Internationale Helicopter ontwikkelingen

[Harald]

The engine manufacturer announced on 4 June that that it will test the 6,000 shp T55-GA-714C version of the 4,800 shp T55-GA-714A powerplant that already powers the Chinook, demonstrating the uprated engine's 25% increase in power and 10% reduction in fuel consumption.

Dat is een significante verbetering van de prestaties !

Misschien deze motoren upgrade bij een MLU van de NL Chinooks, maar dat duurt nog wel even...

[Sparkplug]

US Army to demonstrate its upgraded Chinook engine

08 JUNE 2020 00:00 GMT+0

The US Army is to demonstrate an uprated 'next-generation' version of the Honeywell T55-GA-714 engine on a Boeing CH-47 Chinook heavy-lift helicopter.

The engine manufacturer announced on 4 June that that it will test the 6,000 shp T55-GA-714C version of the 4,800 shp T55-GA-714A powerplant that already powers the Chinook, demonstrating the uprated engine's 25% increase in power and 10% reduction in fuel consumption.

"The design improvement will be demonstrated as part of the Cooperation Research and Development Agreement process with the US Army," Honeywell said.

The installation will take place on a CH-47F testbed at Fort Eustis in Newport News, Virginia, under the supervision of the US Army Combat Capabilities Development Command Aviation and Missile Center. "The demonstration will show the ease of installation and prove out the engine's new compressor design that brings additional performance and reduces fuel burn. After that, Honeywell will complete the final qualification process for the new engine design," the company said.

No timeline for the demonstration was provided.

Honeywell has been the incumbent engine provider for the Chinook since it delivered its first 2,050 shp T55 engines for the CH-47A in 1961. With more than 900 Chinooks currently in service with the US Army and international operators, Honeywell noted that equipping this global fleet with the latest T55-GA-714C version of the engine would require no structural modifications to the helicopter.

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Honeywell, as the incumbent provider of engines for the Chinook heavy-lift helicopter, is to demonstrate an uprated variant of the T55 for the US Army. The T55-GA-714C increases the total power output from 10,000 shp to 12,000 shp

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/c5e42785-854b-4538-b5d4-48bb6189208f

[Sparkplug]

Bell reveals FARA industry team

05 JUNE 2020 00:00 GMT+0

Bell has revealed the industrial team it has lined-up to develop the company's bid to secure the US Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) requirement.

Team Invictus, as the enterprise has been named in reference to the 360 Invictus helicopter that Bell is pitching for the FARA requirement, is comprised of nine companies, which together with Bell as the prime contractor will produce the prototype submission for the US Army.

Announced on 4 June, the companies that make up Team Invictus are Astronics Corporation, Collins Aerospace, GE Aviation, ITT-Enidine Inc, L3Harris Technologies, Parker Lord, Mecaer Aviation Group, Inc, MOOG Inc, and TRU Simulation + Training.

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The Bell 360 Invictus is being pitched for the US Army's Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft requirement.

https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/40b3343a-9d41-4585-8a52-f84e03ab1187

[Harald]

Israeli Air Force Pushes Hard For Chopper Pick 

The Israeli Air Force (IAF) is putting heavy pressure on the Israeli General Staff  to reach a fast decision on the replacement of its CH-53's. The decision, now expected in a few weeks, will be brought for a final approval to the newly formed Israeli Cabinet.

To illustrate the urgency, IDF Chief of Staff Lt. General Aviv Kochavi flew last week in an old CH-53 (Yasur) in a scenario of long-range flights that moved a team of special commandos deep into "enemy" territory to demonstrate the rescue of a downed pilot.

During the flight, the commander of the IAF, Maj. General Amikam Norkin, detailed the urgent need for  a replacement in face of the threats that the IDF faces across the Israeli borders and beyond.

The IAF has evaluated two contenders –the Lockheed Martin CH-53K and the Boeing CH-47.

IAF pilots and technician teams that have flown the two heavy helicopters in the U.S have prepared comprehensive reports of their capabilities, projected availability and life cycle costs.

Ground force commanders have made it clear that the need of a new heavy helicopter is "very urgent."

The urgency became clearer earlier this year after one of the old CH-53's caught fire in flight and performed an emergency crash landing in a field in southern Israel.

The helicopter was one of three en route to a base in southern Israel for a training exercise and was flying at a height of 170 meters when the third aircraft notified the pilots of the fire in the engine. The pilots carried out the emergency landing within a minute of the fire breaking out.

All 11 soldiers from the elite Shaldag commando unit and two pilots made it out unhurt. Following the accident, the IAF grounded all its CH-53's for three weeks and launched an investigation.

The investigation found that the initial fire was caused by a disintegration of a power relay in the left engine. "Despite the fact that this malfunction had been identified by the manufacturer , the information was never passed along to the air force. The investigation team also found that the air force's maintenance procedures did not find the malfunction in the relay," the IAF said.

Lockheed Martin, which owns Sikorsky, said it was looking into the matter. "Sikorsky continues to work with the Israeli Air Force investigation authorities in respect to this incident. We will share any verified actionable information with the operating fleet. At this time we have no further comment," the company said.

