Helicopters and Rotorcraft: Latest News
Helicopters do the flying that fixed-wing aircraft cannot: offshore energy, emergency medical services, search and rescue, firefighting, utility and police work, corporate transport, and the bulk of military tactical airlift.
The market is dominated by four civil manufacturers — Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo, Bell and Sikorsky — with Robinson in the light segment, and by the same names plus Boeing on the military side. This page gathers every AirPro News story on rotorcraft, newest first.
What we watch
- Civil programmes and orders. The Airbus H125, H145, H160 and H175; Leonardo’s AW139, AW169 and AW189; Bell’s 407, 429 and 525; Sikorsky’s S-92 and S-76 — and the offshore, EMS and VIP operators who order them.
- Military rotorcraft. The US Army’s future vertical lift programmes, Apache, Black Hawk and Chinook production and upgrades, NH90 and Tiger fleets in Europe, and the export campaigns for each.
- Certification and safety. New type and variant certifications, airworthiness directives and the safety programmes run by operators and regulators.
- MRO and support. Engine and dynamic-component support, PBH contracts, and the independent maintainers that keep offshore and utility fleets flying.
- What replaces the helicopter. Tiltrotors, compound designs and the eVTOL aircraft that aim at helicopter missions in cities and offshore.
Latest helicopter coverage
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CH-53K Helicopter Transports Historic F-35B Airframe in Key Mission
CH-53K helicopter successfully transports historic F-35B BF-01 airframe 552 miles, demonstrating advanced heavy-lift and tactical recovery capabilities.
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Retirement of UH1N Huey Helicopters at Yokota Air Base in 2025
The UH-1N Huey helicopters retire from Yokota Air Base in 2025, impacting medevac and VIP missions amid budget and modernization challenges.
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Pakistan MI17 Helicopter Crash in Gilgit Baltistan Highlights Safety Challenges
A MI-17 helicopter crash in Gilgit-Baltistan kills five, exposing ongoing aviation safety and operational challenges in Pakistan’s northern region.
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Milestone Aviation Group Celebrates 15 Years as Leading Helicopter Lessor
Milestone Aviation marks 15 years managing 300+ helicopters worldwide, leading growth in helicopter leasing with AerCap backing.
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Robinson Helicopter Celebrates 50 Years of R22 Training Excellence
Robinson Helicopter Company marks 50 years of the R22, transforming pilot training with affordable, safe, and skill-focused helicopters worldwide.
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Mahindra Aerostructures Wins Airbus Contract for H125 Helicopter Fuselage
Mahindra Aerostructures secures Airbus contract to produce H125 helicopter fuselages in India, boosting aerospace manufacturing and exports.
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China Unveils Helicopter Similar to Sikorsky S-97 Raider Raising IP Concerns
China reveals a compound helicopter closely resembling the Sikorsky S-97 Raider, spotlighting technology transfer and strategic competition in military aviation.
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US Army Awards Sikorsky 43 Million Contract for Black Hawk Modernization
The US Army contracts Sikorsky for Black Hawk upgrades including new engines and digital systems to extend service life through 2070s.
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Malaysia Cancels Black Hawk Helicopter Deal Over Safety Concerns
Malaysia scraps Black Hawk helicopter deal after King’s safety concerns highlight flaws in defense procurement and modernization challenges.
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Airbus H145 Achieves First Autonomous Military Flight with Shield AI
Airbus and Shield AI complete first autonomous H145 helicopter flight, advancing military logistics and AI integration in rotorcraft aviation.
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Lockheed Martin Delivers More Black Hawk Helicopters to Philippine Air Force
Lockheed Martin delivers 5 additional Black Hawk helicopters to the Philippines, enhancing defense and disaster response capabilities amid regional challenges.
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Boeing MH139A Grey Wolf Completes Testing Enhancing US Nuclear Security
The MH-139A Grey Wolf helicopter completes initial operational testing, advancing US Air Force nuclear security with improved speed, range, and defense.
Related topics
Airbus · eVTOL & AAM · Military aircraft · Air forces · MRO · Certification · Engines
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