Helicopter News

AeroTime • Clement Charpentreau

Airbus Helicopters kicks off H160M Guépard flight tests for French military, eyes export sales

Airbus Helicopters has launched flight testing of the H160M Guépard, a militarised variant of its H160 rotorcraft built for the French Armed Forces under the Light Joint Helicopter programme. The maiden sortie on July 17 at its Marignane facility begins trials of modular multi-role, advanced sensor and drone-cooperation capabilities as Airbus positions the type for export.

2025-07-24T04:48:08.050110-07:00

Aviation Week

Robinson and magniX to develop battery-electric R66 helicopter demonstrator for late-2026 first flight

2025-07-23T09:15:15.306378-07:00

Reuters

NTSB Sets July Hearing to Probe Fatal January Midair Collision at Reagan National

2025-07-22T19:31:51.968713-07:00

Vertical Mag

Nagoya City Fire Bureau orders Airbus H160 for firefighting and SAR

2025-07-17T06:11:42.714603-07:00

Helicopter News Timeline

Vertical Mag

APSCON 2025 draws public safety aviation leaders to Phoenix APSCON 2025 drew hundreds of agency executives and OEMs to Phoenix for a week of training, technology demonstrations and awards. The conference showcased next-generation drones, helicopters and mission systems, offering public safety aviation leaders hands-on insights to inform procurement and operational strategies.

2025-07-24T06:46:42.262383-07:00

APSCON 2025 draws public safety aviation leaders to Phoenix

Vertical Mag

MD Helicopters Launches Super D20B Upgrade Adding 350-lb MGW to MD 500D MD Helicopters has announced the Super D20B modification for its MD 500D, featuring longer main and tail rotor blades, reinforced gearbox, redesigned tail boom and empennage. The upgrade raises maximum gross weight by 350 pounds, enhancing payload flexibility for utility, law enforcement and defense operators.

2025-07-24T05:42:51.044511-07:00

MD Helicopters Launches Super D20B Upgrade Adding 350-lb MGW to MD 500D

AeroTime

Airbus Helicopters kicks off H160M Guépard flight tests for French military, eyes export sales Airbus Helicopters has launched flight testing of the H160M Guépard, a militarised variant of its H160 rotorcraft built for the French Armed Forces under the Light Joint Helicopter programme. The maiden sortie on July 17 at its Marignane facility begins trials of modular multi-role, advanced sensor and drone-cooperation capabilities as Airbus positions the type for export.

2025-07-24T04:48:08.050110-07:00

Airbus Helicopters kicks off H160M Guépard flight tests for French military, eyes export sales

FlightGlobal

Bell CEO Atherton Eyes MV-75 Tiltrotor Surge Amid 525 Program Delays Two years into her tenure, Lisa Atherton is at the helm of Bell as the US Army finalizes commitments on the MV-75 tiltrotor—set to redefine vertical lift—while the 525 super-medium-twin lags behind in civil certification, testing the company’s commercial growth outlook.

2025-07-23T22:20:57.956759-07:00

Bell CEO Atherton Eyes MV-75 Tiltrotor Surge Amid 525 Program Delays

ch-aviation

India’s Pawan Hans to Launch Seaplane Operations Under UDAN Scheme Pawan Hans Ltd, India’s state-run helicopter operator, is set to commence seaplane services under the government’s UDAN regional connectivity scheme, deploying amphibious aircraft to link coastal and inland waterway destinations. The move follows regulatory approvals and aims to broaden transport access beyond traditional airfields.

2025-07-23T19:20:18.115192-07:00

India’s Pawan Hans to Launch Seaplane Operations Under UDAN Scheme

Aviation Week

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Robinson and magniX to develop battery-electric R66 helicopter demonstrator for late-2026 first flight Robinson Helicopter Company and electric propulsion specialist magniX have agreed to co-develop a battery-electric demonstrator based on the R66 light helicopter, targeting a late-2026 first flight. The project aims to validate that conventional single-rotor platforms with electric power can deliver efficiency advantages over multi-rotor eVTOL concepts.

2025-07-23T09:15:15.306378-07:00

Robinson and magniX to develop battery-electric R66 helicopter demonstrator for late-2026 first flight

insidedefense.com

Senators Push Air Force to Restore Full MH-139 Grey Wolf Order Senate defense authorizers are pressing the Air Force to reverse its 2024 cut of MH-139 Grey Wolf helicopter orders, citing an urgent need to retire aging UH-1 Huey helicopters. The appeal comes as Congress seeks to ensure readiness and sustainment of the utility rotorcraft fleet.

2025-07-23T09:00:05.245942-07:00

Senators Push Air Force to Restore Full MH-139 Grey Wolf Order

Reuters

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NTSB Sets July Hearing to Probe Fatal January Midair Collision at Reagan National The NTSB will convene a three-day investigative hearing starting July 30 under docket DCA25MA108 to examine the January midair collision between a Sikorsky UH-60 Black Hawk and a PSA Airlines CRJ700 near Reagan Washington National Airport that killed 67. Questioning at the public hearing will be limited to board members, investigators and designated parties.

2025-07-22T19:31:51.968713-07:00

NTSB Sets July Hearing to Probe Fatal January Midair Collision at Reagan National

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