Internationale Helicopter ontwikkelingen

[Umbert]

Royal Navy Wildcat fires the first operational Martlet missile

https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-wildcat-fires-the-first-operational-martlet-missile/

En toch blijf ik erbij dat deze heli erg goed op onze schepen uit de voeten had gekund vooral op de OPV en een 1 a 2 op de LPD's en CSS en hadden we de NH90 mooi op de fregatten kunnen doen of een wildcat mee sturen als we weer eens op reis gaan met de Britten, sta je in elk geval met iets ipv nu helemaal niets omdat de NH90 uit de toon lag als einzelganger.

[Sparkplug]

Royal Navy Wildcat fires the first operational Martlet missile

https://www.navylookout.com/royal-navy-wildcat-fires-the-first-operational-martlet-missile/

[Harald]

US Army unveils new Black Hawk variant   UH-60V 

https://airrecognition.com/index.php/news/defense-aviation-news/2021/october/7726-us-army-unveils-new-black-hawk-variant.html

[Sparkplug]

Boeing Signs First CH-47F Block II Chinook Production Contract

- Modernization sets the stage for the U.S. Army's future heavy-lift readiness


Oct 1, 2021
Currently in flight test, the CH-47F Block II Chinook brings critical modernization upgrades to the Army's Chinook fleet. (Boeing photo)

PHILADELPHIA, Oct. 4, 2021- Boeing [NYSE: BA] and the U.S. Army have signed a $136 million contract for the first CH-47F Block II Chinooks.

The Army exercised options for four contracted CH-47F Block II Chinooks with the aircraft scheduled for delivery beginning 2023. Separately, the Army awarded Boeing a $29 million advanced procurement contract for the second production lot of CH-47F Block II aircraft.

The Block II Chinook features multiple upgrades aimed at providing additional lift capability and increasing commonality between U.S. and allied fleets, thus reducing maintenance costs.

"This is a big step in Chinook modernization, supporting the Army's future multi-domain vision," said Andy Builta, vice president of Cargo & Utility Helicopters and H-47 program manager. "The Block II technologies will drive commonality across the fleet and enable our soldiers to return home safely for decades."

https://boeing.mediaroom.com/news-releases-statements?item=130937#assets_20295_130937-117

[Sparkplug]

Upgrading CHINOOK in Europe (Noorwegen en Zwitserland hebben blijkbaar ook interesse)

https://euro-sd.com/2021/10/articles/exclusive/23997/upgrading-chinook-in-europe/

[Sparkplug]

@RAeSTimR (Tim Robinson)

Brand-spanking new AAC Boeing AH-64E Apache - along with JAGM and Hellfire missiles. #DSEI2021

(Klik op afbeelding voor vergroting)


https://twitter.com/RAeSTimR/status/1438044514808180739

[Harald]

NATO admits Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability could be FVL solution

NATO's Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) effort might not lead to a common medium-class helicopter being made by a European manufacturer.

A NATO official has revealed to Shephard that the alliance's Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) programme could result in a Future Vertical Lift (FVL) aircraft eventually being selected.

Despite the US only holding NGRC observer status, five European partner nations involved in the effort have already agreed to open a communications channel with FVL officials, according to the NATO source.

US representatives have also been part of all NGRC meetings to date.

'[A] decision on the preferred solution is obviously open and I would not be surprised if American industry made a bid for the project, FVL is a potential outcome,' the official added.

NATO's Support and Procurement Agency (NSPA) will host the first NGRC industry day at its Capellen, Luxembourg headquarters 'next week', when rotary-wing manufacturers and suppliers are set to discuss digital backbone issues and 'building blocks' of new helicopter designs.

'As soon as there's industry data, we will then kick off the concept phase, where we then look at potential solutions that are on the table and assess them,' the NATO spokesperson confirmed. 'Hopefully that will lead to a recommended solution, which would lead to a development phase.'

NGRC is intended to produce a common medium-class helicopter for NATO allies.

Production of the new aircraft has also been scheduled for 2035-2040 to coincide with the out of service date of Europe's major rotary-wing fleets, including the NHIndustries NH90.