The accident emphasizes, sources here say, the need to make a fast selection of the replacement of the CH-53D's that have been upgraded again and again.

The process of selecting a new helicopter has been slow in spite of the fact that there's a shortage of spares for the CH-53D's .This shortage forced the IAF to ask for a shipment of grounded helicopters kept in the U.S Marines junk yard so they could be cannibalized.

Boeing is offering the Chinook F Block 2 which is in some ways similar to the G operated by the U.S Special Forces.

This version will have an aerial refueling probe and larger fuel tanks. Israeli military sources say the version offered will be a hybrid between Chinook F and Chinook G but will boast larger fuel tanks, similar to the model currently flying in Canada.

The Chinook cockpit is expected to be fully computerized and will feature unique systems of the G-type.

The Chinook F Block 2 is in the process of receiving a number of enhancements to its digital cockpit called the Common Avionics Architecture System, or CAAS. It will also get new rotor blades engineered with composites and other materials designed to give the helicopter an additional 1,500 pounds of lift capability.

https://breakingdefense.com/2020/06/israeli-air-force-pushes-hard-for-chopper-pick/

[Sparkplug]

@RoyalNavy

Armed with Martlet missiles, a Wildcat helicopter from @RNASYeovilton flies around a range off the coast of Wales ready for the trials. The missile system will be on the Wildcats that deploy next year with @HMSQNLZ's carrier strike group

https://twitter.com/RoyalNavy/status/1264511515518021637

@RoyalNavy bericht met filmpje.

https://twitter.com/RoyalNavy/status/1264492413629931520

[Sparkplug]

@BritishArmyUSA

A momentous day. Army Air Corps Maj Simon Beattie - about to fly the first UK Apache E model from Boeing in Mesa, to Redstone for the start of testing - accompanied by CW4 Woelke, the next UK exchange officer. @ComdJHC @BoeingUK @dcomd_jhc @1st_Aviation @ArmyAirCorps #sidebyside

https://twitter.com/BritishArmyUSA/status/1262813118062886914

[Sparkplug]

Boeing expects to sign new 'Pacific' customer for Apache helo

Gareth Jennings, London - Jane's Defence Weekly
05 May 2020

Boeing expects to sign up a brand-new operator of the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter, with the company noting only that it is in "the Pacific region" of the world.

Speaking to Jane's on 5 May, Terry Jamison, Director, Vertical Lift International Sales, said that the undisclosed Pacific customer is one of two new operators for the Apache that Boeing expects to have under contract within the next 12 months. The other, which has previously been disclosed, is Morocco.

"We expect the current 16 global operators of the Apache to go up to 18 in the next 12 months as we look to add two new users to the community that we like to call Team Apache.

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Boeing expects to add Morocco and one unidentified 'Pacific' customer to the international Apache user-group within the next 12 months, and has had high-level interest from 10 other nations. (Republic of China Army)

https://www.janes.com/article/95961/boeing-expects-to-sign-new-pacific-customer-for-apache-helo

[Sparkplug]

Boeing begins Version 6 Apache deliveries (straks ook bij de KLu  )

Gareth Jennings, London - Jane's Defence Weekly
05 May 2020

Boeing has begun delivering AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters upgraded to the Version 6 configuration, the company told Jane's on 5 May.

The first of the latest-standard helicopters are now being delivered to an undisclosed international customer as they roll off the Mesa production line in Arizona, Terry Jamison, Director, Vertical Lift International Sales, said.

"We have an international customer that is the first recipient of Version 6, and we are delivering helicopters [to that customer] now. This is the standard that all customers from here on will receive," Jamison said. While Jamison declined to name the customer, he later noted that the company is on course to complete delivery to Qatar of its first batch of Apache helicopters by the end of this month, suggesting that this Middle Eastern customer might be an inaugural recipient of Version 6.

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The first Version 6 Apache helicopters are now rolling off the Mesa production line in Arizona. (Boeing)

https://www.janes.com/article/95957/boeing-begins-version-6-apache-deliveries

[Sparkplug]

US Army's upgraded UH-60V Black Hawk passes IOT&E

https://www.janes.com/article/95703/us-army-s-upgraded-uh-60v-black-hawk-passes-iot-e

Mooi hergebruik: UH-60A -> UH-60L -> UH-60V

[Harald]

US Army's upgraded UH-60V Black Hawk passes IOT&E

https://www.janes.com/article/95703/us-army-s-upgraded-uh-60v-black-hawk-passes-iot-e

[Sparkplug]

Italian Army to receive AW169 trainer helos, ahead of wider multirole procurement

Gareth Jennings, London - Jane's Defence Weekly
19 April 2020

The Italian Army is to field new AgustaWestland AW169 light utility helicopters (LUH) for pilot training, ahead of development and procurement of a new multirole variant.

The procurement, disclosed by the country's Ministry of Defence (MoD) on 14 April, solidifies an earlier announcement made in January that the AW169M was to be bought to replace the army's Bell AB 205, AB 212, and AB 412 LUHs, and to augment its Boeing CH-47F Chinook, NHIndustries NH90, AgustaWestland A129 (and later A249) helicopters.

