the vicinity of our airbases and can manage drone flight request permission and standardisation of the process for all parties. Altitude Angel has an excellent reputation and its technology will now be deployed at our airbases in Cardiff and Dafen.” 

Chris Forster, Altitude Angel, Chief Operating Officer, added: “Being able to deploy our technology at sites operated by blue-light services, such as Wales Air Ambulance, is testament to the platform we have developed which is being used daily, in the real world. Approvals Services will help ensure the skies around where the air ambulances operate from remain safe for all airspace users.”

Robinson Helicopter Company’s fourth ‘climb higher’ series demonstrates modern capability of the R66 law enforcement helicopter

Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC), the world’s leading manufacturer of civil helicopters shares a new ‘Climb Higher’ series featuring one of America’s premier law enforcement agencies, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office (PCSO) in Polk County Florida. In these videos, PCSO highlights the pivotal role the Robinson R66 plays in their fleet, emphasizing the aircraft’s ability to modernize operations, reduce costs, and expand aerial coverage, enhancing public safety for their community covering 2,000 square miles.

Designed specifically for the demanding needs of law enforcement and public safety, the Robinson offers unparalleled technology, performance, safety, and cost-effectiveness. In this four-video series, PSCO shows how their fleet of Robinson R66s equipped straight from the factory with state-of-the-art technology, including advanced cameras, tactical radios, and night vision compatibility, empowers their officers to respond swiftly and effectively to a wide range of challenges.

“Because of the technology in the R66, we can be proactive. We can spend more time preventing problems from happening than just chasing problems after they occur,” said Polk County Sheriff, Grady Judd. “We chose Robinson to give the best service to the people of Polk County. The R66 does everything we need to get the job done.”

In 2019, the Polk County Sheriff’s Office was faced with an aging fleet and escalating costs. The department transitioned to Robinson helicopters, experiencing a dramatic reduction in operating and maintenance expenses, more than 50 percent. These cost savings, coupled with increased flight hours and mission capabilities, have significantly enhanced the department’s ability to protect and serve its community.

Poland agrees letter of offer and acceptance for 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache helicopters

The Government of Poland has signed a Foreign Military Sales (FMS) Letter of Offer and Acceptance (LOA) for 96 Boeing AH-64E Apache combat helicopters, as part of the Polish KRUK Attack Helicopter program.

“We are honoured the Government of Poland has placed their confidence in us,” said Vince Logsdon, vice president, International Business Development for Boeing Defense, Space & Security. “The AH-64E Apache helicopters will strengthen Poland’s operational capability and interoperability with the U.S., NATO and allied nations. We look forward to delivering this unmatched capability.”

The LOA comes a week after the Polish Ministry of National Defence announced an offset agreement with Boeing. The agreement includes maintenance and support of the Polish Armed Forces fleet of Apache helicopters by Polish defense industry along with the establishment of training programs and supporting the development of a composite laboratory.

Not authorized to fly...the man who crashed helicopter into hotel in Cairns.

Police are still investigating the reasons why a member of Nautilus Aviation's ground crew stole one of their helicopters and crashed into the roof of a hotel in Cairns, Queensland, Australia. 

The company confirmed that the man, named locally as Blake Wilson was a staff member. While he had previously held a helicopter pilot's license in New Zealand, he was not authorized to fly the company's helicopters and had not flown in Australia before. 

Nautilus Aviation said he had worked for the firm for four months and had been at an informal party for Wilson who had been promoted within the company.  Investigators have said they believe the helicopter was taken from the Cairns Airport before flying into the no-fly zone over the central business district. 

About 400 people were evacuated from the DoubleTree Hilton Hotel as a result of the crash and subsequent fire, two were taken to hospital suffering from smoke inhalation. 

Steven Miles, Premier of Queensland indicated it was too early to review security, "Cairns Airport may well consider to look at their specific arrangements, but I think it's probably too early to tell," he said.

