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The War Zone • Thomas Newdick

L3Harris integrates Red Wolf launched effects on SKY RAIDER II and positions for broader Army rotorcraft adoption

L3Harris says it has demonstrated integration of its Red Wolf launched-effects vehicle with the SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL light-attack aircraft, emphasizing a modular architecture for mission reconfiguration in real time. The company is also pitching the same launched-effects capability to future U.S. Army rotorcraft requirements after work for the Marine Corps.

2026-04-16T09:12:33.477970-07:00

Vertical Mag

ATSB to probe fuel management after LongRanger helicopter ditching in Torres Strait

2026-04-16T07:39:38.714853-07:00

Reuters

US mine-clearing plan for the Strait of Hormuz: drones, explosive-laden robots and helicopters to reduce risk

2026-04-16T08:11:17.520523-07:00

The Air Current

Army aviation chief denies DC Black Hawk crash linked to ‘outdated’ cockpit

2026-04-15T12:15:22.286230-07:00

News Timeline

The War Zone

MV-75 Cheyenne II: Bell’s FLRAA tiltrotor hits key Army milestone with special-operations sensors and in-flight refueling The U.S. Army has designated the Bell MV-75 Cheyenne II under the FLRAA programme, alongside new public renderings showing an MV-75 configured for special operations. Imagery highlights a sensor suite—including radar/other payloads—and a future in-flight refueling capability, aligning with Army interest in expanding rotary and aerial refuel concepts beyond current platforms.

2026-04-16T11:58:37.655672-07:00

MV-75 Cheyenne II: Bell’s FLRAA tiltrotor hits key Army milestone with special-operations sensors and in-flight refueling

Breaking Defense

U.S. Army ATI overhaul: nearly 60% of Apache D models divested as aviation modernization accelerates Army aviation’s ATI overhaul is well underway, with leadership saying the service has divested nearly 60% of its AH-64 Apache D models in the past year. Col. Tim Jaeger, director of Army aviation at G3/5/7, framed the divestment as “significant headway” toward fleet transformation.

2026-04-16T09:28:16.015696-07:00

U.S. Army ATI overhaul: nearly 60% of Apache D models divested as aviation modernization accelerates

The War Zone

L3Harris integrates Red Wolf launched effects on SKY RAIDER II and positions for broader Army rotorcraft adoption L3Harris says it has demonstrated integration of its Red Wolf launched-effects vehicle with the SKY RAIDER II INTERNATIONAL light-attack aircraft, emphasizing a modular architecture for mission reconfiguration in real time. The company is also pitching the same launched-effects capability to future U.S. Army rotorcraft requirements after work for the Marine Corps.

2026-04-16T09:12:33.477970-07:00

L3Harris integrates Red Wolf launched effects on SKY RAIDER II and positions for broader Army rotorcraft adoption

Reuters

US mine-clearing plan for the Strait of Hormuz: drones, explosive-laden robots and helicopters to reduce risk The US is preparing to clear mines in the Strait of Hormuz using an “arsenal” of drones, explosive-laden robots and helicopters, aiming to limit risk to de-mining personnel. Even with remote systems, crews could remain vulnerable to Iranian attack.

2026-04-16T08:11:17.520523-07:00

US mine-clearing plan for the Strait of Hormuz: drones, explosive-laden robots and helicopters to reduce risk

Vertical Mag

ATSB to probe fuel management after LongRanger helicopter ditching in Torres Strait The Australian Transport Safety Bureau says it will examine fuel management, fuel storage and fuel-quality monitoring procedures as part of its ongoing investigation into the ditching of a LongRanger helicopter in the Torres Strait. The scope points to potential operational and handling factors rather than just in-flight performance.

2026-04-16T07:39:38.714853-07:00

ATSB to probe fuel management after LongRanger helicopter ditching in Torres Strait

The Air Current

Army aviation chief denies DC Black Hawk crash linked to ‘outdated’ cockpit The Army’s top aviation leader made rare public comments about the Washington, D.C., crash, pushing back on the idea that the accident involved an “outdated” Black Hawk cockpit. The remark reframes the discussion as attention intensifies on how existing systems and oversight contributed to the tragedy.

2026-04-15T12:15:22.286230-07:00

Army aviation chief denies DC Black Hawk crash linked to ‘outdated’ cockpit

The War Zone

Boeing pitches optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook concept and air-launching drone swarms Boeing is identifying growing interest in an optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook configuration, positioning the type as a launch platform for drone swarms. The concept ties crewed helicopter flexibility to scalable uncrewed strike/sensing options—designed to expand mission reach without fully ceding control to autonomy.

2026-04-15T11:35:11.644276-07:00

Boeing pitches optionally crewed CH-47 Chinook concept and air-launching drone swarms

FlightGlobal

Airbus advances autonomous H145 and MQ-72 cargo helicopter tests with integrated edge computing partners Airbus U.S. Space & Defense and partners Shield AI, L3Harris and Parry Labs completed their fourth autonomous flight test on the H145, integrating all four technologies on one aircraft. Separately, Airbus said it has completed its fourth MQ-72 autonomous cargo-helicopter test flight, extending the program’s flight-test cadence toward a military logistics role.

2026-04-15T09:53:32.849911-07:00

Airbus advances autonomous H145 and MQ-72 cargo helicopter tests with integrated edge computing partners

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Helicopter News

L3Harris integrates Red Wolf launched effects on SKY RAIDER II and positions for broader Army rotorcraft adoption

ATSB to probe fuel management after LongRanger helicopter ditching in Torres Strait

US mine-clearing plan for the Strait of Hormuz: drones, explosive-laden robots and helicopters to reduce risk

Army aviation chief denies DC Black Hawk crash linked to ‘outdated’ cockpit

News Timeline