DefenceTalkHelibras and Airbus Helicopters have opened a new chapter in the history of the H225M multirole utility helicopter with the official presentation of the first aircraft in naval combat configuration. Developed and assembled locally by Helibras, Airbus Helicopters’ subsidiary in Brazil, this new H225M version is designed to meet the demanding requirements of the Brazilian […]https://www.defencetalk.com/airbus-helicopters-and-helibras-introduce-first-h225m-in-naval-combat-version-68513/

DefenceTalkFrench aircraft maker Airbus has attacked the Polish government for its handling of a failed helicopter deal. The row has caused a rise in diplomatic tensions between Paris and Warsaw. The Polish government had unexpectedly ended negotiations with Airbus Helicopters earlier in October over a 3.14 billion euro ($3.5 billion) deal to purchase 50 Caracal […]https://www.defencetalk.com/airbus-helicopters-to-seek-compensation-in-spat-over-failed-deal-with-poland-68361/

DefenceTalkPoland said Monday it would buy Black Hawk helicopters from US defence giant Lockheed Martin, days after it blamed French aeronautics giant Airbus for the breakdown in talks over a multi-billion euro contract for military choppers. “This week we will open talks… Before the end of the year, the first machines of this kind will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/poland-to-buy-black-hawks-after-dropping-airbus-helicopters-68342/

DefenceTalkThe Netherlands is ready to purchase 2 Airbus tanker/transport aircraft with Luxembourg. The aircraft will be NATO property and will be stationed at Eindhoven Air Base for pooling and sharing. Belgium, Germany, Norway and Poland intend to join the agreement at a later date. The MRTT (Multi Role Tanker Transport) project is an example of […]https://www.defencetalk.com/netherlands-and-luxembourg-buy-tanker-aircraft-together-67936/

DefenceTalkThe German Defence Procurement Agency (BAAInBw) and Airbus Defence and Space have signed a contract to provide Heron 1 surveillance drones to support the Bundeswehr mission in Mali. Similar to the mission in Afghanistan active since 2010, the unmanned aerial systems will be leased from Israeli manufacturer IAI and operated by Airbus. Military missions will […]https://www.defencetalk.com/airbus-to-operate-heron-1-drones-for-germany-in-mali-67876/

DefenceTalkThis year’s Farnborough air show was not a vintage year for aircraft orders, analysts say, a gloomy outlook clouded by Brexit and further darkening as European giant Airbus slashed output of its A380 superjumbo. Airbus’ announcement late Tuesday that the Franco-German planemaker would halve A380 production to one a month from 2018 caused some turbulence […]https://www.defencetalk.com/uk-airshow-wobbles-on-weak-demand-as-brexit-clouds-out-67827/

DefenceTalkDwarfed by huge jets all around, the mini-plane Thor was nonetheless an eye-catcher at the Berlin air show this week—the small Airbus marvel is the world’s first 3D-printed aircraft. Windowless, weighing in at just 21 kilos (46 pounds) and less than four metres (13 feet) long, the drone Thor—short for “Test of High-tech Objectives in […]https://www.defencetalk.com/airbus-presents-3d-printed-mini-aircraft-67595/

DefenceTalkThe space glider Perlan 2 is helping Airbus take on Silicon Valley’s brightest innovators, even while pursuing technologies that might eventually lead to passenger flights in space. The project’s goal is to set an altitude record for the unpowered craft of 90,000 feet (27,400 meters) in the frigid temperatures at the edge of space (-70 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/with-perlan-2-glider-airbus-claim-mantle-of-space-pioneer-67425/

DefenceTalkAirbus Helicopters has signed a contract with Japan Coast Guard (JCG) for the purchase of an additional H225. JCG, which already operates five H225s, has ordered this additional aircraft as part of its fleet renewal plans. The helicopter is scheduled for delivery by the end of 2018. This H225 will be equipped with the most […]https://www.defencetalk.com/japan-coast-guard-orders-an-additional-h225-67049/

DefenceTalkThe British government is close to ordering two solar-powered high-altitude Zephyr surveillance drones from European aerospace giant Airbus, it said Wednesday. The Ministry of Defence (MoD) announced in a statement that the deal was worth £10.6 million ($15.2 million, 14 million euros), in the first ever order for Airbus Zephyr unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). “The […]https://www.defencetalk.com/britain-set-to-buy-two-zephyr-spy-drones-from-airbus-66661/