Helicopters (Page 2)

Latest in Helicopters

Kamikaze drones operated by an Iran-backed militia in Iraq appear to have struck a U.S. military Black Hawk helicopter and an air defense radar at an American base in Iraq.
HH-60

Drone Attack On Parked U.S. Army Black Hawk In Iraq A Harbinger Of What’s To Come

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 25, 2026

MV-75 will be entering service much fast than originally planned.
FLRAA

MV-75 Tiltrotor Already Part Of Army Officer Training, General Says

By Hope Hodge Seck

Updated on Mar 24, 2026

The latest addition to the legendary X-plane family is Bell Textron’s demonstrator for the Speed and Runway Independent Technologies (SPRINT) program. The chosen X-76 designation (for the year 1776) is intended to reflect the 250th anniversary of the United States. Meanwhile, there is much hope that HSVTOL could eventually provide the U.S. military, and potentially other operators, with a high-speed, runway-independent special operations airlifter.
Helicopters

Bell’s X-76 Fold-Away Rotor Aircraft Is DARPA’s Newest X-Plane

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Mar 9, 2026

As well as being a key component of Russia’s attack helicopter force in the war in Ukraine, the Mil Mi-28 Havoc has been in the news recently on account of its apparent delivery to Iran. One less-known aspect of the Mi-28 is its ability to transport two or three passengers in a fuselage compartment, a feature that is seen clearly in a recently published video of the rotorcraft.
Helicopters

Russia’s Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopter Has Tiny Crew Compartment To Pick Up Downed Pilots

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 23, 2026

The U.S. Marine Corps is aiming to acquire a new single "capability" to fill gaps left by the retirement of its AV-8 Harrier jump jets, AH-1Z and UH-1Y helicopters, and legacy F/A-18C/D Hornet fighters.
AH-1

New Vision To Fill Gaps After AV-8B Harrier And AH-1Z Viper Retirements Laid Out By Marines

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 20, 2026

AH-64 has tested APEX proximity fuse rounds
AH-64

AH-64 Apache Is Getting Proximity Fuzed 30mm Cannon Ammo For Swatting Down Drones

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 16, 2026

Video has emerged that is said to show a Russian-made Mi-28NE Havoc attack helicopter flying over the Iranian capital Tehran.
Helicopters

Evidence Of Mi-28 Havoc Attack Helicopters Delivered To Iran Grows

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 4, 2026

The U.S. Army has confirmed to TWZ that it plans to start fielding its new MV-75 tiltrotors in 2027.
Future Vertical Lift

Army Punches Its MV-75 Tiltrotor Program Into Overdrive

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 16, 2026

An Israeli CH-53 Sea Stallion military helicopter transporting the released Israeli hostages formerly held captive in Gaza since the 2023 October 7 attacks by Palestinian militants is pictured above the helipad at Sheba Tel-HaShomer Medical Centre in Ramat Gan on October 13, 2025.
UH-60

Israeli CH-53 Dropping Stricken UH-60 During Sling-Load Mishap Caught On Video

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 16, 2026

Developed during the Cold War, the Hind-G1 was a dedicated NBC reconnaissance version of the Mi-24, first flown in prototype form in 1978.
Mi-24

The Story Of Ukraine’s Rare Mi-24 Hind Radiation Detection Helicopters

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Jan 10, 2026

The Little Bird's small size and incredible transportability mean that it can appear from virtually anywhere, on land or at sea, and are among the capabilities that have long endeared the type to the U.S. Army’s elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR).
MH-6/AH-6

Night Stalker MH-6 Little Bird’s Ability To Appear Out Of Nowhere Highlighted In Tanker Raid

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 7, 2026

Despite parallels drawn between the two operations, one asset that featured prominently in the Bin Laden mission in 2011 that looks to have been notably absent in the force that descended on Caracas over the weekend is stealthy Black Hawk helicopters.
MH-60/AH-60

Why Stealth Black Hawks Weren’t Used For Maduro Capture Mission

By Joseph Trevithick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 6, 2026

