Internationale Helicopter ontwikkelingen

[Harald]

RAF Puma helicopter replacement to be 'considered' in defence review   

The UK MoD will consider replacing the RAF's Puma helicopter fleet as part of Integrated Review plans.

The UK MoD will assess the possibility of finding a successor to the RAF's Puma HC2 medium support helicopter fleet as part of the forthcoming Integrated Review of Security, Defence, Development and Foreign Policy.

A replacement plan has long been expected to form part of RAF modernisation plans owing ...

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https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-helicopter/premium-raf-puma-helicopter-replacement-be-conside/

[Sparkplug]

Wat is het verschil tussen de NH90-MRFH en de NH90 NFH? Kan nergens echt de specs vinden of de verschillen. Alleen dat het lijkt op de  NH90 NFH.

Is in feite hetzelfde. Bij de Marineflieger wordt qua taak en naam een onderscheid gemaakt tussen de NH90 Sea Lion en de NH90 Sea Tiger.

[vlincent]

Wat is het verschil tussen de NH90-MRFH en de NH90 NFH? Kan nergens echt de specs vinden of de verschillen. Alleen dat het lijkt op de  NH90 NFH.

[Umbert]

De Duitsers gaan ook de Lynx vervangen.
https://www.scramble.nl/military-news/german-contract-for-31-airbus-sea-tigers

[Sparkplug]

Europe launches future medium-lift helicopter project

20 NOVEMBER 2020

by Gareth Jennings

Five European nations have come together to develop a new medium-lift multirole helicopter for the 2035–40 time period.

Announced by NATO on 19 November, the multinational Next Generation Rotorcraft Capability (NGRC) project will involve France, Germany, Greece, Italy, and the United Kingdom, and was officially launched with the defence ministers from all five nations signing a letter of intent (LOI) in October.

"The Next Generation Rotorcraft [Capability] project aims to develop a solution for these upcoming requirements, leveraging a broad range of recent advances in technology, production methods, as well as operational concepts," NATO said. "A significant number of medium multirole helicopter capabilities currently operated by allies will reach the end of their life-cycle in the 2035 to 2040 period and beyond, with the subsequent need for replacements."

As noted by NATO, the project is dedicated to the modernisation of existing rotorcraft fleets and is one of the alliance's High Visibility Projects (HVPs). "Over the coming years, experts from all [five] nations will cover an exhaustive programme of work, starting with defining a robust statement of requirements and a multiphase co-operation plan."

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Europe will have several medium-lift helicopter types that will be due for replacement from the mid-2030s, including the Leonardo Merlin. Five nations have launched the NGRC project to satisfy this anticipated requirement. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/europe-launches-future-medium-lift-helicopter-project

[Sparkplug]

Lithuania signs for Black Hawk helos

16 NOVEMBER 2020

by Gareth Jennings

Lithuania signed for four Sikorsky UH-60M Black Hawk transport and utility helicopters on 13 November, the country's Ministry of National Defence (MND) announced.

The USD213 million procurement, which will be paid off over five years, includes additional equipment, spares, and a training, repair, and logistical support package. The US government is providing USD30 million to support the purchase, and has cleared the sale of a further two helicopters should the Lithuanian Armed Forces request them.

"The decision to pass on to a modern western technology that meets all criteria and requirements was made in order to ensure proper readiness of armed forces to face the challenges of modern armed conflicts, as well as excellent compatibility and interoperability with allies. The new platform will fully substitute for the [Mil] Mi-8Ts currently used by the Lithuanian Armed Forces. The Soviet-made helicopter fleet is in its thirties, and its airworthiness has come to the deadline, its operation is also difficult: expensive maintenance, prone to failures, risky repair because of complicated provision of spares from Russia," the MND said.

News of the contract came some four months after the US State Department approved the sale to Lithuania of six Black Hawks for USD380 million. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) notification on 6 July followed an announcement by the MND in late 2019 that the country was to begin negotiations with the US government to acquire the Black Hawks to replace three Soviet-made Mi-8 'Hips' and three French-built Aerospatiale AS365 N3+ Dauphins.

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Lithuania is set to become the latest Black Hawk operator, with the purchase of four helicopters announced on 13 November. (Janes/Patrick Allen)

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/lithuania-signs-for-black-hawk-helos

https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/lithuania-uh-60m-black-hawk-helicopters

[Kornet43]

Zie het Janes artikel hierover in reactie #606.

Hadden wij dat ook maar gedaan!

[Sparkplug]

Leonardo AW169M für das Bundesheer  (Oostenrijk gaan hun ALOUETTE III helicopters vervangen door 18 stuks AW169M)

http://www.doppeladler.com/da/oebh/leonardo-aw169m-fuer-das-bundesheer/

(artikel in het Duits)

Zie het Janes artikel hierover in reactie #606.