That timeline aligns well with the US Army's Future Long Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) programme involving Bell's V-280 Valor tiltrotor and the SB>1 Defiant X co-axial design, which is expected to see a winner declared in FY2022 and a First Unit Equipment (FUE) milestone met by FY2030.

There are no limits set on additional NATO nations joining NGRC but entry depends on approval from existing members.

Two other interested parties outside of France, Germany, Greece, Italy and the UK are considering signing on and could do so when an MoU is signed in Q1 or Q2 2022.

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air-warfare/dsei-2021-nato-admits-next-generation-rotorcraft-c/

[Harald]

Leonardo reveals the first members of Team AW149 UK, the onshore supply chain behind the AW149

Leonardo has announced the launch of Team AW149 UK, its onshore supply chain for the AW149 helicopter. Featuring more than 70 companies from England, Scotland, Wales and Northern Ireland, Leonardo's AW149 supply chain represents a cross-section of the best in British engineering and manufacturing.


At the DSEI 2021 exhibition in London taking place this week, Leonardo has spotlighted nine of these companies, all of which are supporting the AW149 as 'the UK choice' for the Ministry of Defence's New Medium Helicopter requirement. Representing towns and cities from across the UK, from South Shields to Gosport, each company provides a vital component to the AW149 military helicopter, from lights to avionics systems and other hardware and software components.

The companies revealed today as Team AW149 UK members are Abaco Systems, Aerco, Chelton, Ford Aerospace, Forged Solutions, Incora, LFD, RDDS Avionics and Techtest Limited.

Nick Whitney, Managing Director of Leonardo Helicopters (UK), said "I am delighted to have the opportunity today to introduce Team AW149 UK and highlight some of the leading small and medium-sized British companies who will be involved in delivering the AW149 for the UK Armed Forces should we be selected. The companies we're spotlighting today are diverse in what they do and where they're located but they and we at Leonardo have one important thing in common, which is a commitment to providing the UK Armed Forces with the most modern, capable and cost-effective medium helicopter to meet their operational needs."

The announcement comes as Leonardo puts forward its medium multi-role AW149 helicopter for the UK's New Medium Helicopter requirement, which will see the UK Armed Forces replacing four helicopter types including the Puma HC2 by mid-2025. The AW149 is a safe, agile and robust platform, which can be reconfigured for a wide range of demanding missions in the most severe operational environments. Should the UK choose the Leonardo AW149, the company has pledged to build the new fleet on a cutting-edge production line in Yeovil, Somerset, with between 60-70% of the platform's content and through-life support being carried out onshore in the UK at Leonardo and through UK suppliers. This would represent an investment in UK skills, design and manufacturing, supporting thousands of jobs, creating jobs across the country and helping reverse the damage to the economy caused by Covid-19.

Leonardo also estimates a large and accessible export market for a British-made medium helicopter of over 500 aircraft. By choosing the AW149, the world-renowned UK Armed Forces would become a reference customer for the product, making the AW149 a desirable choice for global allies. This could help deliver billions of pounds worth of export sales for Leonardo with beneficial knock-on effects for its supply chain and the wider UK economy.

The Team AW149 UK members play a vital role in the latest-generation AW149. These companies form part of a network of more than 70 UK-based businesses that contribute to the existing AW149 platform. Leonardo continues to work across industry to grow its UK supply chain to meet the potential needs of the nation's New Medium Helicopter requirement.

AW149 Team UK (alphabetically):
"Abaco Systems has a long-established presence in the UK and over 300 employees in manufacturing, R&D, sales and customer support between our Edinburgh office and our UK Towcester List X site. Our relationship with Leonardo resulted in its use of our technology for the Obstacle Proximity LIDAR System (OPLS) and the development of a mission display computer. Combinations of these systems are deployed on many of Leonardo's helicopter series. We're honoured to continue the relationship with the AW149 and future programmes," John Muller, Chief Growth Officer at Abaco. In the UK, Abaco is based in Edinburgh, Lothian and Towcester, Northamptonshire.

