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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Avincis Orders Five McDermott 214ST Helicopters for Europe
Avincis signs for five McDermott 214ST helicopters after a 90% surge in European wildfire firefighting flight hours in 2026.
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Bell Textron Begins AH-1Z Viper Production for Nigerian Air Force
Bell Textron starts production on 12 AH-1Z Viper helicopters for Nigeria under a $455M contract, with delivery projected for early 2029.
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Pre-Owned Aircraft Inventory Remains Below 2025 Levels
Sandhills Global August 2026 data shows used jet inventory down 22% year-over-year as asking prices soften across most categories.
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Linfox Takes Delivery of Australia’s First Airbus H160
Linfox Group received Australia’s first Airbus H160 on September 15, 2026, entering the medium twin into the corporate aviation market.
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South Korea Approves $2.4B MH-60R Seahawk Acquisition
DAPA approved a $2.4B project to acquire ~20 MH-60R Seahawks for the Republic of Korea Navy, replacing its Westland Lynx fleet.
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Airbus Delivers First NH90 Standard 2 to France
Airbus Helicopters delivered the first NH90 Standard 2 to France on July 30, 2026, launching an 18-aircraft order for special forces.
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Robinson Unmanned R44 AIRTRUCK Demos Offshore Cargo Ops
Robinson Unmanned completed R44 AIRTRUCK demo flights in Louisiana, validating heavy-lift uncrewed cargo ops for offshore energy logistics.
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Flexjet Opens $34M Private Terminal at Farnborough Airport
Flexjet inaugurated a $34M dedicated terminal at Farnborough Airport on Sept 10, 2026, its first exclusive facility in Europe.
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Sikorsky VH-92A Patriot Completes Marine One Fleet Replacement
The USMC accepted the final VH-92A Patriot in August 2024, completing a $1.24B presidential helicopter program.
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Ramco Systems and Safran Helicopter Engines Sign MoU
Ramco Systems and Safran Helicopter Engines partner to automate engine maintenance data exchange for helicopter operators worldwide.
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Bell 407GXi and 505 Showcased at Salon Prive Concours
Bell Textron exhibits the 407GXi and 505 at Blenheim Palace, targeting VIP buyers after the 505 hits 700 deliveries.
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Japan FDMA Orders First Airbus H160 for Disaster Response
Japan’s FDMA orders its first Airbus H160 with Helisat satellite tech for aerial reconnaissance during major natural disasters.
Related topics
Airbus · eVTOL & AAM · Military aircraft · Air forces · MRO · Certification · Engines
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