Helicopters(Page 2)

Latest in Helicopters

A vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) aircraft design that recently emerged at the Mojave Air & Space Port in California, which TWZ was first to report on, has been identified. It is a full-scale technology demonstrator (FSTD) belonging to Hyundai subsidiary Supernal.
Future Vertical Lift

Mystery Tiltrotor Aircraft Spotted At Mojave Air And Space Port Identified

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 13, 2025

Mystery Tiltrotor Aircraft Emerges
Future Vertical Lift

Mystery Tiltrotor Aircraft Emerges

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 12, 2025

The U.S. Marine Corps transition to the VH-92A Patriot as its only helicopter for use in the "Marine One" role shuttling the president, the vice president, their families, and their closest advisors around at home and abroad, is still underway and now we know it won't be done till 2030, at the earliest.
VH-3

VH-92 Patriot Fully Taking Over Marine One Duties Has Slipped To End Of Decade

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 4, 2025

A newly released U.S. Marine Aviation Plan shows the service is now looking at a successor to its MV-22 Osprey tilt-rotors actively enough to give it a name: the Next Generation Assault Support (NGAS) aircraft.
CV-22

Hunt For A MV-22 Osprey Successor For The Marines Has Begun

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 3, 2025

The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) has banned virtually all helicopter flights around Reagan National Airport and parts of the surrounding Potomac River. This comes in the tragic collision of a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter and an American Airlines CRJ700 airliner above the river on Tuesday night.
UH-60

Nearly All Helicopter Traffic Around Reagan National Airport Has Been Shut Down

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 1, 2025

12th Army Aviation Battalion UH-60 Blackhawk helicopters fly in formation over the Potomac River in Washington to help kick off the 39th Annual Army Ten-Miler, Oct. 8, 2023. The role of the 12th Aviation Battalion is to conduct air movement and engineer technical rescue operations for senior leaders of the Army, Department of Defense, and U.S. Government while maintaining a continuous alert posture in support of the Joint Task Force - National Capital Region to sustain a rapid response, readiness, and support force capability. The Army Ten-Miler, the world's third largest 10-mile road race, promotes the Army, builds esprit de corps, supports Army fitness goals, and enhances community relations. (U.S. Army photo by Bernardo Fuller)
UH-60

Ex-Military Helicopter Pilots Explain The Challenges Of Flying Over The Capital

By Geoff Ziezulewicz, By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 31, 2025

The crew of a U.S. Army UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter involved in a mid-air collision over the Potomac River last night were training for what is known as a continuity of government mission.
UH-60

Mid-Air Collision Shines Light On Doomsday Plans For Nation’s Capital

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

Several investigations are underway into a mid-air collision that killed 67 people.
UH-60

“Elevation Issue” With UH-60 That Collided With CRJ700 Over Potomac Being Investigated: SECDEF

By Howard Altman, By Geoff Ziezulewicz, By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Jan 30, 2025

A caucasian uniformed pilot in the cockpit of a small, modern private single engine propeller aircraft landing at night with runway lights visible.
H-60

Here’s What Air Traffic Collision Avoidance Systems Can And Can’t Do

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

A commercial airliner collided with a Black Hawk helicopter over the Potomac River.
H-60

Chilling Air Traffic Control Audio From H-60 Collision With CRJ700 Over Potomac River (Updated)

By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway, By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Jan 30, 2025

U.S. Navy officials have laid out several priorities they say are key to ensuring the service's carrier air wings will be able to succeed in future conflicts, especially a high-end fight in the Pacific.
V-22

Carrier Air Wing’s Key Priorities To Win In Future Pacific Fight Laid Out By Navy

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jan 30, 2025

A U.S. Army UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter has completed initial ground runs with two of the new T901 Improved Turbine Engines. Developed under the Improved Turbine Engine Program (ITEP), the T901 was planned to power the now-canceled Future Attack Reconnaissance Aircraft (FARA) but will instead now make its way into the UH-60 and the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter.
UH-60

UH-60 Black Hawk Begins Ground Tests With Far More Powerful T901 Engines

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 29, 2025

An Air Force C-32A VIP transport jet, on a special mission for President Donald Trump, had to delay its landing at Joint Base Andrews because F-16C Vipers were scrambled to intercept a drone.
H-65

C-32 Forced To Delay Landing After F-16s Scrambled To Intercept Drone Near Capital

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 27, 2025

South Korea's domestically developed Marine Attack Helicopter (MAH) completed its first flight test in December 2024, the country's Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) announced on January 15, 2025.
Helicopters