U.S. Army MH-60 Black Hawks assigned to the 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment approach Marine Corps Outlying Field Atlantic during a forward arming and refueling point exercise, MCOLF Atlantic, May 6, 2025. U.S. Army Soldiers and aircraft from the 160th SOAR utilized MCAS Cherry Point’s training area to conduct a FARP. This training is essential for enhancing the unit’s operational readiness and ensuring efficient support for rapid deployment, as Cherry Point provides the facilities and resources to simulate real world scenarios.
MH-60/AH-60

This Is What The Night Stalkers’ MH-60M Direct Action Penetrator Brought To The Venezuelan Op

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jan 5, 2026

A surge of aircraft from the U.S. to the U.K. has sparked speculation of a SOF aviation buildup.
MH-60/AH-60

U.S. Special Ops Aircraft Arriving In UK Could Point To Looming Oil Tanker Boarding Operation

By Howard Altman

Posted on Jan 5, 2026

In a phone call to ABC radio in New York, U.S. President Donald Trump claimed an attack inside Venezuela. The White House has yet to offer any proof.
CV-22

Trump Doubles Down On Claim U.S. Attacked Inside Venezuela (Updated)

By Howard Altman

Updated on Dec 29, 2025

The presence of U.S. special operations forces is growing in the Caribbean.
CV-22

CV-22B Osprey, MC-130J Commando II Special Ops Aircraft Deploy To Puerto Rico

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 23, 2025

U.S. Air Force HH-60W Jolly Green II helicopters, assigned to the 943d Rescue Group, conduct helicopter air-to-air refueling with an HC-130J Combat King II aircraft,
HH-60

Combat Rescue Aircraft, Tankers Arrive In Caribbean As U.S. Military Buildup Accelerates

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 12, 2025

The U.S. Navy has recovered an MH-60R Seahawk helicopter and an F/A-18F Super Hornet from the aircraft carrier USS Nimitz that crashed within half an hour of each other in the South China Sea on Oct. 26.
MH-60/AH-60

Navy Recovers Crashed Super Hornet, Seahawk From Bottom Of South China Sea

By Howard Altman

Posted on Dec 9, 2025

A Royal Australian Army Tiger helicopter performs during the Australian International Airshow at the Avalon Airfield near Lara southwest of Melbourne on February 24, 2015. Some 180,000 patrons were expected through the gates over the duration of the event.
Helicopters

Australia’s Unwanted Tiger Attack Helicopters May Go To Ukraine: Reports

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Dec 4, 2025

U.S. M1A2 Abrams assigned to 3rd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 3rd Armored Brigade Combat Team, 1st Cavalry Division, Task Force Iron, maneuver to get on line with the Apache helicopters assigned to 1st Battalion, 501st Aviation Regiment, Combat Aviation Brigade, 1st Armored Division, Task Force Iron, during Iron Defender-25 at Orzysz Training Area in Orzysz, Poland, Sept. 17, 2025. The Apache helicopters provided cover fire while the Abrams advanced. The purpose of large scale training events like Iron Defender-25 is to prove the Polish Armed Forces and their NATO allies’ ability to deter and effectively defend the territory of Poland. (U.S. Army National Guard photo by Pfc. Andre Gremillion Jr.)
AH-64

U.S. Army AH-64E Apache’s Counter-Drone Capability Rapidly Matures

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 30, 2025

The Navy's USNS Salvor is on scene to try and find two aircraft that crashed off the USS Nimitz last month.
MH-60/AH-60

Navy Salvage Ship Trying To Fish Crashed Super Hornet And Seahawk Out Of South China Sea

By Howard Altman

Posted on Nov 20, 2025

Images show that a large tiltrotor drone called the R6000, being developed by United Aircraft in China, has now entered flight testing.
Future Vertical Lift

China’s Large R6000 Uncrewed Tiltrotor Is Now In Flight Testing

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Nov 18, 2025

The planned delivery of three AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters to the Indian Army has taken an unusual turn. The Antonov Airlines An-124 cargo aircraft carrying the rotorcraft to India returned to the United States with the Apaches still onboard, with a Boeing spokesperson telling TWZ that it was looking into “logistical issues” that they said had interrupted the transportation.
AH-64

