The American Helicopter Society has given its top design award to Eurocopter’s X3 hybrid demonstrator. The presentation of the group’s Howard Hughes award comes as Eurocopter prepares a US tour for the unusual rotorcraft, which it hopes to market for a range of civilian and military uses including long-distance search and rescue, border patrol, special operations,
The Army’s Black Hawk helicopters have been cleared for full operations six days after being restricted to essential flights. The partial suspension followed the emergency landing of a Black Hawk on April 24 during preparations for Anzac Day commemorations in Papua New Guinea. According to the ADF, an investigation found that the helicopter suffered an
Word from Defence and industry sources is that the long awaited AIR 8000 Phase 2 battlefield Airlifter (BFA) – i.e. the Caribou replacement – may fall victim to the Gillard Government’s stubborn ‘at all costs’ determination to return to a budget surplus next year. Defence has been trying to replace the Caribou’s fixed wing STOL
Eurocopter has unveiled an upgraded version of its single engine EC130 helicopter. The EC130 T2 has won 105 orders from seven launch customers, Eurocopter said, adding that deliveries were expected to begin this year. The upgraded version will maintain the EC130’s existing external lines while modifying roughly 70 per cent of the airframe. New features
Bell Helicopter has unveiled what it bills as the world’s first “super-medium” helicopter with the launch of the Bell 525 ‘Relentless’. Aimed at the offshore oil and gas industry, the 16 passenger twin features a range of more than 400nm and a top speed near 150kt. Bell pitches the aircraft as offering the economics of
A Richmond based RAAF C-130 Hercules flew to flood besieged Moree last night with bedding and other humanitarian supplies as thousands of New South Wales residents face the prospect of evacuation amid rising waters. “The aircraft and crew were able to quickly respond to this task which will provide the people of Moree affected by