This Is South Korea’s New Heavily Armed Marine Attack Helicopter

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 23, 2025

Navy MH-60 drone kill in the Red Sea.
MH-60/AH-60

Navy MH-60 Seahawk Helicopter Has Shot Down Its First Drone

By Hope Hodge Seck

Updated on Jan 16, 2025

Ukrainian USV Mi-8 Hip R-73 missile kill Black Sea
Mi8/Mi-17

Ukraine Claims Its Drone Boat Shot Down A Russian Mi-8 Helicopter With A Surface-To-Air Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 31, 2024

The entire fleet of U.S. V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft has been temporarily grounded after a mishap involving an AFSOC CV-22 last month at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.
CV-22

V-22s Grounded Again After Special Operations Osprey Mishap

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 9, 2024

Bell has released a rendering showing updated design concepts for vertical takeoff and landing-capable crewed and uncrewed aircraft that feature wingtip rotors that fold away during level flight.
V-22

Revised Fold-Away Rotor Aircraft Concepts Emerge From Special Operations X-Plane Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 5, 2024

An AH-64 helicopter hovers during a military drill July 28, 2003 in Yeounchun, South Korea. About 37,000 U.S. troops are stationed in South Korea under a security alliance forged after the 1950-53 Korean War.
AH-64

AH-64 Apache To Be Tested With Wing-Mounted AESA Radar

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 25, 2024

SB>1 Defiant at the Army Aviation Museum at Fort Novosel.
Future Vertical Lift

SB>1 Defiant High-Speed Helicopter Put To Rest In A Museum

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Nov 13, 2024

Boeing is pushing ahead with plans for future upgrades to the AH-64 Apache attack helicopter. While the scope of what is tentatively known as the modernized Apache have been scaled back somewhat compared to how it once looked, the company is considering the lessons of the war in Ukraine as it seeks to optimize the AH-64 so that it can continue to serve the U.S. Army into the 2060s.
AH-64

Boeing’s Plan For Modernized AH-64 Apaches Serving Into The 2060s

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 13, 2024

A total of 44 U.S. Army helicopters suffered various degrees of damage during a burst of extreme weather at Fort Carson in Colorado earlier this year.
HH-60

Dozens Of AH-64, UH-60, and CH-47 Helicopters Were Damaged In Storm At Colorado Army Base

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 28, 2024

A CH-47 Chinook from B Co "Big Windy," 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion lifts a 173rd Airborne Brigade tactical vehicle during Saber Junction 20 at Grafenwöhr Training on Aug. 5.
CH-53K

Army Confirms It’s Exploring Requirements For A New Heavy-Lift Helicopter To Replace Chinook

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 17, 2024

The U.S. Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotor is shaping up to be significantly different from the V-280 Valor from which it is derived, from its drive train to its fuselage design to the configuration of the seats inside the main cabin.
FLRAA

Army’s Future Vertical Lift Tiltrotor Will Differ Significantly From V-280 Valor It’s Based On

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 16, 2024

V280 valor long range assaults
FLRAA

Army Already Preparing For V-280 Valor To Dramatically Transform Air Assaults

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 15, 2024

China has revealed a new tiltrotor drone concept, the Zhang Ying UR6000, that has clear military potential, despite initially being pitched for civilian missions.
Future Vertical Lift

China’s Large Tiltrotor Drone Breaks Cover

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 15, 2024

Experimental Fly-By-Wire UH-60M Black Hawk To Become Autonomy Testbed
UH-60

Experimental Fly-By-Wire UH-60M Black Hawk To Become Autonomy Testbed

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 14, 2024

Aurora Flight Sciences has released new renderings of an uncrewed fan-in-wing vertical take-off-and-landing capable demonstrator aircraft it is currently working on, as well as of a revised vision for a scaled-up stealthy cargo aircraft based on the same technology.
V-22

New Vision For Lift Fan Aircraft Family Grows From Special Operations X-Plane Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 9, 2024

AH64 firing hellfire at drone
AH-64

AH-64 Apaches Practice Shooting Down Drones With Hellfire Missiles In Saudi Arabia

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Oct 3, 2024

The Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) is looking to explore concepts for a new drone capable of lugging around up to 70,000 pounds of cargo, roughly twice what the U.S. Marine Corps' CH-53K King Stallion helicopter can lift.
CH-53K

Search For Cargo Drone That Can Lift Twice As Much As A CH-53K King Stallion Kicks Off

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 25, 2024

It’s the turn of the Royal Australian Navy to provide us with a spectacular view of airborne infrared countermeasures in action, with a recent video showing a demonstration by one of its MH-60R Seahawk multi-mission maritime helicopters. In the past, TWZ has taken examined some remarkable air-launched countermeasures action, including extreme close-ups, mass drops, airshow routines, and flare ‘dumps’ from heavyweight transports. This may be the first time we’ve seen a helicopter perform this kind of pyrotechnical feat so close to a warship.
MH-60/AH-60

