DefenceTalkSikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE: UTX), today announced the start of bladed ground testing, a major milestone, for the S-97 RAIDER™ program. The RAIDER™ is an armed reconnaissance rotorcraft designed to significantly outmatch conventional military helicopters in maneuverability, payload, speed, range and high/hot environmental conditions. “Testing all of the aircraft’s […]https://www.defencetalk.com/sikorsky-s-97-raider-program-begins-ground-tests-62629/

DefenceTalkA new course at Fort Rucker, Alabama, will pair up Air Cavalry leaders with the operators of unmanned aerial systems. The Aviation Reconnaissance Course, scheduled to launch this spring, was discussed at the Association of the U.S. Army’s “Hot Topics” conference on aviation today in Arlington, Virginia. The course was mentioned during a panel discussion […]https://www.defencetalk.com/us-army-helicopter-pilots-train-with-uas-operators-62470/

DefenceTalkIt was a bittersweet day for the Soldiers of the 2nd Squadron, 6th Cavalry Regiment, with the casing of the unit colors in preparation for an operational deployment to the Korea peninsula and a final flight of the Kiowa Warrior helicopters, Jan. 15. “The Kiowa Warrior has called this island home for the past 17 […]https://www.defencetalk.com/cavalry-conducts-final-flight-of-kiowa-warriors-case-colors-62072/

DefenceTalkThe State Department has made a determination approving a possible Foreign Military Sale to Greece for CH-47D Chinook helicopters and associated equipment, parts and logistical support for an estimated cost of $150 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency delivered the required certification notifying Congress of this possible sale today. The Government of Greece has requested […]https://www.defencetalk.com/greece-to-buy-ch-47d-chinook-helicopters-61141/

DefenceTalkRussian Helicopters (part of State Corporation Rostec) has delivered the first batch of four Mi-171Sh military transport helicopters, made by Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant, to the Ministry of Defence of Peru. The Mi-171Sh are being delivered to Peru a month ahead of schedule. The customer also received aviation equipment required for its operation in addition to […]https://www.defencetalk.com/russia-delivers-new-batch-of-mi-171sh-helicopters-to-peru-61106/

DefenceTalkRepeated budget cuts and frozen orders have blurred promises of market recovery in the global military market, especially across Western regions. The adoption of remotely piloted aircraft systems seems to make manned helicopters further irrelevant. Nevertheless, unrivalled vertical take-off and landing capabilities as well as strong mission efficiency rates will sustain interest in military rotorcraft. […]https://www.defencetalk.com/global-military-helicopters-market-takes-wing-despite-budget-cuts-61104/

DefenceTalkFrance: The airborne capabilities of Thailand’s navy and air force will be significantly enhanced with the acquisition of two mission-ready Airbus Helicopters rotorcraft types: the light-utility EC645 T2 and the 11-ton-class EC725. The Royal Thai Navy signed for five EC645 T2s to be deployed on transport duties and other missions, with deliveries scheduled to begin […]https://www.defencetalk.com/thailand-to-acquire-five-ec645-t2-and-two-ec725-helicopters-60826/

DefenceTalkMinister for Defence Senator David Johnston today announced he has given Combined Pass approval for an interim Tactical Data Link for the Tiger Armed Reconnaissance Helicopters in service with the Australian Army. Under LAND 2089 Phase 3B, a total of 21 Tiger helicopters will be upgraded with a tactical information exchange solution that further integrates […]https://www.defencetalk.com/australia-to-upgrade-tiger-helicopters-60794/

DefenceTalkA tender for procuring 56 naval helicopters from abroad at an estimated cost of Rs 9,000 crore was on Tuesday scrapped by the Defence Ministry which decided to get them manufactured in India by local players with foreign collaboration. This is the third helicopter tender in the recent months to have been scrapped by the […]https://www.defencetalk.com/tender-for-56-indian-naval-choppers-scrapped-60777/

DefenceTalkAn Italian court on Thursday acquitted senior executives of military consortium Finmeccanica of corruption charges in the VVIP helicopter deal with India, but [India’s Central Bureau of Investigation, CBI] insists that the verdict would not adversely affect its ongoing criminal investigation into allegations of kickbacks in the Rs 3,600 crore 2010 deal. The Milan court […]https://www.defencetalk.com/italian-court-acquits-finmeccanica-bribery-charges-helicopter-deal-60738/