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
-
Belarus Debuts Sky-Truck Unmanned Helicopter at MILEX-2025
Belarus unveils 500kg payload Sky-Truck UAV for military logistics, featuring Rolls-Royce engine and EDGE Group collaboration at MILEX-2025.
-
Finland Helicopter Crash Highlights Private Aviation Safety Risks
Five killed in mid-air collision near Eura Airport, Finland, prompting calls for improved helicopter safety protocols and regulatory reforms.
-
Airbus Expands Canadian Operations with Niagara Parts Hub
Airbus Helicopters Canada opens Niagara distribution center to enhance parts logistics, reduce lead times, and support emergency services across the country.
-
GA-ATS Expands NH90 Maintenance Capacity in Germany
GA-ATS increases NH90 helicopter maintenance capacity by 20% at Oberpfaffenhofen facility, supporting German military readiness and NATO operations with advanced AI tools.
-
Bell Textron Canada Delivers 6000th Helicopter from Mirabel Facility
Bell Textron Canada achieves a production milestone with its 6,000th commercial helicopter, the SUBARU Bell 412EPX, enhancing Quebec’s public safety operations and…
-
SiFly’s Helicopter-Inspired Drones Boost UAV Endurance and Compliance
Silicon Valley startup SiFly launches NDAA-compliant drones with 3-hour flight times for public safety and infrastructure inspection, bridging gaps in UAV markets.
-
New Zealand Invests $2B in Naval Helicopter Fleet Modernization
New Zealand replaces aging SH-2G(I) helicopters with modern multi-role platforms under a $12B defense upgrade, enhancing Indo-Pacific security and allied interoperability.
-
Iraq Acquires Airbus H225M Helicopters to Strengthen Defense
Iraq’s 14-unit Airbus H225M helicopter deal enhances military mobility and signals a shift to European defense partnerships in the Middle East.
-
Autonomous Firehawk Helicopter Transforms Wildfire Response
AI-powered Firehawk helicopter uses thermal sensors and precision algorithms to combat wildfires faster and safer than human-piloted aircraft.
-
Greece Orders Airbus H215 Helicopters for Wildfire Response
Greece acquires eight Airbus H215 helicopters to enhance wildfire and disaster response, supported by EU funding and regional cooperation.
-
NATO Signs €1.3B NH90 Helicopter Support Pact Five Nations
Five-nation NATO agreement ensures NH90 fleet readiness with blockchain logistics and multinational cost-sharing through 2030.
-
Italian Army Modernizes Helicopter Fleet with UH-169D LUH Program
Italy’s $1.2B UH-169D program replaces legacy helicopters, enhancing NATO interoperability and cutting maintenance costs by 40% through Leonardo’s advanced systems.
Related topics
Airbus · eVTOL & AAM · Military aircraft · Air forces · MRO · Certification · Engines
Get the week’s key announcements every Monday: join the AirPro News newsletter. Sending news on this topic? Here is how.