"Aerco is delighted to be part of the Leonardo AW149 Team which is focussed on the delivery of yet another great helicopter series designed and manufactured by the UK's aviation industry," Rob Laughton, Managing Director of Aerco, based in Horsham, West Sussex.

"Being a British company, Chelton is immensely proud to supply our highly engineered advanced avionic systems to a platform built here in the UK. Partners such as Leonardo secure hundreds of jobs across our three UK locations,' Luca Pelazzo, Antennas Business Unit Manager at Chelton, based in Marlow, Buckinghamshire.

"From South Shields to Yeovil, Ford Aerospace Ltd provides Leonardo Helicopters with a top class manufacturing service for all small precision machined, pressed, and laminate components. As a trusted UK partner of Leonardo we are delighted to be involved in the AW149 team and be able to represent the best of UK manufacturing," Chris Ford, Managing Director of Ford Aerospace Ltd, based in South Shields, Tyne and Wear.

"Forged Solutions Group manufactures shafts, rings, discs, asymmetric forgings and extruded cylinders in a range of titanium, nickel, and steel alloys. We have a global blue-chip customer base for whom we are a trusted, high-quality turnkey supplier known for our unique forging capability and ingenuity. We have particular expertise and a long history of supplying components to the aerospace sector including multiple helicopter platforms such as the Leonardo AW149," said Ben McIvor, President of Forged Solutions Group, based in Sheffield, South Yorkshire.

"Incora is proud to have been supply partner to Leonardo for many years in the UK providing lineside chemical management services and hardware to its Yeovil and Edinburgh locations. We are delighted to support the exciting AW149 campaign with our full range of hardware, chemical and electrical products and JIT lineside and kitting services," Mike Cox
General Manager – UK at Incora, based in Mirfield, West Yorkshire.

"LFD has been fortunate to work in a close and successful relationship with Leonardo Helicopters. Leonardo has generously given its support to help LFD in designing and developing world beating aircraft lighting systems. LFD supplies lighting kits for most Leonardo platforms including the AW149, AW159, and AW101. As a small team of 15 staff we are proud and appreciative of our relationship with Leonardo and its support to the UK aerospace industry," LFD's Managing Director, Len Fleck, based in Gosport, Hampshire.

"Here at RDDS we have been supplying rugged, mission-ready electronics to Leonardo for over ten years and we are incredibly proud to be continuing our long standing relationship into the future with the AW149 Team. Video management hardware and control panels have been a core pillar of our business for over 25 years and we look forward to strengthening and innovating even further with Leonardo and the flight teams across the world who rely on our equipment to support their missions," Marcus Harland, RDDS Business Development, based in Margate, Kent.

"For over a decade now, Techtest Limited has supplied crash position indicators and a range of antennas to Leonardo, with installations on all major platforms. The installation of the crash position indicator on the AW149 [potentially] for the UK MoD is the next step in our long-standing relationship,' Jake Ford, Global Sales Manager for Techtest Limited, part of the HR Smith Group, based in Leominster, Herefordshire.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/dsei_2021_news_official_land_zone_publication_online_show_daily/dsei_2021_leonardo_reveals_the_first_members_of_team_aw149_uk_the_onshore_supply_chain_behind_the_aw149.html

[Harald]

NATO advances next-generation helicopter project as NGRC team grows to seven nations   ( Nederland joint de groep... hopelijk hebben ze geleerd van het proces met de NH90 ) 

Negotiations covering the text of the legally binding memorandum of understanding for the concept phase of the Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) project were concluded on 8 September, NATO says.

Participants in the two-day process included "NATO staff as well as legal advisors and experts from seven nations", the alliance adds.

"We are looking to have the document signed during the first half of 2022 in order to kick off the concept phase," NATO adds.

In November 2020 five countries – France, Germany, Greece, Italy and the UK – signed a letter of intent signaling their participation in the project. They have now been joined by the Netherlands and Spain.

NATO earlier this year released details of the "required attributes" for the NGRC, which include a common baseline airframe for a variety of missions.

"We would like to get away from multiple variants of the same basic airframe as far as possible," says Collins.

