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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Bell Helicopters to Open New Helicopter Factory in Ukraine
Bell Helicopters to invest in Ukraine with a new factory producing military helicopters, supporting defense modernization and NATO integration.
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Türkiye Expands T625 Gökbey Helicopter Fleet with Domestic Engines
Türkiye orders 57 additional T625 Gökbey helicopters featuring locally developed TEI-TS1400 engines, enhancing defense autonomy and export prospects.
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Tokyo Fire Department Expands Fleet with Airbus H225 Helicopter
Tokyo Fire Department acquires an additional Airbus H225 to enhance emergency response and aerial firefighting capabilities.
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AeroVironment Skyfall Mars Helicopter Fleet for 2028 Launch
AeroVironment and NASA JPL develop Skyfall, a fleet of six autonomous Mars helicopters for scouting and resource mapping ahead of human missions.
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Textron Q2 2025 Earnings Beat Driven by Aviation and Bell Growth
Textron exceeds Q2 2025 earnings estimates with strong aftermarket aviation demand and Bell segment growth from the MV-75 program.
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France’s H160M Guépard Military Helicopter Completes First Flight
The H160M Guépard made its maiden flight, marking a milestone in France’s military helicopter modernization with advanced modular design.
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Sikorsky and Partners Open S-92 Helicopter Center of Excellence in Brazil
Sikorsky, Heli-One, and Milestone launch an S-92 Helicopter Center of Excellence in Brazil to enhance maintenance and reduce downtime.
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ITP Aero and Summit Helicopters Sign Exclusive Five Year MRO Agreement
ITP Aero and Summit Helicopters partner for a 5-year exclusive MRO deal on PW206 and PW207 engines, enhancing reliability and efficiency.
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Robinson and MagniX Collaborate to Electrify R66 Helicopter by 2026
Robinson Helicopter and MagniX partner to develop an electric R66 helicopter with zero emissions and reduced operating costs, targeting a 2026 first…
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South Korea and US Launch CH 47 Helicopter Engine MRO Project
South Korea and the US initiate joint maintenance for CH 47 Chinook engines to improve readiness and reduce costs under the Regional…
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Indian Army Inducts AH64E Apache Helicopters Enhancing Combat Operations
The Indian Army receives its first AH-64E Apache helicopters, boosting tactical firepower and operational capabilities amid regional security challenges.
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SKYCO Leasing Expands Airbus H175 Fleet to Support China’s Aviation Growth
SKYCO orders six additional Airbus H175 helicopters to enhance offshore and public service missions in Guangdong’s aviation sector.
Related topics
Airbus · eVTOL & AAM · Military aircraft · Air forces · MRO · Certification · Engines
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