Australian MH-60R Helicopter Executes Stunning Flare Dump Off Stern Of Destroyer

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 10, 2024

All eyes were on presidential candidate and sitting Vice President Kamala Harris this week as the Democratic National Convention kicked off. One clip of Harris's movements, in particular, got a lot of attention from those interested in military technology — the Vice President boarding an MV-22 tiltrotor on a short trip to the convention hall.
MV-22

MV-22 Ospreys Have Actually Been Flying The Vice President For Years

By Tyler Rogoway, By Joseph Trevithick, By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 24, 2024

The U.S. Army is looking at paragliders as a way to give conventional forces, especially airborne units, new options for getting around the battlefield and surveilling enemy forces.
Future Vertical Lift

U.S. Army Has A Plan For Paragliding Paratroopers

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 20, 2024

US President Joe Biden and First Lady Jill Biden step off of Marine One, the new model Sikorsky VH-92A, upon arrival at Soldier Field Landing zone in Chicago, Illinois, on August 19, 2024. President Biden is delivering the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention opening night.
VH-92

VH-92 Helicopter Has Finally Flown Its First ‘Marine One’ Mission (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 19, 2024

Testbed for the Navy's helicopter escape system in the 1960s
Helicopters

Navy’s Cold War-Era Helicopter Crew Escape System Literally Sliced Fuselages Apart

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Aug 7, 2024

Ukrainian drone operators are increasingly taking the fight to the Russian helicopters operating over and around the battlefield, by launching direct attacks with first-person view (FPV) drones. While there has been one previous report of a Russian rotorcraft successfully being attacked by a drone and several videos showing near-misses, the increasing quantity of such incidents indicates that this is now becoming a more established practice.
Helicopters

Russian Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopter Engaged In Mid-Air By Ukrainian Drone

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 7, 2024

The entire fleet of U.S. V-22 Osprey tilt-rotor aircraft has been temporarily grounded after a mishap involving an AFSOC CV-22 last month at Cannon Air Force Base in New Mexico.
CV-22

CV-22 Osprey Crash In Japan Was Caused By Gearbox Failure

By Thomas Newdick, By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 1, 2024

Russian Telegram channels say a Russian Mi-8 transport helicopter was down by a drone, the first time that has happened.
Helicopters

Ukraine Situation Report: Russians Say Mi-8 Hip Helicopter Was Shot Down By Drone

By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 31, 2024

NATO has selected AIrbus, Leonardo and Lockheed Martin Sikorsky to provide concept studies for the Next Generation Rotor Craft.
Helicopters

NATO Selects Three Companies For Next-Generation Rotorcraft Concept Study

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jul 26, 2024

In a rare and impressive gathering, every airframe in the U.S. Coast Guard fleet converged at one location on 14 June 2024.
MH-60/AH-60

Every Coast Guard Aircraft Type Pictured Together In Rare ‘Family Photo’

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Jul 15, 2024

The Department of Energy has recieved two new AW139 helicopters specially configured for nuclear detection missions.
Helicopters

AW139 Nuclear Detection Helicopters Join Department Of Energy Fleet, Replace Bell 412s

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jul 8, 2024

Israeli AH-64 helicopter gunship pilots have provided an extensive account of their operations during the surprise attack on the country by Hamas militants last October 7. Their accounts — provided to the Israeli media — give a rare insight into the Israeli Air Force’s immediate response to the first invasion of Israeli territory since 1948.
AH-64

Israeli AH-64 Apache Commanders Describe Brutal Reality Of October 7 Missions

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jul 2, 2024

The US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has been testing Arctic and desert camouflage options on top of a now well-known multi-tone blue scheme.
MH-60/AH-60

160th SOAR Night Stalkers Testing Arctic, Desert Vinyl Camo Wraps As Global Missions Evolve

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 28, 2024

Leonardo's AW609 tiltrotor has completed a series of shipboard trials aboard the Italian carrier ITS Cavour, a major milestone in the aircraft's development.
Future Vertical Lift

AW609 Tiltrotor Has Flown From Italy’s Aircraft Carrier Cavour

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 26, 2024

The Ka-29 Helix-B helicopter was downed during a massive, multi-domain, Ukrainian drone attack
Helicopters

Russian Navy Ka-29 Assault Helicopter Downed Amid Massive Ukrainian Drone Attack

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jun 21, 2024

MH-6s belonging to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment are now flying with a multi-tone blue camouflage scheme that looks intended primarily for use in maritime operations.
MH-6/AH-6