AH-64 Apaches Make Mysterious Return To U.S. On Their Delivery Flight To India

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 10, 2025

Photoex with NH90 due to com-testing at sea outside Bodø.
Helicopters

Norway’s Sorry NH90 Helicopter Saga Finally Comes To An End

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 3, 2025

For the first time, Sikorsky's optionally-piloted UH-60 Black Hawk helicopter performed parachute drops, hovered on its own while sling loads were attached, and flew a simulated medical evacuation mission at the direction of an untrained individual onboard.
H-60

Pilot-Optional UH-60 Black Hawk Put To The Test In U.S. Military Exercise

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 30, 2025

The U.S. Coast Guard is in line to get a new version of the H-60 helicopter based on the MH-60R Seahawk, which is in service with the U.S. Navy and other armed forces globally.
HH-60

Coast Guard Will Get A New MH-60 Variant To Replace MH-65 Helicopters

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 24, 2025

Not every lesson in Ukraine is applicable to U.S. Army aviation a top general told us.
Helicopters

The Lessons U.S. Army Aviation Is Learning From The War In Ukraine

By Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 16, 2025

The U.S. Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment (SOAR), better known as the Night Stalkers, has been exploring ways to ensure it can operate in more heavily defended airspace in the future.
Helicopters

How The Night Stalkers Are Planning To Survive In Future High-End Fights

By Joseph Trevithick, Howard Altman

Posted on Oct 15, 2025

U-hawk sikorsky
UH-60

UH-60 U-Hawk Drone Walk-Around Tour

By Jamie Hunter, Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Oct 14, 2025

Boeing CxR collaborative tiltrotor drone.
AH-64

Boeing Launches New Family Of Tiltrotor Combat Drones

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 13, 2025

UH-60 Black Hawk Cargo Drone With Clamshell Nose Breaks Cover (Updated)
H-60

UH-60 Black Hawk Cargo Drone With Clamshell Nose Breaks Cover (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Oct 13, 2025

VAMPIRE Live Fire 2025
AH-64

Entire Family Of VAMPIRE Counter-Drone Systems Unveiled

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Oct 9, 2025

An AH-64Ev6 Apache from the 12th Combat Aviation Brigade fires the SPIKE NLOS missile in Ustka, Poland on Aug. 27. This historic event marked the first employment of the missile in the European theater, significantly increasing the U.S. Army's lethality and combat capability.
AH-64

U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches Fire Spike-NLOS Missiles In Europe For The First Time

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 8, 2025

Columbia lost a UH-60 to a drone attack.
UH-60

Colombian Black Hawk Downed By Drone Is A Glimpse Of What’s To Come (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Aug 22, 2025

S-97 Raider clone flying in China
Helicopters

China Has Cloned Sikorsky’s S-97 Raider High-Speed Helicopter

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Aug 21, 2025

An MH-53K does a test lift on a HU-25 Guardian slated to be delivered to nearby Tillamook Air Museum.P
CH-53K

CH-53K’s Delivery Of HU-25 Coast Guard Jet Called Off After Damage During Test Flight

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on Aug 20, 2025

An apparently previously unknown tiltrotor aircraft has appeared in China and is already undergoing flight testing. While the program remains mysterious, it’s further evidence of growing Chinese interest in this class of aircraft. Although previous such Chinese projects have typically been pitched for civilian missions, tiltrotors have clear military applications as the People’s Liberation Army (PLA) continues to expand its reach across the Indo-Pacific region.
V-22

China’s First Crewed Tiltrotor Aircraft Is Flying

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 18, 2025

A South Korean AH-64 Apache helicopter fires rockets during a combined live-fire exercise between the South Korean and US armies at the Rodriguez Live Fire Complex in Pocheon on October 30, 2024. (Photo by Jung Yeon-je / AFP) (Photo by JUNG YEON-JE/AFP via Getty Images)
AH-64

South Korea Canceling AH-64 Apache Order A Sign Of What’s To Come

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Jul 8, 2025

Residents of the Tucson, Arizona area were startled earlier this week by a group of helicopters, including at least one Russian-made Mi-17 Hip, making very low nighttime flights as part of what turned out to be a U.S. military exercise.
Mi8/Mi-17

