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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South Carolina Guard Fields First HH-60M Black Hawk
South Carolina Army National Guard takes delivery of the first HH-60M Black Hawk at McEntire JNGB, upgrading medevac capabilities.
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NTSB Releases Preliminary Report on Carlisle Airport Midair Collision
NTSB preliminary report details a fatal midair collision between a Cessna 150H and a PA State Police helicopter at Carlisle Airport.
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US Approves $800M Bell Helicopter Sale to Iraq
The U.S. approved a potential $800M FMS to Iraq for Bell 412EPX and Bell 407M helicopters to replace aging Russian-built platforms.
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MH-139 Grey Wolf Achieves IOC for US Nuclear Security
The USAF MH-139 Grey Wolf reached Initial Operational Capability on Aug. 10, 2026, replacing the UH-1N Huey in ICBM security.
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AeroVironment Contracted for Three NASA SkyFall Mars Helicopters
AeroVironment will build three autonomous helicopters for NASA JPL’s SkyFall Mars mission, targeting a late 2028 launch.
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NSPA Issues RFP for NATO Next Generation Rotorcraft Program
NSPA formally launches the NGRC Concept Design RFP, with four manufacturers competing for a six-nation helicopter replacement program.
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HAL and Safran Sign Aravalli Engine Co-Development Contract
HAL and Safran finalize the Aravalli engine contract via SAFHAL JV to power India’s IMRH and DBMRH helicopters by 2032-2033.
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AAE Opens 1900sqm MRO Facility at Albury Airport Australia
Australian Aerospace Engineering opens a new MRO facility in Albury, NSW, supporting UH-60M Black Hawk sustainment for the Australian Army.
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US Approves $2.3B Black Hawk Sale to Norway for 21 UH-60M
The U.S. State Department approved a $2.3B sale of 21 Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawks to Norway, replacing a prior HH-60W order.
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T625 GÖKBEY Expands to Turkish Land Forces and Saudi Arabia
Turkish Aerospace Industries delivers GÖKBEY to Land Forces and signs a joint production MOU with Saudi Arabia in 2026.
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Milestone Aviation Sells Three Airbus H225s to Kitz-Air
Milestone Aviation sells three Airbus H225 helicopters to Kitz-Air GmbH for aerial firefighting in Europe and South America.
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Sikorsky Names First EU Black Hawk Parts Distribution Center
Sikorsky designates Prague-based ÄŒLS as its first EU distribution center for Black Hawk helicopter parts, serving 150+ regional operators.
Related topics
Airbus · eVTOL & AAM · Military aircraft · Air forces · MRO · Certification · Engines
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