In addition, the NGRC should be "much more cost-effective than current fleets", says Collins, achieving a fly-away cost of no more than €35 million ($41.3 million) and an operating cost no greater than €10,000 per flight hour. Availability also needs to improve over current-generation types, with a target of 75% for the operational/forward fleet.

Speed is also a priority. NATO is seeking a cruise speed of 220kt (407km/h), which would need to be achieved through an "advanced configuration".

However, it has also set a minimum speed threshold of 180kt. Collins says this could allow more conventional designs to be offered. "This [threshold] is probably achievable but would require a fairly slippery airframe with conformal sensors – it is quite different to what we have at the moment."

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/nato-advances-next-generation-helicopter-project-as-ngrc-team-grows-to-seven-nations/145415.article

[StrataNL]

Mooi toestel, is dit ook een geschikte vervanger van de Cougar of andere klasse?

Klasse lichter dan de Cougar, kun je beter naar de AW149 kijken.

[bergd]

Mooi toestel, is dit ook een geschikte vervanger van de Cougar of andere klasse?

[Harald]

Leonardo presents HH-139 helicopter for future program of Polish armed forces

At the International Defense Industry Exhibition MSPO in Poland, the Italian company Leonardo presents its HH-139 helicopter used by the Italian Air Force which is a customized variant of the AW139 helicopter platform. Leonardo has proposed to develop the AW139W for the Polish armed forces based on the AW139 platform proposed by Leonardo through the Polish company PZL-Świdnik.

The AW139 is a 15-seat medium-sized twin-engine helicopter developed and built by AgustaWestland who is now part of Leonardo. The AW139 is a conventional twin-engine multi-role helicopter. It has a five-bladed fully articulated main rotor with a titanium hub and composite blades and a four-bladed articulated tail rotor. It is fitted with retractable tricycle landing gear, the two aft wheels retracting into external sponsons which are also used to house emergency equipment.

The AW139M – military version of the AW139 – has been designed to perform a wide range of missions, day and night, in the most challenging environments. Operators worldwide benefit from advanced technology, high power margins and inherent high levels of safety and survivability.

The AW139M helicopter carries a wide range of weapon systems based on the mission requirements. The helicopter can be armed with 12.7mm sniper rifle and 7.62mm and 12.7mm machine guns for law enforcement and homeland security roles. The battlefield support can also carry heavy machine guns, 70mm air-to-ground rockets and air-to-surface missiles.

The AW139M is powered by two Pratt & Whitney PT6C-67C turboshaft engines equipped with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system. Each engine develops a rated take-off power of 1,252kW. It can fly at a maximum cruise speed of 306 km/h and has a cruising range of up to 1,250 km with 1,65 4kg fuel and no reserve. The maximum endurance of the AW139M is about six hours.

https://www.armyrecognition.com/mspo_2021_news_official_show_daily/mspo_2021_leonardo_presents_hh-139_helicopter_fo_future_program_of_polish_armed_forces.html

[Enforcer]

Dit antwoord had ik alwel verwacht  , de A versie is/wordt gebruikt voor helicopter vlieg trainingen.
Maar idd niet voor gevechtstaken.

De H145M van de Duitsers is nog wel leuk.

[Harald]

De UH-72 Lakota is ook voor ondersteunende taken en niet voor gevechtstaken. Gezien de discussie over Fenestron is het wel begrijpelijk dat ze het op dit moment alleen nog voor ondersteunende helikopters toelaten.

Dit antwoord had ik alwel verwacht  , de A versie is/wordt gebruikt voor helicopter vlieg trainingen.
Maar idd niet voor gevechtstaken.

[Sparkplug]

Airbus delivers first UH-72B Lakota, with shrouded tail rotor, to the US Army National Guard  (    nu wel met Fenestron staart rotor ? )

.../...

https://www.flightglobal.com/helicopters/airbus-delivers-first-uh-72b-lakota-with-shrouded-tail-rotor-to-the-us-army-national-guard/145367.article

De UH-72 Lakota is ook voor ondersteunende taken en niet voor gevechtstaken. Gezien de discussie over Fenestron is het wel begrijpelijk dat ze het op dit moment alleen nog voor ondersteunende helikopters toelaten.