SECO International has signed a purchase agreement for a Bell 505 helicopter and has been appointed as the first Japan dealer for the Bell 505. This sale follows the letter of intent that SECO International signed in 2015 for 10 Bell 505s, which Bell has since delivered. Founded in 1983, SECO International operates a fleet of light helicopters and manages private owners’ aircraft with full o...
The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has signed a contract, on behalf of the Ministry of Interior, for the procurement and maintenance of 10 H160s in a law enforcement configuration for the Gendarmerie Nationale. Linked to the contract for the procurement of 169 H160Ms for the French Ministry of Armed Forces, this order is part of the Stimulus plan to support the national aeronautic...
Starting off the year at Bell with a major milestone, the Bell 429 surpassed 500,000 global fleet hours and continues to showcase its versatility throughout corporate, HEMS, law enforcement and utility missions. Today, more than 400 Bell 429 aircraft serve an array of customers, offering operators large cabins, intuitive displays and excellent performance. The twin-engine platform is reli...
As part of a flight testing program, the upgraded light helicopter Ka-226T has made its first circular flight at the flight-testing facility of the Mil & Kamov National Helicopter Center (part of Russian Helicopters). The vehicle was taken off the ground by the Mil & Kamov National Helicopter Center crew, consisting of Alexander Cherednichenko, a first class senior test pilot, and Maksi...
Bell Textron has delivered four Bell Huey II aircraft to the Armed Forces of Bosnia and Herzegovina (AFBiH) on Dec. 4. The aircraft are part of an Foreign Military Sale signed in December 2019. The Huey II worldwide fleet of more than 300 aircraft have a combined 1.2 million flight hours. Prior to the delivery, members of the AFBiH Air Force and Air Defense Brigade completed adaptatio...
The Spanish Ministries of Defence and Interior have ordered 36 Airbus H135 helicopters. This signature takes place in the context of the stimulus plan activated by the Spanish government to support the industry. The Ministry of Defence will receive 18 helicopters to be operated by the air force and the navy while the Ministry of Interior will also take delivery of 18 helicopters to be operat...
The Thales technologies selected by Airbus Helicopters, industrial prime contractor for the programme, and the French defence procurement agency (DGA), the contracting authority, will provide the 169 Guépard joint light helicopters with a complete set of high-performance solutions relying on innovative connected touchscreen interfaces for all three branches of the armed forces from 2027....
The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has ordered an additional two five-bladed H145s destined to equip the Sécurité Civile, an agency of the French Ministry of Interior that performs rescue and air medical transport services throughout France. This contract is a follow-up to the contract signed in 2020 for an initial batch of two H145s which were delivered in December 2021....
The multipurpose helicopter Mi-171A3, designed by the Russian Helicopters Holding Company of Rostec State Corporation, has started its flight tests. The first flight in a hover mode lasted for 15 minutes and went routinely, all systems functioning properly. The aircraft is designed for offshore operations and servicing offshore drilling rigs. During the flight, the crew, which included the test...
Leonardo and Falcon Aviation Services have signed of a Letter of Intent to procure two latest generation AW169 light intermediate twin engine helicopters. The aircraft are intended to further expand the offshore transport capabilities of Falcon Aviation Services for energy transport service opportunities in Africa. As the global launch operator for the offshore-configured...
Bell signed a contract with the U.S. Government to build the AH-1Z Flight Training Device for the Czech Republic’s new helicopter fleet. The delivery of training devices will play a key role integrating new H-1 helicopters into the Czech Air Force. The Flight Training Device (FTD) will be used for simulation and training purposes for prospective pilots of the combined AH-1Z and UH-1Y fl...
Helicópteros Marinos is the first operator of the five-bladed H145 in Argentina. The two new helicopters, which have arrived in South America, will perform offshore SAR and Oil & Gas operations in the world’s most southernmost region: Tierra del Fuego. Helicópteros Marinos has been based in Tierra del Fuego in southern Argentina for more than 34 years, operating f...