[Harald]

Leonardo AW169M für das Bundesheer  (Oostenrijk gaan hun ALOUETTE III helicopters vervangen door 18 stuks AW169M)

http://www.doppeladler.com/da/oebh/leonardo-aw169m-fuer-das-bundesheer/

(artikel in het Duits)

[Sparkplug]

Info over de XM301.

https://www.gd-ots.com/armaments/aircraft-guns-gun-systems/xm301/

https://www.gd-ots.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/11/XM301.pdf

[Harald]

U.S. Army acquires AH-1W for testing of XM915 20mm Gatling gun

A U.S. Marine Corps AH-1W gunship has now retired to Picatinny Arsenal whereby it will be use as a laboratory for the XM915 20mm Gatling gun.

It was flown from NAS Joint Reserve Base New Orleans to Picatinny Arsenal by Marines Lt. Col. Mark Diss and Capt. Garrett Peirce.

The U.S. Army plans to fit the XM915 on its Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft.

https://www.army.mil/article/240528

XM915 is een doorontwikkeling van de XM301 20mm . De AH-1Z Viper heeft een ander kanon, namelijk de M197 20 mm, ook 3 loops kanon

General Dynamics' new XM915 20mm cannon, which is an evolution of the lightweight three-barrel XM301 it developed in the 1990s for the abortive RAH-66A Comanche stealthy armed scout helicopter. The XM301 was itself a derivative of the iconic six-barrel M61 Vulcan cannon and the earlier three-barrel M197 variant.

[Sparkplug]

USAF's First HH-60W Jolly Green II Arrives at Moody

By Public Affairs staff, 23d Wing / Published November 06, 2020

MOODY AIR FORCE BASE, Ga. --
The 23rd Wing and 347th Rescue Group leadership received the Air Force's first two HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia, Nov. 5, 2020.

Aircrew from the 41st Rescue Squadron out of Moody and the 413th Flight Test Squadron and 88th Test and Evaluation Squadron, both at Duke Field, Florida, flew the aircraft from Lockheed Martin's Sikorsky Training Academy.

The HH-60W comes equipped with a wide range of capabilities that will ensure its crews continue carrying out their critical combat search and rescue and personnel recovery operations for all U.S. military services and allies in contested and diverse environments.  The Jolly Green II features advanced and improved defensive systems, vulnerability reduction, hover performance, electrical capacity, avionics, cooling, weapons, cyber-security, environmental and net-centric requirements.

The primary mission of the HH-60W helicopter will be conducting day or night operations into hostile environments to recover isolated personnel during war. The platform will also be tasked to perform military operations other than war, including civil search and rescue, medical evacuation, disaster response, humanitarian assistance, security cooperation/aviation advisory, NASA space flight support, and rescue command and control.

The delivery of the new model is significant to the personnel recovery mission as it begins the transition from the predecessor, the HH-60G Pave Hawk model, which has been flown for more than 26 years. The Air Force will continue to utilize the HH-60G model until the transition is complete.


An HH-60W Jolly Green II taxis Nov. 5, 2020, at Moody Air Force Base, Georgia. The 23d Wing and 347th Rescue Group leadership received the Air Force's first two HH-60Ws. The delivery of the new model is significant to the personnel recovery mission as it begins the transition from the predecessor, the HH-60G Pave Hawk model, which has been flown for more than 26 years. The Air Force will continue to utilize the Pave Hawk until the transition is complete. (U.S. Air Force photo by Andrea Jenkins)

https://www.acc.af.mil/News/Article-Display/Article/2407537/usafs-first-hh-60w-jolly-green-ii-arrives-at-moody/

Filmpjes via onderstaande links.

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/771895/air-force-moody-receive-first-jolly-green-ii

https://www.dvidshub.net/video/771904/air-force-moody-receive-jolly-green-ii

[Sparkplug]

Thales & Rheinmetall Unveil Digital 70mm Rocket Launcher

Jack Richardson

2. November 2020

Thales, in partnership with Rheinmetall, has unveiled a new 70 mm rocket launcher after a series of tests conducted in the summer of 2020 in Herstal, Belgium, demonstrated the high level of technological readiness provided by the new solution. The FZ606 is a six-tube rocket launcher for FZ275 laser-guided rockets and the first product of its kind to offer a Lock On Before Launch capability.

The FZ606 can deliver six type FZ275 guided rockets or a combination of guided and unguided rockets. The Lock On Before Launch function, usually only available in missile systems, offers significantly higher reliability and safety than conventional 70 mm rocket systems, delivering weapons even within the most restrictive rules of engagement. This means helicopter crews can be sure that the weapon is successfully locked on to its target before it leaves the platform, reducing risks to military personnel and to the surrounding area. Design, development and production of the new NATO-calibre system are part of a European collaborative project conducted by Thales and Rheinmetall under a partnership agreement signed by the two companies at the end of 2019.

