Helicopters

A superficial look at the 51st Salon la Bourget may give the impression that this year's Air Show is all about civil and commercial aviation. Take a closer look at the aisles and the static park, look under the wings or below some innocent looking planes, and you will realize that military aerospace is still 'in.'

BAE Systems unveiled today a new countermeasures suite designed to protect helicopters and aircraft from current and future anti-aircraft threats. By better managing the deployment of traditional countermeasures such as flares, decoys, and hard-kill projectiles, ‘Smart D2’ acts as a layered defensive system protecting aircraft and aircrews from existing and emerging threats.

The Russian Navy is activating the Mi-14 in the submarine hunting mission after the helicopter was decommissioned from this role in 1996. Back then the helicopter was tasked with depth charges and massive nuclear weapons used in anti-submarine warfare. On its new mission, the helicopter will receive lighter, conventional armed Zalon-2 guided anti-submarine weapons.

Aircraft and helicopters on both sides used flares extensively but lacked the capacity to face the dense MANPADS on long sorties over the enemy area. Some Russian helicopters were also equipped with electro-optic jammer countermeasures, but these did not prevent losses.

Australia formally selected the Boeing AH-64E as a replacement for the Airbus Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopter (ARH). The new helicopter is expected to enter service by 2025.

Israel selects Lockheed Martin Sikorsky CH-53K Yasour helicopters as the IDF’s new heavy-lift aircraft, as part of the IDF’s “Tnufa” (Momentum), multi-year plan. These will replace the “Yassur” helicopters employed by the IAF since the late 1960s.

Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first Tiger helicopter retrofitted into the HAD version of the French Army Aviation. In the UK, after completing a modernization of Puma 2 helicopters, the company entered an agreement to support the Royal Air Force Puma 2 fleet.

Russia is leading the way bringing military aircraft that are making their debut at the Dubai Airshow. Unlike the Paris Air Show or Farnborough, Dubai provides a stage for aircraft companies from east and west, including China and Russia. Among the Russian aircraft making their debut here in Dubai is Sukhoi with a model of Checkmate, and Russian Helicopters with Mi-28NE, KA-52, and Mi-226T.

The V-280 Valor has achieved first flight yesterday, at Bell Helicopter facility at Amarillo, Texas. The V-280 Valor is Bell's variant evaluated by the US Army Joint Multi-Role Technology Demonstrator initiative.

As the coalition prepares to leave Afghanistan, the war torn country still lack effective air power to assist the ground forces battling the Taliban. "Clearly the biggest gap in the Afghan Air Force is the ability to deliver fire from the air to the enemy on the ground." US Air Force general John McMullen said.

Israel has signed an order for more than two billion $ for the purchase of 12 CH-53K helicopters, with an option to purchase six more. The first helicopters will arrive in Israel by 2026 and will replace the old CH-53D Yasur helicopters, that are planned for decommissioning in 2025.

More news photos from the Paris Air Show 2015

The Consortium of Sikorsky Aircraft Corporation and PZL Mielec is withdrawing form a tender for utility helicopters requested by the Polish Ministry of Defense, unless terms of the procedure are amended, Sikorsky Aircraft and PZL Mielec announced today. Sikorsky said the Consortium is not opting out of the procurement but "It is impossible to submit an economically viable offer that would be 100% compliant with each and every requirement, including technical, legal and financial aspects."

Lockheed Martin Sikorsky has signed a strategic agreement with and German defense firm Rheinmetall teaming for competing in the German Air Force planned replacement of Sikorsky's CH-53G heavy transport helicopter program (Schwerer Transporthubschrauber - STH). The Germans evaluate two options - the CH-47F Chinook from Boeing and CH-53K from Lockheed Martin Sikorsky. The team plans to introduce more German teammates in the weeks to come.