Italian Blade 2015 comes to a close
Italian Blade 2015, a part of the European Defence Agency's (EDA) Helicopter Exercise Programme (HEP), has concluded in Viterbo, with EDA declaring the exercise a success.
The event saw over 1,000 personnel and 30 helicopters from seven countries participate in multinational training exercises. A total of 201 missions and 445 sorties were flown during the course of the event, which started on 22 June.
A total of 618 flight hours were recorded, and the missions involved simulated scenarios such as medical evacuation, combat search and rescue, close air support and air assault.
Andrew Gray, helicopter programme manager, EDA, said: 'Italy has provided great support to this year's HEP exercise as host nation. Next year the HEP will move to Finland for exercise Cold Blade, which will provide participants with a totally different yet very relevant training environment.'
Over 350 crews and 200 helicopters have participated so far in the HEP exercises developed by the EDA.
More from Defence Helicopter
-
![Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine]()
Germany to send WS-61 Westland Sea King helicopters to Ukraine
Germany has committed to sending Ukraine six of its 21 retiring WS-61 Westland Sea King multirole, amphibious helicopters.
-
![Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook]()
Boeing secures $271 million to advance modernisation of US Special Operations' MH-47G Chinook
Boeing has clinched a major contract modification to further its backing of the US Special Operations Command’s MH-47G Chinook aircraft modernisation effort.
-
![Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut]()
Dubai Airshow 2023: South Korean homegrown helicopters make international debut
Two KAI helicopters, the KUH-1E utility helicopter and the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), have taken centre stage at the Dubai Airshow 2023.
-
![Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter]()
Italian Navy receives final NH90 helicopter
The Italian Navy now boasts a fleet of 56 NH90 helicopters comprising 46 SH-90As and 10 MH-90As.
-
![Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters]()
Argentina seeks AW109 and CH-46 Sea Knight helicopters
The Argentinian Air Force (FAA) and the Argentinian Naval Aviation Command (COAN) are looking for options to upgrade their helicopter fleets.
-
![DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest]()
DSEI 2023: Lockheed to produce about 40% of Black Hawks on UK soil if it wins NMH contest
Lockheed Martin promises a boost to the British job market and export opportunities, while strengthening ties with Poland and positioning the UK for a future in rotorcraft technology in the event of a New Medium Helicopter competition triumph.
