The United States Air Force has reached an important milestone in the operational introduction of its next-generation combat rescue helicopter with the deployment of the HH-60W Jolly Green II to East Africa. The aircraft arrived at Camp Lemonnier in Djibouti on 10 June as part of the deployment of the 56th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron (ERQS), marking the first operational overseas deployment of the unit since transitioning from the legacy HH-60G Pave Hawk. The deployment est

South African aviation services company National Airways Corporation (NAC) has acquired a stake in SkyConnect Leasing, marking a significant expansion of its international helicopter leasing interests. The investment was confirmed by NAC CEO JP Fourie during an interview at the company's headquarters at Lanseria International Airport. According to NAC, SkyConnect Leasing is an Irish-registered helicopter leasing firm operating from Prague, Czechia, and is deploying a fleet of

For decades, the light helicopter sector has changed relatively little compared with other areas of aviation. While advances in avionics, materials, and manufacturing have transformed commercial airliners and automobiles, many light helicopters still trace their origins to designs developed several decades ago. UK-based Hill Helicopters believes there is an opportunity to modernise this segment of the market through a combination of new technology, in-house manufacturing, and

Airbus Helicopters is advancing development of the Tiger Mk III, a major mid-life upgrade programme designed to ensure the Tiger attack helicopter remains capable of meeting the demands of future high-intensity combat operations. Developed through cooperation between France and Spain, the programme combines new avionics, sensors, communications systems and weapon capabilities with the proven performance of the existing Tiger platform. Launched in 2022 under the auspices of th

Airbus Helicopters has unveiled the U145, an autonomous, uncrewed version of its widely used H145 twin-engine helicopter, marking a significant step forward in the evolution of rotary-wing aviation. Introduced at the ILA Berlin Air Show, the U145 combines the proven performance and payload capacity of the H145 with advanced autonomous flight technologies. Airbus plans to conduct the aircraft's maiden flight, initially with a safety pilot on board, before the end of 2026, with

Bell Textron has reached a major development milestone in its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) program, successfully completing the assembly of the first two wing structures for the MV-75 Cheyenne. The achievement marks a significant step toward flight testing and eventual production of the U.S. Army’s next-generation tiltrotor aircraft. The newly completed wings will be integrated into the first two MV-75 test aircraft, advancing assembly activities as Bell moves c

By Garth Calitz Photos By Garth Calitz and Trevor Cohen Thousands of aviation enthusiasts braved the cold at Air Force Base Swartkop on Saturday, 6 June, for the annual South African Air Force (SAAF) Museum Airshow. Reports from the SA Weather Service confirmed that Friday night was the coldest night in 2026, but the subzero temperatures did not deter the 11000-odd aviation enthusiasts that qued at the gates from as early as 6 am. They were rewarded with several visiting airc

Before Bell delivered the first certified helicopter, the future of vertical flight was proven with an egg. While pilots and engineers struggled with the uncertainties of rotorcraft technology, a single demonstration showed how physics could not just make it possible, but safe. This became the spark that led Bell into pioneering a new era of aviation. A Visionary in Aviation Larry Bell’s lifelong passion for aviation led him to start the Bell Aircraft Corporation, now Bell Te

For 75 years, Bell has been woven into the industrial and aviation identity of Fort Worth, Texas, growing from a bold post-war relocation into one of the world’s best-known rotorcraft manufacturers. The company this month marked the milestone by reflecting on its long-standing relationship with the city that became the foundation for its helicopter ambitions and future military programmes. The story began in the late 1940s, when company founder Lawrence “Larry” Bell recognise

Bell Textron is reinforcing its commitment to the Australian rotorcraft market by showcasing the versatile Bell 429 at RotorTech 2026 in Brisbane, highlighting the aircraft’s growing reputation as one of the world’s leading multi-mission helicopters. As Australia’s premier vertical flight exposition, RotorTech provides a platform for manufacturers and operators to demonstrate the latest advancements in helicopter technology. Bell’s presence at the event underlines the company