Secretive Russian-Made Mi-17 Helicopter Makes Unusual Appearance In Tucson

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Jun 20, 2025

Ukraine is pushing back on a Russian claim that Vladimir Putin's helicopter came under fire on May 20.
Helicopters

Claims Swirl Over Supposed Ukrainian Attack On Putin’s Helicopter

By Howard Altman

Posted on May 28, 2025

The Aerial Armored Reconnaissance Vehicle (AARV), which was a two-seat scout. It was envisaged as a successor to the U.S. Army’s Hughes OH-6 Cayuse and Bell OH-58 Kiowa. These had been procured under the Light Observation Helicopter (LOH) program and saw extensive use in Vietnam.
Helicopters

These Heavily Armored Helicopters Were Pitched To The Army During The Cold War

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on May 24, 2025

Myanmar rebels claim they shot down a government Mi-17 helicopter with an FPV drone.
Mi8/Mi-17

Mi-17 Appears To Have Been Downed By FPV Drone In Myanmar

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on May 22, 2025

The U.S. Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotors will be designated MV-75s, the service announced today at the Army Aviation Association of America's annual Mission Solutions Summit.
FLRAA

MV-75 Official Designation Given To Future U.S. Army Tiltrotor Assault Aircraft (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 14, 2025

The U.S. Army has incorporated special operations-specific requirements into the design of its Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotor, which has led to an unspecified increase in gross weight.
MH-60/AH-60

Army’s Future Tiltrotor Gets Heavier So It Can Rapidly Convert Into Special Ops Variant

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 9, 2025

Marine AH-1Z Attack Helicopter’s Mystery Missiles Identified
AH-1

Marine AH-1Z Attack Helicopter’s Mystery Missiles Identified

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on May 1, 2025

Marine MV-22 Ospreys Won’t Get Tanker Capability To Refuel F-35Bs Anytime Soon
MV-22

Marine MV-22 Ospreys Won’t Get Tanker Capability To Refuel F-35Bs Anytime Soon

By Tyler Rogoway

Updated on May 1, 2025

A senior Navy aviation officer says the three-month-long grounding of virtually all Osprey tiltrotors worldwide following the fatal crash of a U.S. Air Force CV-22B off the coast of Japan in 2023 sent serious ripples through his service.
V-22

CMV-22 Grounding Was “Wakeup Call” For Navy, Stakes Higher With C-2 Gone Next Year

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 8, 2025

Ongoing work on the U.S. Army's Future Long-Range Assault Aircraft (FLRAA) tiltrotor is helping the U.S. Navy refine its next-generation Future Vertical Lift-Maritime Strike (FVL-MS) plans.
MV-22

Navy MH-60 Seahawk Replacement Will Leverage Army’s Future Vertical Lift Tiltrotor Plans

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Apr 8, 2025

Puma Helicopter Retires From UK Service After More Than 50 Years
Helicopters

Puma Helicopter Retires From UK Service After More Than 50 Years

By Thomas Newdick

Updated on Apr 1, 2025

Ukraine claims it destroyed two Ka-52 Hockum attack helicopters and two Mi-8 Hip transport helicopters in a missile attack in Belgorod.
Mi8/Mi-17

Ukraine Launched HIMARS Attack On Russian Helicopters In Belgorod

By Howard Altman

Posted on Mar 24, 2025

U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches Armed With Israeli Spike Missiles Now Flying in Iraq
AH-64

U.S. Army AH-64 Apaches Armed With Israeli Spike Missiles Now Flying in Iraq

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Mar 7, 2025

Boeing expects to shutter its production of the Little Bird light helicopter after fulfilling a current contract with the Thai armed forces.
MH-6/AH-6

Boeing’s Little Bird Helicopter Production Set To End

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 26, 2025

The U.S. Navy has released a picture of a U.S. Marine Corps AH-1Z Viper Attack helicopter with a previously unseen long-range missile armament.
AH-1

AH-1Z Attack Helicopter’s New Long Range Missile Seen For The First Time

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 17, 2025

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, 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, Geoff Ziezulewicz, 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, Tyler Rogoway, 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