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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KAI Advances Surion Helicopter Exports with Custom Upgrades and Cost Focus
KAI enhances the KUH-1 Surion helicopter with tailored upgrades and cost reductions to boost exports amid stiff global competition.
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Garmin GFC 600H Flight Control System Approved for Airbus H130 Helicopters
Garmin’s GFC 600H flight control system gains FAA approval for Airbus H130, enhancing safety and reducing pilot workload in critical rotorcraft missions.
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Nagoya Fire Bureau Enhances Response with Airbus H160 Helicopter
Nagoya City Fire Bureau orders Airbus H160 to improve firefighting, search and rescue, and disaster response capabilities with advanced technology.
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Russia Launches Mi-80 Helicopter Program to Replace Mi-8 and Mi-17 Fleet
Russia’s Mi-80 program aims to modernize and unify helicopter production, replacing the Mi-8/17 fleet by 2030 amid technical and industrial challenges.
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Norway Acquires $2.6B HH-60W Helicopters from US for Arctic Defense
US approves Norway’s purchase of Sikorsky HH-60W combat rescue helicopters to enhance Arctic capabilities and NATO interoperability amid strategic challenges.
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Secret Service Uses Retired Marine One Helicopter for Agent Training
Decommissioned VH-3D helicopter enhances Secret Service training realism at Maryland facility, replacing outdated mock-ups for presidential protection drills.
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Drone Collision Disrupts Texas Flood Rescue Operations
Unauthorized drone flight collides with rescue helicopter in Texas, exposing airspace coordination challenges during disaster response efforts.
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Milestone and Leonardo Launch Helicopter Leasing Efficiency Pact
Power-by-the-Hour agreement optimizes 100+ helicopters for offshore energy and EMS missions, reducing costs via predictive maintenance.
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Brazil and France Launch Airbus H145 Helicopter Production in Minas Gerais
R$1 billion joint venture establishes H145 helicopter manufacturing in Brazil, advancing industrial policy and global aerospace integration.
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NHV and Flylogix Launch Integrated Drone-Helicopter Offshore Solutions
Strategic partnership combines aerial tech for cost-efficient methane monitoring and inspections in UK offshore energy operations, cutting costs by 90%.
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Flexjet Ferretti Launch Riva Volare Luxury Aircraft Interiors
Collaboration merges Riva yacht design with aviation luxury in Gulfstream G650 and Sikorsky helicopters. Launched in Milan, 2025.
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Norwegian Air Ambulance Expands H145 Fleet for EMS Modernization
NLA signs contract for up to eight Airbus H145 helicopters, prioritizing payload capacity, environmental efficiency, and advanced avionics for emergency medical services.
Related topics
Airbus · eVTOL & AAM · Military aircraft · Air forces · MRO · Certification · Engines
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