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The Air Current • TAC Staff

Army aviation chief denies DC Black Hawk crash linked to ‘outdated’ cockpit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made rare public comments about the Washington, D.C., crash, pushing back on the idea that the accident involved an “outdated” Black Hawk cockpit.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

The War Zone

U.S. Army formalizes FLRAA tiltrotor as MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” launching Bell’s next-generation fielding push

2026-04-15T07:35:36.436499-07:00

FlightGlobal

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

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

Lockheed Martin

Sikorsky launches Armed Black Hawk retrofit kits to add precision-strike, ISR, medevac and tactical-lift roles

2026-04-15T05:08:04.934280-07:00

News Timeline

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Army aviation chief denies DC Black Hawk crash linked to ‘outdated’ cockpit The Army’s top aviation leader made rare public comments about the Washington, D.C., crash, pushing back on the idea that the accident involved an “outdated” Black Hawk cockpit.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Army aviation chief denies DC Black Hawk crash linked to ‘outdated’ cockpit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

The War Zone

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U.S. Army formalizes FLRAA tiltrotor as MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” launching Bell’s next-generation fielding push The U.S. Army has officially designated its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA)—developed from the V-280 Valor—as the MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” revealed April 15 at the Army Aviation Warfighting Summit. The name sets a formal identity for the program as Bell delivers the first of six MV-75 test aircraft to support fielding.

2026-04-15T07:35:36.436499-07:00

U.S. Army formalizes FLRAA tiltrotor as MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” launching Bell’s next-generation fielding push

FlightGlobal

GE Aerospace says US Army’s T901 Improved Turbine Engine work continues amid UH-60M Black Hawk powerplant upgrade flight testing Senior Army officials in 2025 indicated they would not proceed with the T901 Improved Turbine Engine, but GE Aerospace says the program is still active, with flight testing and development continuing. The Army is also persisting with a new powerplant effort for Sikorsky’s UH-60M Black Hawk medium-lift helicopter, despite prior signals of delays.

2026-04-15T06:23:51.328731-07:00

GE Aerospace says US Army’s T901 Improved Turbine Engine work continues amid UH-60M Black Hawk powerplant upgrade flight testing

Lockheed Martin

Sikorsky launches Armed Black Hawk retrofit kits to add precision-strike, ISR, medevac and tactical-lift roles Sikorsky (Lockheed Martin) unveiled modular “Armed Black Hawk” upgrade kits for the UH-60M, designed to broaden mission sets on a common airframe. The configuration supports multiple armament options, including precision missiles and a low-cost guided rocket system used for countering one-way attack drones, plus roles spanning close support, ISR, tactical lift and medevac.

2026-04-15T05:08:04.934280-07:00

Sikorsky launches Armed Black Hawk retrofit kits to add precision-strike, ISR, medevac and tactical-lift roles

Reuters

Boeing Defence UK wins £879M Rotary Wing Enterprise contract to sustain UK AH-64E Apache and RAF Chinook The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded Boeing Defence UK a three-year £879 million ($1.2 billion) in-service support contract under the Rotary Wing Enterprise framework for the Army’s AH-64E Apache and the RAF’s Chinook HC fleets. The agreement is designed to streamline maintenance and preserve operational availability, sustaining more than 1,000 jobs in the UK.

2026-04-15T04:09:06.279147-07:00

Boeing Defence UK wins £879M Rotary Wing Enterprise contract to sustain UK AH-64E Apache and RAF Chinook

Air & Space Forces Mag

U.S. blockade of Iran underpins maritime surveillance with 100+ aircraft, helicopters, fighters and scalable force presence Reporting outlines how the U.S. naval blockade effort against Iran is supported by large-scale airpower to surveil the seas and protect maritime assets. The operation is described as relying on warships and a mix of helicopters, jet fighters, and other combat-capable forces to enforce access control, including potential boarding support from aircraft.

2026-04-14T18:34:49.157520-07:00

U.S. blockade of Iran underpins maritime surveillance with 100+ aircraft, helicopters, fighters and scalable force presence

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Helicopter News

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

U.S. Army formalizes FLRAA tiltrotor as MV-75 “Cheyenne II,” launching Bell’s next-generation fielding push

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

Sikorsky launches Armed Black Hawk retrofit kits to add precision-strike, ISR, medevac and tactical-lift roles

News Timeline