Airbus Helicopters

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Leonardo Helicopters has begun ground runs of its Next-Generation Civil Tiltrotor Technology Demonstrator ahead of its first flight, planned before year-end,

With industry leaders working to certify their aircraft, it was up to alternative propulsion developers to take limelight at the Farnborough Airshow.

GE Aerospace has revealed it is working to develop a new rotary-wing turboshaft engine with Airbus Helicopters.

The Racer—short for Rapid and Cost-Effective Rotorcraft—reached 227 kt. (407 km/hr.) in level flight on June 21.

Airbus' new H160 twin-engine medium helicopter has begun route-proving trials in the Gulf of Mexico ahead of its offshore energy transportation debut.

Airbus Helicopters has opened a new logistics hub in Spain that will support rotorcraft production at its sites across Europe.

Airbus Helicopters says it is two-three years away from finalizing the development of its VSR700 uncrewed helicopter.

Airbus Helicopters has begun flight testing of a new configuration of the NH90 battlefield transport helicopter developed for France's special forces.

Belgium has ordered the military version of Airbus’ H145 utility helicopter to help modernize the fleets of its military and law enforcement agencies.

Four NH90 customer nations have partnered to launch an upgrade program for the twin-engine European utility helicopter.

Engineers are exploring potential configurations for the system, which the company hopes to fly in 2027, according to Dominik Strobel, PioneerLab’s program manager.

Angus Batey, a writer for Aviation Week Network’s Show News, discusses the ACH175, which is being exhibited at EBACE for the first time.

In 2023, Airbus Helicopters booked 74 sales, representing 42% of the total orders placed across all corporate helicopter manufacturers in the year.

Initial flights suggest the rotorcraft will easily surpass fuel consumption and performance targets.

Airbus Helicopters test pilots are eagerly awaiting approval to begin higher-speed flights with the company’s Racer compound rotorcraft demonstrator.

Brazilian helicopter operator Helisul has acquired Chilean counterpart Ecocopter to form one of the largest rotary-wing operators in Latin America.

The Brunei Defense Ministry has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters to acquire six H145Ms to replace the military’s retired fleet of BO 105s.

An audit of the in-service Airbus H160 twin-engine medium helicopter fleet confirms a lower empty weight and lower-than-anticipated fuel consumption.

Surprise Chinese attack helicopter appearance highlights worldwide trend despite increase in low-altitude threats.

Specialists are adding new services, growing their global footprint and signing new customers.

Saudi Arabia's The Helicopter Company has signed multi-year framework orders with Airbus and Leonardo for a combined 250 helicopters at Heli-Expo.

Militaries in the region are looking to evolve their attack helicopters.

Airbus believes assembling its H125 single-engine light helicopter in India will open new commercial and parapublic markets for the aircraft.

Despite losing the energy market, Airbus has sold about 100 H225s in five years and aims to repeat that before the turn of the decade.