Helicopters

LAAD 2015 Report: Israel offers C4I solutions to Brazil

LAAD 2015 Report: Helicopter programs and systems

United Nations peacekeepers in Africa are expanding the use of drones to improve force protection and better secure the civilian communities in conflict areas. The UN is expected to select a supplier for a larger MALE drone to succeed the Falco UAVs operating in the Democratic Republic of Congo since 2013. Such drones will soon launch operations from two bases in Mali, in support of UN operations in the Sahara.

The Marine Corps examined an innovative autonomous flying capability that enables troops to safely and reliably control helicopters from the ground, even in difficult weather conditions. The demonstration flight took place this week at the Marine Corps Base Quantico, Va., as the Office of Naval Research (ONR) announced the successful conclusion of the Autonomous Aerial Cargo/Utility System (AACUS) program.

Airbus' EAGLE vision system began flight testing on ab H225 helicopter flying testbed. The system improves situational awareness and reduces the pilot’s workload by automating and securing approaches, take-off, and landing. Photo: Airbus

Elbit Systems received a first order for the BrightNite vision system from one of NATO air forces in, (name of the country has not been released). BrightNite is designed to enhance helicopter pilot visibility and situational awareness in Degraded Visual Environment (DVE) conditions. The company is expected to deliver the systems under a $17 million contract, within 30 months.

Lockheed Martin Corp has agreed to buy United Technologies Corp's (UTC) Sikorsky Aircraft for over $8 billion, US news agency Reuters reported on Sunday. Such a deal would enhance Lockheed Martin's dominance in the aerospace market, while adding a civil element to its defense-oriented portfolio.

Russian Rostec Corporation and the Chinese industrial aviation corporation AVIC have reached an agreement regarding strategic cooperation between the two companies, Addressing future  joint projects in aircraft, helicopter, and engine production, as well as in the manufacturing of aircraft materials, avionics, and similar products. Nikolai Volobuev, Deputy CEO of Rostec Corporation, and Li Yuhai, Deputy CEO of AVIC, signed the...

Leonardo Helicopters is in talks with the Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force for a follow-on order of 12 AW101 helicopters.

Aurora Flight Sciences will integrate the Tactical Autonomous Aerial Logistics System (TALOS) on a UH-1H helicopter for capability demonstration to the US Navy and Marine Corps, flight demonstrations of the unmanned, autonomous Huey are planned in 2017-2018.

The Marine Corps' new heavyweight lifter CH-53K King Stallion completed an external lift of a 13 tons (27,000 pounds) payload at Sikorsky’s Development Flight Test Center in West Palm Beach June 17. The first two aircraft have already verified the King Stallion’s capabilities well in excess of the predecessor CH-53E.

Elbit Systems has been awarded a contract worth about $110 million, for the upgrade and maintenance of a fleet of Russian made Mi-17 helicopters operating with an air force in the Asia Pacific region. The project will be performed over a five-year period. The work assumed by the company will include the conversion of the Russian-made utility and assault...