According to the procurement document, the deal with Leonardo, which is valued at EUR337 million (USD301 million), comprises delivery of two helicopters in a 'commercial basic trainer' configuration, as well as approval for the start of development of 15 new 'advanced multirole' configuration helicopters for the Italian Army.

Included in the procurement of the trainer-configured AW169s is a two-year support service from 2022 to 2023 that will guarantee 400 flight hours per helicopter per year.

With development of the multirole version of the AW169 in its very early stages, no details have yet been released. That said, it will likely be similar in scope and capability to the AW169M (Military) that AgustaWestland pitched for the US Army's subsequently-cancelled Armed Aerial Scout (AAS) competition in 2013.

The AW169M featured a chin-mounted electro-optic/infrared (EO/IR) sensor turret, as well as side-mounted pylons for the carrying of rocket or machine gun pods. Two Pratt & Whitney PW210A engines were to provide additional power for operating in 'hot and high' conditions (the US Army has a benchmark it refers to as 6K/95, which stands for 6,000 ft/95°F, and were the conditions in which a helicopter must be able to hover out of ground-effect).

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The AW169 will first be delivered to the Italian Army in a trainer configuration, before a multirole version is developed and procured. (Leonardo)

https://www.janes.com/article/95615/italian-army-to-receive-aw169-trainer-helos-ahead-of-wider-multirole-procurement

[Harald]

Boeing set to reopen major military helicopter production hub for H-47 and MH-139

After a two-week closure due to the coronavirus pandemic, Boeing on April 20 is set to reopen the Philadelphia-area facility where the H-47 Chinook and several other military helicopters are built, the company announced on Friday.

Boeing manufactures the H-47 Chinnook cargo helicopter, the V-22 Osprey and the MH-138 Grey Wolf helicopter at its production line in Ridley Park, Pennsylvania. Operations at that installation have been suspended since April 3. During that time, the company cleaned the entire facility, Boeing said in a statement.

.../...

https://www.defensenews.com/industry/2020/04/17/boeing-set-to-reopen-major-military-helicopter-production-hub-for-h-47-and-mh-139/

[Sparkplug]

Boeing Delivers 500th AH-64E Apache Helicopter

MESA, Ariz., April 16, 2020 – Production, flight test and deliveries of the AH-64E Apache helicopter continue at the Boeing [NYSE: BA] site in Mesa, Arizona. With 500 AH-64E Apaches in service with the United States Army and defense forces around the world, the 'Echo' model provides enhanced performance; joint digital interoperability; situational awareness and survivability with reduced operational and support costs. First delivered in 2011, the AH-64E has been used in combat operations and peacekeeping efforts. Planned modernization of this multi-role combat helicopter ensures it is ready to fulfill operational requirements globally.


Apr 16, 2020
Boeing Photo

https://boeing.mediaroom.com/2020-04-16-Boeing-Delivers-500th-AH-64E-Apache-helicopter#assets_20295_130664-117

[Harald]

Royal Danish Navy enhancing MH-60R helicopters ASW capabilities

As part of the Royal Danish Navy capabilities in anti-submarine warfare (ASW), the Danish Defence Acquisition and Logistics Organisation (DALO) is now procuring sensors and torpedoes for the 723rd Squadron's nine MH-60R Seahawk helicopters.

The acquisition includes sonars, sonobuoys, sonobuoys launchers and torpedoes, as well as modification of the helicopters for the ASW role and updating the Seahawk simulator, crew and technicians training, support equipment, spare parts and more.

All systems and services are being acquired with the US Navy trough the US Foreign Military Sales (FMS) program. The corresponding contract has been awarded on February 28. 

« With the conclusion of an FMS contract for ASW equipment for the Seahawk helicopters, the armed forces will be able to establish a whole new and effective anti-submarine warfare capability, » the DALO said on April 6.

The Danish Seahawk helicopters are already pre-equipped for sonar equipment and torpedoes, so the actual modification of the helicopters to the ASW role is limited and primarily includes a software update.

Training by the US Navy and update of the Seahawk simulator is expected to begin in 2022. The ASW equipment and torpedoes are expected to be delivered in the 2023-2026 timeframe.

https://www.navalnews.com/naval-news/2020/04/royal-danish-navy-enhancing-mh-60r-helicopters-asw-capabilities/

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RN to trial MAD equipment on Merlin HM2

Richard Scott, London - Jane's Navy International
06 April 2020

The UK Royal Navy (RN) is to conduct an evaluation of the benefits that magnetic anomaly detection (MAD) equipment could offer its Merlin HM2 helicopter fleet in the anti-submarine warfare (ASW) role.

A two-year contract was awarded in March 2020 to CAE UK for the provision of two MAD-XR sensor systems and ancillaries, including training and support.

A MAD system uses a highly sensitive magnetometer to sense small changes in the earth's magnetic field. Such equipment can be used by maritime patrol aircraft and ASW helicopters to detect the disturbance in the normal earth field produced by a submarine's metallic hull.

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https://www.janes.com/article/95357/rn-to-trial-mad-equipment-on-merlin-hm2