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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US Approves $198M Apache Helicopter Support Sale to India
The US State Department approved a $198.2M Foreign Military Sale for Apache helicopter sustainment services to India, supporting its AH-64E fleet.
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US Approves $4.2B Helicopter Sale and Upgrades for South Korea
The US State Department authorized a $4.2B sale to South Korea for MH-60R Seahawks and AH-64E Apache upgrades to enhance defense capabilities.
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Aitech Wins $63M Contract for Avionics in India’s Light Combat Helicopter
Aitech secures $63M contract from HAL to provide rugged avionics computing solutions for 156 HAL Prachand helicopters over 5-6 years.
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Hill Helicopters GT50 Engine Nears Completion in UK
Hill Helicopters completes 99.5% of its UK-built GT50 turboshaft engine prototype, aiming for final assembly and HX50 test flight in 2026.
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Michigan DNR Leases Water-Scooping Aircraft for 2026 Wildfire Season
Michigan DNR leases two Air Tractor AT-802 planes to enhance wildfire response in 2026 after 2025 ice storm debris increases fire risks.
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Nigeria Endorses Airbus Plan for Domestic Aircraft Maintenance Hub
Nigeria partners with Airbus to build a domestic aircraft MRO facility and fast-track military aircraft deliveries to boost aviation and defense capabilities.
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Helijet Helicopter Lightning Strike and Safe Recovery Analysis
TSB reports on a Helijet Sikorsky S-76C++ struck by helicopter-induced lightning causing rapid descent; crew safely landed with no injuries.
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Life Flight Network Expands Bell 407GXi Helicopter Fleet for EMS
Life Flight Network adds three Bell 407GXi helicopters to strengthen its largest Bell HEMS fleet in the US, enhancing emergency medical response.
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UK Home Office Funds Two Additional NPAS Helicopters for Fleet Upgrade
The UK Home Office approves funding for two more NPAS helicopters, expanding a fleet modernization with Airbus deliveries starting mid-2027.
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SkyDrive Signs eVTOL Purchase Agreement with Tohoku Air Service
SkyDrive Inc. signs an LOI with Tohoku Air Service to deliver one SD-05 eVTOL by 2028 for regional transport and medical services…
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Rotortrade Supplies Two Leonardo AW139 Helicopters to Toll Aviation Australia
Rotortrade signs agreement to deliver two Leonardo AW139 helicopters to Toll Aviation, supported by in-house maintenance in France for Australian operations.
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Unither Bioélectronique Completes First Hydrogen-Electric Helicopter Flight
Unither Bioélectronique achieved the first piloted hydrogen-electric helicopter circuit flight in Québec using a modified Robinson R44 under Project Proticity.
Related topics
Airbus · eVTOL & AAM · Military aircraft · Air forces · MRO · Certification · Engines
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