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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THC Orders Eight More Airbus H145 Helicopters at Farnborough
The Helicopter Company orders eight Airbus H145s at Farnborough 2026, with deliveries set for 2027-2028 under a 120-aircraft framework deal.
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THC Orders 11 Leonardo AW139s and Up to 60 Bombardier Jets
The Helicopter Company placed a firm order for 11 AW139s and signed an LOI for up to 60 Bombardier jets at Farnborough…
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NPAS Orders Two More Airbus H135s, Fleet Renewal Reaches Nine
UK National Police Air Service expands its Airbus H135 order to nine helicopters under a six-year exclusive supply contract.
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Project SEAN Wins £1.52M for Electric Aviation in Scotland
Bristow-led consortium secures UK DfT funding for a 2027 electric aircraft demonstration across Scotland’s Highlands and Islands.
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Sikorsky and Safran Sign Propulsion Deal at Farnborough 2026
Sikorsky and Safran Helicopter Engines formalize a strategic propulsion agreement at Farnborough 2026, backed by a 40-year partnership.
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CBP AMO Orders 10 Airbus H125 Helicopters for Fleet Expansion
CBP Air and Marine Operations contracts for 10 Airbus H125 helicopters, expanding a 30-year fleet of over 100 rotary-wing aircraft.
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Honeywell Wins $249M Army Contract for CH-47 Chinook Engine MRO
Honeywell Aerospace secures a $249M U.S. Army contract to overhaul T55-GA-714A engines for the CH-47 Chinook fleet through May 2029.
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Honeywell Wins $249M Army Contract for CH-47 Chinook Engine MRO
Honeywell Aerospace secures a $249M U.S. Army contract to overhaul T55-GA-714A engines for the CH-47 Chinook fleet through May 2029.
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EU Funds SHARP Project for Next-Gen Military Helicopter Engine
The EU allocated €25M to the SHARP consortium, 25 partners from 12 countries developing Europe’s next military helicopter engine by 2040.
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Kasi Healthcare Orders Airbus H135 HEMS Helicopters in Nigeria
Kasi Healthcare signs for up to two Airbus H135 HEMS helicopters in Nigeria, including training and maintenance support.
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Bridger Aerospace Integrates TracPlus FireFlyte Across Fleet
Bridger Aerospace adopts TracPlus FireFlyte to automate mission data capture across its aerial firefighting fleet for 2026.
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Saudi Aramco Helicopter Crash in Ras Tanura Kills 14
A Saudi Aramco helicopter crashed near Ras Tanura on June 28, 2026, killing all 14 on board. Investigation is underway.
Related topics
Airbus · eVTOL & AAM · Military aircraft · Air forces · MRO · Certification · Engines
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