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Project Eagle takes flight

Airbus Helicopters has gone a step further in the experimentation of its Project Eagle, with the in-flight validation of the innovative on-board image processing system. Performed on an H225 flying testbed, the trials have demonstrated the system’s ability to select a small ground “target” from ranges of up to 2 miles and to automatically track it during the approach performed...

Airbus Helicopters continues industrial transformation with Paris-Le Bourget blades site

On 1 December 2017, Airbus Helicopters celebrated the inauguration of its Paris-Le Bourget site, where  helicopter blades are now being produced for the Airbus range. The blade-specific specialisation is part of the manufacturer’s industrial strategy. Covering an area of 18 hectares and with a total investment of more than 100 M€, the new Paris-Le Bourget site was conceived as a...

Bell Helicopter's Mirabel facility celebrates completion of 5,000th aircraft

Bell Helicopter, a Textron Inc. company, announced that the company's Canadian facility located in Mirabel has completed its 5,000th aircraft.  The aircraft, a Bell 407GXP, will be owned by China's Shaanxi Helicopter Co. Ltd. (SHC), which had signed a purchase agreement for 100 Bell 407GXPs earlier this year. “This is an incredible milestone for Bell Helicopter and a testa...

H160’s third prototype gets its carbon design livery

Signature livery a nod to A350XWB paint scheme Marignane, France, The third H160 prototype has received a fresh coat of paint and now features a striking “carbon” livery designed as a nod to the Airbus A350 XWB MSN2 flight-test aircraft. Both aircraft are produced using advanced composite materials supplied by Airbus’ long term partner, Hexcel. The H160 is the first ci...

Ten AS565 MBe Panther helicopters in service in Mexico

On 6 December, the Mexican Navy received two final AS565 MBe Panther helicopters, completing the order of ten purchased in November 2014. Below, an overview of the qualities of this model, which has become an essential part of the Mexican Navy. Versatile, safe and efficient. That’s how the Mexican Navy describes the MBe Panther after approximately two years of its use in various operation...

The Russian Helicopters are preparing digital production of helicopters in Ulan-Ude

The Russian Helicopters Holding Company (part of Rostec State Corporation)  is creating the technological production model of the Ka-226T helicopters at the Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant. The digital construction documentation received from JSC Kamov through the online channel is used to create programs for the production equipment. Besides, U-UAZ is completing the first stage of production mo...

Airbus Helicopters completes AS565 MBe Panther deliveries to Mexican Navy

The Mexican Navy has received its final two AS565 MBe Panther helicopters during a delivery ceremony at Airbus Helicopters in Marignane. With their order for ten units in 2014, the Mexican Navy became the launch customer of this new version. The first four helicopters were delivered in 2016 and the remaining six during the course of 2017.    Stationed at three naval bases in the Mexic...

Russian Helicopters started testing Mi-171E helicopter with upgraded power unit and rotor system

Russian Helicopters (part of Rostec State Corporation) started flight tests of the Mi-171E multipurpose helicopter with upgraded power unit and rotor system at Ulan-Ude Aviation Plant (UUAP) . It is planned to finish them by the end of the 2017. Due to innovations, economic efficiency of Mi-171E helicopter was enhanced significantly. Mi-171E helicopter is equipped with a new rotor and...

Airbus Helicopters celebrates 10-year presence in Albacete

Albacete to produce rear fuselages for the entire range of Airbus helicopters  Airbus Helicopters celebrated the tenth anniversary of its Albacete factory, underlining the essential role that the Spanish plant will play as part of the company’s new industrial strategy. The same day, a ceremony was presided in Albacete by the Spanish Minister of Defense, Maria Dolores de Cospedal, who...

Three years and 150 deliveries for the H145

Airbus Helicopters recently celebrated the 150th delivery of the H145, the newest member of the BK117/EC145 family. In October 2017, Helicopter Travel Munich (HTM) received the 150th H145 helicopter from Airbus, to be used for offshore hoist operations and the transfer of service personnel working in the wind turbine industry. The H145 (formerly EC145 T2) is a member of the EC145 and BK117 f...

Second NH90 Sea Lion prototype completes maiden flight

The second prototype of the NH90 Sea Lion commissioned by the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (Bundesamt für Ausrüstung, Informationstechnik und Nutzung der Bundeswehr) lifted off from the Donauwörth site for its maiden flight on 24 November 2017. Airbus Helicopters is now entering a development testing phase of several month...

Rolls-Royce Trent 1000 TEN Enters Service

Rolls-Royce today celebrated the entry into service of its Trent 1000 TEN engine. The engine is designed to power all variants of the Dreamliner family, including the new 787-10. The engine incorporates new technologies to deliver increased thrust and improved efficiency for the aircraft. Earlier this year the Trent 1000 engine celebrated a hat trick of firsts when it powered the first flight o...