The third H160 prototype receives its “carbon” livery
The third H160 prototype has received a fresh coat of paint and now features a striking “carbon” livery designed as a nod to the Airbus A350 XWB MSN2 flight-test aircraft. Both aircraft are produced using advanced composite materials supplied by Airbus’s...
The VSR700 takes shape
The DGA (Direction générale de l’armement) has just awarded a contract for technology development in the field of rotary-wing drones to the Naval Group and Airbus Helicopters consortium. The contract covers de-risking studies ahead of construction of a future tactical...
Latvia orders additional helicopters for border patrol
Leonardo announced that the State Border Guard of Latvia has signed a contract for two AW119Kx single engine helicopters with the option for an additional unit. The contract also covers customized configuration and aircrew and maintenance technician training services....
Olivier Le Merrer appointed Executive Vice-President Support & Services at Safran Helicopter Engines
Olivier Le Merrer has been appointed Executive Vice-President Support & Services at Safran Helicopter Engines. Olivier succeeds Franck Saudo who has been appointed CEO of Safran Transmissions Systems. Le Merrer (57) joined Safran Aircraft Engines in 1982,...
Leonardo’s AW109 Trekker receives EASA certification
In late December, the AW109 Trekker was issued type certification by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA). This milestone marks the entry into the market of the newest lightweight twin-engine helicopter by Leonardo, which plans to begin deliveries in the first...
First Tiger retrofit delivered to ALAT
Airbus Helicopters delivered the first Tiger retrofitted into the HAD version to French Army Light Aviation (ALAT), after having previously completed its formal acceptance process with the French Defense Procurement Agency (DGA). This retrofit from the HAP to the HAD...
Bell delivers 20th EMS 429
In mid-December, Bell Helicopter delivered its 20th EMS 429 of 2017 to Heliand, based in Andorra, on the Franco-Spanish border. The delivery took place at Bell’s European facility in Prague. The aircraft is configured to support Helicopter Emergency Medical Services...
British Ministry of Defense signs with Airbus Helicopters
In late December, Airbus Helicopters and the UK Ministry of Defense signed a Follow-on Support Arrangement to provide support for the Royal Air Force Puma 2 fleet over the planned service life of the aircraft. The contract, worth an initial £100 million, is the first...
Airbus Helicopters looks back on 2017
In late January 2018, Airbus Helicopters announced it had delivered 409 helicopters and completed the first phase of the revamp of its industrial model begun in 2014. In 2017, the manufacturer also announced it had logged “335 net orders.” It also noted that its heavy...
Two additional S-64E Aircranes for Korea Forest Service
Erickson has been contracted by the Korea Forest Service (KFS) to supply two new S-64E Aircranes to supplement the service’s firefighting capacity. These aircraft are in addition to a previously ordered S-64E Aircrane currently under construction and due to be...
