Defence Helicopter
Advanced Avionics (sponsored)
Mark Burnand, Chief Test Pilot at Leonardo Helicopters UK, talks through the advanced avionics on board the latest generation battlefield utility AW149 helicopter.
Defence Notes
Top-level commitments but no meat in UK Defence Industrial Strategy’s Statement of Intent
The initial document focused more on creating the right partnerships and inspiring investment in defence than on any details of how future UK Armed Forces would be armed.
Air Warfare
Analysis: UK government goes on decommissioning spree to balance defence budget
UK defence secretary John Healey has announced the cancellation and decommissioning of naval and air force platforms to enable the government to “re-invest money in the armed forces” ahead of the upcoming Strategic Defence Review.
Land Warfare
South Korean defence industry demonstrates its tech prowess
Shephard takes a deep dive into the latest developments in the South Korean defence sector as the country arms itself to deal with current and future threats.
Air Warfare
Northrop Grumman shows off new M230 Chain Gun at AUSA
The development of a dual-feed version of the 30mm M230 LF Chain Gun could allow for rapid selection between different ammunition types for more versatile battlefield engagement.
Featured videos
Defence Helicopter
The Combat Veteran - 40 Years of the Chinook in the UK
The Chinook has served in every RAF campaign of the past 40 years. But in Afghanistan, it faced greater pressure than ever before.
More Stories
-
Air Warfare
US Navy turns to personnel and industry for Greyhounds to fill the V-22 hole
7th March 2024
The V-22 Osprey, a joint-service multirole tiltrotor aircraft manufactured by Bell and Boeing in a joint venture, performs carrier resupply for the US Navy. With its grounding, however, C-2 Greyhounds have been called upon to carry out more work.
-
Air Warfare
Canada looks to both NATO and the US for next generation helicopter beyond 2035
6th March 2024
Aircraft set for replacement under NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) include AW101, UH-60 Black Hawk, Puma and NH90.
-
Air Warfare
Germany expects to receive full CH-47F fleet within eight years
5th March 2024
On 1 June 2022, the German MoD announced that it had selected CH-47F Chinook for its €5.2 billion (US$5.6 billion) heavy-lift helicopter procurement. The helicopters will replace a fleet of CH-53G helicopters approaching a service life of 50 years.
-
Air Warfare
Brazil looks for attack helicopter two years after fleet retirement
1st March 2024
The Brazilian Armed Forces has faced challenges in terms of it size and geography and has long had an emphasis on better serving Amazonia. Plans for a new battalion are set to become a reality and improvement of rotary capability is underway.
-
Air Warfare
UK NMH programme will not see helicopters delivered to British Armed Forces until 2027
1st March 2024
Airbus, Leonardo and Lockheed Martin have progressed through to the Invitation to Negotiate phase of the New Medium Helicopter competition, but the initial goal of introducing new helicopters by 2025 remained unattainable.
-
Air Warfare
NHIndustries to boost NH90 support as parts from Australian MRH90s return to Europe
29th February 2024
In October 2024, Australia announced it was standing down its version of the NH90, the MRH90. NHIndustries has been using the opportunity to salvage systems from the aircraft and boost it supply stocks for other users.
-
Air Warfare
Bell and Leonardo to cooperate on tiltrotor technology
29th February 2024
The partnership between Leonardo and Bell has signalled a step towards advancing next-generation rotorcraft capabilities as the two company's embark on NATO’s Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) Concept Study.
-
Air Warfare
What is wrong with the US Armed Force’s rotary-wing aviation fleet?
28th February 2024
Following more than two months of operational stand down of CV-22 Ospreys, two separate crashes of AH-64D Apaches have forced the US Army National Guard to ground its entire helicopter fleet.
-
Land Warfare
British Army’s new Apaches come online as the force confronts new challenges
28th February 2024
The British Army’s new fleet of attack helicopters are a major step-change from the previous various and the force has a strong focus on the opportunities for spiral development and crewed-uncrewed teaming.
-
Air Warfare
US Army continues pivot to large-scale combat operations from counter-insurgency in the shadow of world events
27th February 2024
US Army Aviation has been pivoting to face a different kind of war. On the platform front that has meant investing in proven systems and improving platforms already in service.
-
Air Warfare
UK’s New Medium Helicopter requirement takes a step forward
27th February 2024
The UK MoD has published a draft plan to buy between 36 and 44 aircraft under its long-awaited New Medium Helicopter (NMH) acquisition programme to replace RAF Puma HC2, Army Air Corps Bell 212, RAF Bell 412 and Airbus AS365 Dauphins used by Special Operations Forces.
-
Air Warfare
Singapore Airshow 2024: China debuts Apache competitor attack helicopter in Singapore
20th February 2024
China's Aviation Industry Corporation has showcased the Z-10EM, an upgraded version of its Z-10 attack helicopter, designed for export markets.
-
Air Warfare
Singapore Airshow 2024: Singapore’s Apache upgrade among plans to renew RSAF capabilities
20th February 2024
Singapore’s air force chief has confirmed plans to extend the life of the RSAF’s Apaches to beyond 2030, as well as revealing the next steps for future purchases of F-35s, replacements for its UAV fleet and updates to its ground-based air defence systems.
-
Air Warfare
France and Airbus eye up Indian defence deals
19th February 2024
India has kickstarted an ambitious procurement process on a number of defence platforms for its Armed Forces with Airbus and France likely to be the main contenders for contract wins.
-
Air Warfare
Singapore Airshow 2024: Stay ahead of developments with our Show Portal
16th February 2024
Shephard will provide updates on the latest news, announcements and launches throughout the Singapore Airshow 2024.
-
Air Warfare
US Army cancels FARA helicopter programmes to fund UAS and Black Hawk procurement
9th February 2024
The cancellation of the Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) has reflected a shift in focus towards uncrewed systems in response to evolving battlefield dynamics and lessons learned from recent conflicts.
-
Air Warfare
BAE Systems to deliver Common Missile Warning Systems to foreign allies
6th February 2024
BAE Systems has secured an FMS contract from the US Army for AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems, expanding its deployment beyond the US services.
-
Air Warfare
Preparing for mass deployments and improving aircraft fleet among US Air Force priorities for FY2025
5th February 2024
The branch’s main concerns for FY2025 will include integrating systems and equipment, improving software, cyber capabilities and aircraft fleet, and preparing for mass deployments.
-
Air Warfare
World Defense Show 2024: Leonardo and Saudi Arabia to explore defence solutions together
5th February 2024
Saudi Arabia and Leonardo have agreed to explore collaboration opportunities in the defence sector, including airframe maintenance, assembly of helicopters and next-generation technology initiatives.
Subscribe to news feed
RSS
