CHC Helicopter has appointed Rick Burt, currently senior vice president of Canada’s Cougar Helicopters, as managing director of its Australian operations as it seeks to grow its local business units while aligning them more closely with CHC’s global operations. “We are delighted to have someone with Rick’s scope and experience join CHC Helicopter,” said Christine
The first of 27 NH90 NFHs was delivered to the French navy on May 5 during a ceremony at Eurocopter’s Marignane plant. It was the first delivery of a NH90 helicopter to France, which also has 34 NH90 TTH troop transports on order. Between them the Dutch, French, Italian, Norwegian and Belgian navies have ordered
The Indian Navy has issued an RFI for at least 50 new light utility helicopters to replace the 32 locally produced HAI Cheetaks currently in service. The RFI calls for a twin engined aircraft with a maximum weight of 4500kg, the ability to carry a lightweight torpedo or two depth charges, and provision for mounting
Northop Grumman and Bell Helicopter are partnering to develop a medium range vertical unmanned aerial system (VUAS) based on Bell’s 407 light single helicopter. To be known as Fire-X, the optionally manned VUAS will integrate the unmanned systems architecture developed by Northrop Grumman for the US Navy’s MQ-8B Fire Scout program. The Fire-X will be
Eurocopter will accelerate its SHAPE efficiency improvement program in the face of the slow recovery in the civil helicopter market following the global financial crisis, and an “increasingly challenging” competitive environment, announcing efficiency improvements and job cuts, but also new research and development spending. Eurocopter says cutting 400 jobs in support function areas will save
The DMO has released tender solicitation documents to the US Navy and to Australian Aerospace for the supply of up to 24 naval combat helicopters to replace the RAN’s Seahawks and foregone Seasprite capability under Air 9000 Phase 8. The tender release follows first pass approval of the project in February, and the government’s subsequent
