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New York Times • John Ismay

U.S. rapid‑descent helicopter boardings of oil tankers underscore operational lessons after fatal 2024 boarding

Video footage shows U.S. forces conducting rapid‑descent helicopter boardings of oil tankers, descending swiftly onto decks in coordinated rappels and landings. The operations took place two years after a fatal 2024 boarding attempt, underscoring operational lessons and changes in maritime interdiction procedures.

2026-01-16T15:31:17.659886-08:00

Reuters

Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter

2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00

AeroTime

Israeli UH-60 Yanshuf lost after sling‑harness failure during CH‑53 (Yasur) recovery over Gush Etzion

2026-01-16T04:11:25.247372-08:00

Vertical Mag

Top 10 Rotorcraft Stories of 2025 — Safety, regulation and design advances

2026-01-15T16:11:54.836055-08:00

News Timeline

New York Times

U.S. rapid‑descent helicopter boardings of oil tankers underscore operational lessons after fatal 2024 boarding Video footage shows U.S. forces conducting rapid‑descent helicopter boardings of oil tankers, descending swiftly onto decks in coordinated rappels and landings. The operations took place two years after a fatal 2024 boarding attempt, underscoring operational lessons and changes in maritime interdiction procedures.

2026-01-16T15:31:17.659886-08:00

U.S. rapid‑descent helicopter boardings of oil tankers underscore operational lessons after fatal 2024 boarding

AeroTime

Israeli UH-60 Yanshuf lost after sling‑harness failure during CH‑53 (Yasur) recovery over Gush Etzion An Israeli Air Force UH-60 Yanshuf (Black Hawk) was destroyed after its sling‑harness detached while being airlifted by a CH‑53 Yasur during a recovery operation near Gush Etzion in the West Bank. Video shows the disabled helicopter falling from the tow after an earlier precautionary emergency landing.

2026-01-16T04:11:25.247372-08:00

Israeli UH-60 Yanshuf lost after sling‑harness failure during CH‑53 (Yasur) recovery over Gush Etzion

Reuters

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Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter Leonardo's Proteus autonomous helicopter completed its maiden flight in Cornwall, the UK’s first full‑size crewless rotorcraft developed for the Royal Navy. The AW09‑based demonstrator advances the Royal Navy’s hybrid air wing and supports plans to mature Proteus concepts for 700X trials and carrier experimentation.

2026-01-16T04:11:05.120839-08:00

Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter

Vertical Mag

Top 10 Rotorcraft Stories of 2025 — Safety, regulation and design advances 2025 exposed hard lessons for rotorcraft operators and designers — from high‑profile safety incidents and renewed regulatory scrutiny to tangible advances in rotorcraft architectures and capability. Vertical’s Top 10 roundup distills the year’s defining safety, policy and design developments shaping helicopters and powered‑lift programmes.

2026-01-15T16:11:54.836055-08:00

Top 10 Rotorcraft Stories of 2025 — Safety, regulation and design advances

FlightGlobal

Ghana orders two H175Ms plus ACH175 and ACH160 from Airbus in first multi‑mission helicopter procurement Ghana’s Ministry of Defence has placed a firm order with Airbus Helicopters for four rotorcraft — two H175M medium‑lift helicopters, one ACH175 multi‑mission variant and one ACH160 VIP/utility type — marking the country’s first acquisition of multi‑mission military helicopters.

2026-01-15T03:24:30.373606-08:00

Ghana orders two H175Ms plus ACH175 and ACH160 from Airbus in first multi‑mission helicopter procurement

AINonline

DRF Maintenance expands Straubing MRO to boost aeromedical helicopter support DRF Maintenance has expanded its Straubing, Germany facility to increase dedicated maintenance capacity for aeromedical helicopters. The expansion creates additional shop space and resources for air‑ambulance and SAR rotorcraft, aiming to shorten turnaround times, boost regional sustainment and improve fleet availability.

2026-01-14T10:19:40.670735-08:00

DRF Maintenance expands Straubing MRO to boost aeromedical helicopter support

Vertical Mag

Airbus Helicopters' Grand Prairie hub cuts rotorcraft MRO turntimes with smart automation and new test bench Airbus Helicopters' Grand Prairie MRO hub has integrated smart technology, automation and a new test bench to reduce helicopter maintenance turnaround times and boost capacity. The upgrades target growing global demand for rotorcraft sustainment and aim to speed component diagnostics and shop flow.

2026-01-14T09:36:31.571360-08:00

Airbus Helicopters' Grand Prairie hub cuts rotorcraft MRO turntimes with smart automation and new test bench

AeroTime

French Army: Ukraine combat validates helicopters for air assault and counter‑drone roles, accelerates manned–unmanned teaming French Army leaders say combat in Ukraine has validated the helicopter's role in air‑assault and counter‑drone missions and is accelerating adoption of manned‑unmanned teaming. The comments crystallize operational lessons shaping doctrine, training and capability development, and the integration of unmanned systems for rotary‑wing forces.

2026-01-14T07:46:01.605160-08:00

French Army: Ukraine combat validates helicopters for air assault and counter‑drone roles, accelerates manned–unmanned teaming

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Helicopter News

U.S. rapid‑descent helicopter boardings of oil tankers underscore operational lessons after fatal 2024 boarding

Royal Navy's Proteus completes maiden flight — UK's first autonomous full‑size helicopter

Israeli UH-60 Yanshuf lost after sling‑harness failure during CH‑53 (Yasur) recovery over Gush Etzion

Top 10 Rotorcraft Stories of 2025 — Safety, regulation and design advances

News Timeline