Blue Camouflage MH-6 Little Birds Point To Night Stalkers’ Pacific Pivot

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 20, 2024

NH90 special forces helicopter has entered flight testing.
Helicopters

NH90 Special Operations Helicopter Begins Flight Testing

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jun 18, 2024

CH-53K King Stallion arrives in Yuma to join VMX-1.
CH-53K

CH-53K King Stallion Has Arrived At MCAS Yuma To Join VMX-1 Testers

By James Deboer

Posted on Jun 7, 2024

A USN EA-18G took out an Mi-24 with an AARGM.
Mi-24

EA-18G Growler Killed A Houthi Mi-24 Hind With An AGM-88E Anti-Radiation Missile

By Howard Altman, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jun 6, 2024

Airbus’ UH-72 Unmanned Logistics Connector Sets Its Sights On The USMC’s Future Fleet Requirements

Airbus’ UH-72 Unmanned Logistics Connector Sets Its Sights On The USMC’s Future Fleet Requirements

By The War Zone

Posted on May 21, 2024

A Navy Growler electronic attack jet now sports a Hind helicopter "kill mark"
Mi-24

Navy EA-18G Growler Sports Puzzling Mi-24 Hind Kill Mark Overseas

By Howard Altman, By Joseph Trevithick, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 16, 2024

Congress says the Navy's CMV-22B Ospreys can only fly 30 minutes from a divert airfield, limiting their ability to provide carrier onboard delivery services.
V-22

Navy CMV-22B Ospreys Only Allowed To Fly 30 Minutes From A Divert Airfield: Congress

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 14, 2024

The famed Little Bird helicopters used by the Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment are seeing a 'resurrection' after the Army's cancellation of the Future Armed Reconnaissance Aircraft program, but their future is still murky.
MH-6/AH-6

H-6 Little Bird’s Future Upended Due To Army Axing Armed Scout Helicopter

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 2024

The Marine Corps is now flight testing a new secretive stand-off missile for its AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters.
AH-1

Secretive Long Range Attack Missile For Marine AH-1s Is Now Being Flight Tested

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 3, 2024

Marines Osprey
MV-22

How The Marines Plan To Fly The MV-22 Osprey Into The 2060s

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 30, 2024

The Kaman Corporation has announced the first flight of its KARGO UAV, a rotary-wing drone intended for autonomous, expeditionary resupply. The design is aimed for the U.S. Marine Corps, for which Kaman previously developed the K-MAX unmanned helicopter. The KARGO UAV is now competing in the Marines’ Medium Autonomous Resupply Vehicle — Expeditionary Logistics (MARV-EL) program, with a winner due to be selected this summer.
Helicopters

Kaman’s Kargo Logistics Drone For The Marines Now In Flight Test

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Apr 30, 2024

A US Marine Corps CH-53K recently carried the stripped-down hulk of an F-35C fighter from one base to another and refueled in mid-air along the way.
CH-53K

Check Out This Marine CH-53K Carrying An F-35C While Refueling From A KC-130T

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 26, 2024

Future Vertical Lift Maritime Strike
Future Vertical Lift

How To Satisfy The Navy’s Future Vertical Lift-Maritime Strike Needs With Bell’s Rob Freeland

By Jamie Hunter, By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Apr 9, 2024

Four US Army AH-64 Apaches have crashed in the past two months, with the most recent pair of incidents coming within days of each just this week.
AH-64

Four Army AH-64 Apaches Have Now Crashed In Just Two Months

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 29, 2024

China's new Z-21 heavy attack helicopter
Helicopters

China’s New Heavy Attack Helicopter Spotted For The First Time (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 21, 2024

A German Mk 88A Super Lynx helicopter piloted by German military service members flies over the Blue Ridge-class command and control ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC 20) while participating in exercise Baltic Operations (BALTOPS) 2020 in the Baltic Sea, June 8, 2020. BALTOPS is the premier annual maritime-focused exercise in the Baltic Region, marking the 49th year of one of the largest exercises in Northern Europe enhancing flexibility and interoperability among allied and partner nations.
Helicopters

German Navy Helicopter Destroys Houthi Drone Boat

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 21, 2024

A Houthi drone pictured by a French naval helicopter shortly before being shot down
Helicopters

French Navy Helicopter Intercepting Houthi Drone Seen In New Video

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Mar 20, 2024

The Air Force wants to cut its purchases of MH-139A helicopters in half, calling into question what will happen to many units equipped with the UH-1Ns they were supposed to replace.
Helicopters

Air Force Wants To Slash MH-139 Grey Wolf Helicopter Purchases In Half

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 14, 2024

The grounding of all US military V-22 Ospreys following a crash in November 2023 has been lifted.
CV-22

V-22 Osprey Finally Cleared To Fly After Three Month Grounding

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 8, 2024