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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Rio de Janeiro Mid-Air Helicopter Collision Kills Six
Two helicopters collided over Rio de Janeiro on June 14, 2026, killing six and triggering an EV battery fire. CENIPA is investigating.
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Airbus H160M Guépard Prepares for First Live Firing Campaign
Airbus Helicopters readies the H160M Guépard for live fire tests, integrating weapons with avionics ahead of 2030 qualification.
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NHV Group Launches Airbus H160 European Offshore Operations
NHV Group begins North Sea H160 operations from Den Helder, marking the type’s European offshore energy debut.
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Bell Completes First Two MV-75 Cheyenne Wing Structures
Bell Textron finishes the first two MV-75 Cheyenne wing structures, achieving a 90% labor reduction vs. the V-22 Osprey.
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Pakistan Army Mi-17 Crashes Near Muzaffarabad, All Killed
A Pakistan Army Mil Mi-17 crashed near Muzaffarabad on June 10, 2026, killing all on board after a reported technical fault.
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Airbus Helicopters Unveils U145 Uncrewed H145 Variant at ILA Berlin
Airbus Helicopters revealed the U145 UAS mock-up at ILA Berlin 2026, targeting a maiden flight by end of 2026 and service entry…
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Volocopter and ADAC Luftrettung Conduct First Operational eVTOL Flights
Volocopter and ADAC Luftrettung successfully flew VoloCity eVTOLs with rescue pilots using VR ground control, advancing emergency medical services.
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US Approves $1.5B MH-60R Seahawk Sale to New Zealand
The US State Department approved a $1.5B Foreign Military Sale of five MH-60R Seahawk helicopters to New Zealand.
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Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 Helicopter Crash in Devon Claims Three Lives
A Royal Navy Merlin Mk4 helicopter crashed near Okehampton, Devon, during training, resulting in three fatalities. Investigation by MoD and CAA is…
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Airbus NH90 Extended Service Life and Strategic Upgrades Through 2080s
The Airbus NH90 fleet surpasses 500,000 flight hours with upgrades and support contracts extending service life to 50 years into the 2080s.
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Bell Textron Delivers Bell 407GXi Helicopter to Texas DPS
Bell Textron delivers a Bell 407GXi helicopter to Texas Department of Public Safety for patrol, surveillance, and emergency missions.
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TSB Reports Fatal 2023 Helicopter Accident During Maintenance Run
TSB Canada details a fatal 2023 helicopter accident at Smithers Airport caused by skipped checklists and pilot distraction. Mustang Helicopters updates safety…
Related topics
Airbus · eVTOL & AAM · Military aircraft · Air forces · MRO · Certification · Engines
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