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The 106th Rescue Wing’s First HH-60W Jolly Green II Takes Flight

Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, Westhampton Beach, N.Y. – The 106th Rescue Wing’s first HH-60W Jolly Green II search and rescue helicopter made its first flight from Francis S. Gabreski Air National Guard Base, on Sunday, August 4.

Lt. Col. James Liston, the first 106th pilot to qualify on the new helicopter, said it was an honor to pilot the first flight.

“Being the first and being able to teach everyone here at the 106th is a privilege and a welcome responsibility,” Liston said.

“I am absorbing everything I can with the Whiskey program both from Sikorsky, what active duty has done over the last few years, and my test experience so that I can bring that knowledge here and help set the 106th up for success,” he added.

The first flight was taken over the north shore of Long Island where Liston demonstrated the automatic approach and hover functions that the aircraft has both over land and water.

Liston utilized the Electro-Optical/InfraRed camera to demonstrate its effectiveness in being able to locate and keep eyes on survivors or threats as necessary.

Boeing delivers first MH-139A production aircraft to U.S. Air Force

Boeing has delivered the first MH-139A Grey Wolf production aircraft to the U.S. Air Force. This aircraft, part of a Low Rate Initial Production order in 2023 for 13 helicopters, will be stationed at Malmstrom Air Force Base, Montana.

“This aircraft will directly support ongoing U.S. Air Force modernization efforts,” said Azeem Khan, MH-139 executive director and program manager. “Delivering this asset for the MH-139A fleet is critical to the future of national security as the Grey Wolf will play a crucial role in the U.S. nuclear triad for decades to come.”

In 2024, the U.S. Air Force awarded an additional seven MH-139As to Boeing. With six Research, Development, Test and Evaluation aircraft already delivered, Boeing currently has 26 aircraft on contract.

With a 50% increase in speed and range and a 5,000 pound-lb. increase in max gross weight compared it is predecessor, the MH-139A can execute multiple mission sets. Combined with lower operating costs, increased reliability and improved maintainability, the aircraft provides improved capability and greater flexibility for the U.S. Air Force.

The MH-139A team consists of Boeing as the prime contractor and Leonardo as an original equipment manufacturer. Leonardo produces the baseline helicopter at its plant in northeast Philadelphia, while Boeing is responsible for military equipment procurement and installation and post-delivery support of the aircraft.

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Support Helicopter Force takes part in Exercise Hades Warrior at RAF Leeming

Rotary Assets from across the Joint Aviation Command (JAC) including Apache, Chinook, Wildcat, and Merlin, have come together at RAF Leeming to take part in the very first Exercise Hades Warrior under Aviation Task Force (Support Helicopter) Headquarters (ATF(SH)). 

Bringing together aircraft, personnel and many Force Elements, from across the JAC, Exercise Hades Warrior saw aircraft from all over the country, including Apache from 7 Army Air Corps, Chinook from 27 Squadron RAF Odiham, Merlin from the Commando Helicopter Force, and Wildcat from 847 Naval Air Squadron, all under the leadership of the ATF(SH) and evaluation of 22 Squadron, RAF Benson. Key life support was provided by 3 Mobile Catering Squadron (3MCS), who provided over 7000 delicious hot and cold meals of the highest quality.

The Exercise saw over 200 Pilots, Aircrew, and ground support staff, deployed to the Northern HAS Site of RAF Leeming over a two-week period. Running daily flying sorties across the north of England and into Scotland, the exercise provided first-in-class training for Aircrew and a golden opportunity to showcase JAC, and enablers, as a vital element of the UK’s readiness and capability on Joint Operations and the Joint Service nature of bringing all Force Elements under a single Command.

Wing Commander Green, OC 22 Squadron said:  “Exercise Hades Warrior promised a fantastic opportunity to enhance JAC capability and readiness by refreshing, honing, and enhancing high-end warfighting skills, and for 22 Squadron to develop the next generation of tri-service rotary tactics instructors in a collaborative training environment.  Enabled by the hard work of many across enabling units, in JAC and at RAF Leeming, the Ex very much delivered on that promise."