The new rocket launcher is designed to equip latest-generation attack and fire support helicopters on new or retrofit programmes such as the German TIGER UHT upgraded to the Airbus Helicopters TIGER Mk III standard. Thales' 70 mm rocket systems are already in service in more than 30 countries on 25 different platform types.



https://euro-sd.com/2020/11/articles/exclusive/19655/thales-rheinmetall-fz606/

[Sparkplug]

LM contracted to build MH-60R helos for Greece

28 OCTOBER 2020

by Gareth Jennings

Lockheed Martin has been contracted to build four MH-60R Seahawk maritime multimission helicopters for Greece, the US Department of Defense (DoD) announced on 26 October.

The USD193.98 million award covers production and delivery of the four helicopters for the Hellenic Navy, as well as exercising an option to procure three Airborne Low Frequency Systems (ALFS).

Work is expected to be completed in February 2025.

News of the award comes some 16 months after the US State Department approved the sale of seven MH-60R helicopters to Greece, as well as spares, systems, weapons, training, and support, for an estimated USD600 million.

"The MH-60R helicopters will bolster the Hellenic Navy's ability to support NATO and remain interoperable with the US and the NATO alliance. The proposed sale will improve Greece's capability to meet current and future threats. The MH-60R multimission helicopter will provide the capability to perform anti-surface and anti-submarine warfare missions along with the ability to perform secondary missions including vertical replenishment, search and rescue, and communications relay," the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA) said in its July 2019 approval notification.

Specifically, the systems to be provided comprise the ALFS; AN/AAS-44C(V) Multi-Spectral Targeting Systems; Embedded Global Positioning System/Inertial Navigation Systems with Selective Availability/Anti-Spoofing Module (SAASM); AN/AVS-9 night-vision goggles; and 1,000 AN/SSQ-36/53/62 sonobuoys. Weapons include 100 BAE Systems Advanced Precision Kill Weapons System (APKWS) guided-rockets; 30 Mk 54 torpedoes; as well as M240 and GAU-21 crew-served guns. Lockheed Martin AGM-114 M36-E9 Hellfire captive air-training missiles and AGM-114Q Hellfire training missiles have been requested, but the live-fire missiles have not.

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Greece is to receive four of the seven MH-60R Seahawk helicopters it has been approved to buy, with a USD193.98 million contract announced on 26 October. (US Navy)

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/lm-contracted-to-build-mh-60r-helos-for-greece

https://www.dsca.mil/press-media/major-arms-sales/greece-mh-60r-multi-mission-helicopters

[Sparkplug]

UNITED STATES MARINES RETIRE BELL AH-1W AFTER 34 YEARS OF SERVICE

19 October 2020, 09:03 (CDT)

USMC Super Cobra Fleet Successfully Delivers More Than 900,000 Flight Hours

FORT WORTH, Texas (Oct. 19, 2020) – The United States Marine Corps, USMC, have officially retired the Bell AH-1W "Super Cobra" from their ranks after more than 30 years of dependable service. The iconic dual-blade aircraft served as the dedicated attack helicopter for the Marines through multiple campaigns, including Operation Desert Storm, Iraqi Freedom, and Enduring Freedom.

"The AH-1W Super Cobra has served admirably and leaves a remarkable legacy of on-time, on-target attack helicopter support for our Marines," said Col. David Walsh, the program manager for Light/Attack Helicopter Programs (PMA-276). "Although the AH-1W chapter is closing, the AH-1Z Viper stands ready with even greater capability to support our Marines for years to come."

Originally designated as the AH-1T+, the Super Cobra first flew on November 16, 1983 at Bell's Flight Research Center in Arlington, Texas. Bell delivered the first AH-1Ws to the Marines on March 27, 1986 and delivered the final aircraft in 1999, for a domestic fleet of 179 attack helicopters. Through August 2020, the USMC flew the Super Cobra for 933,614 hours. 

"We are tremendously proud of the capabilities the AH-1W has brought to the United States Marines for the past 34 years," said Michael Deslatte, H-1 Bell Program Manager. "The Super Cobra's tremendous legacy is a testament to the excellence and dedication the men and women at Bell put into these platforms for generations and we look forward to continuing that legacy for years to come."

AH-1Ws remanufactured into AH-1Z Vipers will continue to serve in the United States Marines. The four-bladed Viper replaces the Super Cobra as the successor to the modern attack helicopter platform and provides fully-integrated air-to-air and anti-armor capabilities designed to successfully accomplish the broadest array of contemporary missions.

https://news.bellflight.com/en-US/192399-united-states-marines-retire-bell-ah-1w-after-34-years-of-service