Spain has taken a decisive step in reshaping its military aviation capabilities, announcing an order for 100 Airbus helicopters as part of an ambitious national modernisation programme. Formalised on 18 December 2025 in Albacete, the contracts represent the largest single helicopter acquisition ever undertaken by the Directorate General for Armament and Material (DGAM) of the Spanish Ministry of Defence and form a central pillar of the National Helicopter Plan unveiled earlie

Australia is a country celebrated for its breathtaking beauty and hospitable nature, but it is also marked by its extremes. Vast deserts stretch for hundreds of kilometres, rugged coastlines confront harsh seas, and bushland gives way to ravines and mountain ranges that challenge even experienced travellers. For emergency medical services (EMS) operators, the main threat isn't just the terrain or wildlife; it's the distance. When accidents or medical emergencies occur, patien

Robinson Helicopter Company (RHC) is making a strong case for its R66 turbine helicopter as the future of military initial rotary-wing training. The Torrance, California-based manufacturer recently announced that a combined fleet of just six R66 aircraft has surpassed 2,300 total flight hours in less than 7 months of operation. This substantial accumulation of flight time is currently being logged across a spectrum of U.S. military training efforts involving Army, Navy, Coast

By Garth Calitz Not many helicopters have made as big a mark on modern aviation as the Bell 206 JetRanger. With its sleek look, dependable performance and amazing versatility, it's been setting the standard in the light-utility helicopter world for over sixty years. Whether it's helping out news crews, keeping an eye on cities, flying VIPs, training pilots or even serving on military front lines, the JetRanger has become one of the most recognisable and trusted aircraft aroun

By Garth Calitz Denel, South Africa's national defence tech group, claims to be bouncing back from a really tough period and feels it is gradually getting back on track. Thanks to strong support from its new shareholder, the Department of Defence (Read the SA Taxpayer), Denel is rolling out a plan to attempt to turn things around. The goal is to get back to top performance, win back trust from stakeholders and set the company up for long-term stability and growth. The latest

Enstrom Helicopter Corporation has made significant progress in its revitalisation efforts by announcing that its 480B turbine-powered helicopter has achieved full certification from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for its crash-resistant fuel system (CRFS). This approval represents a milestone for the Michigan-based company and advances rotorcraft safety, as Enstrom reenters the U.S. market with renewed energy and an improved product. The certification adheres to a

Bell Textron, in a fruitful long-term partnership with Safran Helicopter Engines, has announced a major milestone in sustainable aviation: a single Bell 505 helicopter has surpassed 700 flight hours using blended Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF). This accomplishment, revealed at the European Rotors 2025 event in Cologne, Germany, highlights Bell's steadfast dedication to sustainability and its pioneering role in integrating eco-friendly practices into its flight operations. Th

For all the Chopper enthusiasts, Robinson Helicopter Company has released its highly anticipated book, Climb Higher: Worldwide Adventures with Robinson Helicopters . The publication marks a milestone moment for the iconic California-based manufacturer, chronicling nearly five decades of engineering excellence, industry disruption, and a steadfast commitment to making helicopter flight accessible to pilots around the world. "Climb Higher" tells the story of Frank D. Robinson,

Two US Navy aircraft from the USS Nimitz crashed in separate incidents within half an hour of each other over the South China Sea, prompting parallel investigations into one of the most unusual operational mishaps to strike a US carrier air wing in recent years. According to statements from the US Pacific Fleet, an MH-60R Sea Hawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter jet went down roughly 30 minutes apart during routine operations on Sunday afternoon. Both crashes o

By Garth Calitz In just ten months, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company, has reimagined the iconic UH-60L Black Hawk into a fully autonomous aircraft system: the S-70UAS U-Hawk. This next-generation unmanned helicopter marks a significant leap forward in vertical lift autonomy, offering 25% more cargo space and a design tailored for flexibility, endurance, and affordability. Unveiled at the Association of the United States Army (AUSA) exposition, the U-Hawk demonstrates how a