Helicopters (Page 3)

Latest in Helicopters

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, Joseph Trevithick, 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, 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, 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, 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, Joseph Trevithick, 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, 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

The next version of the famed Little Bird helicopter for the US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment has reportedly been dubbed the MH-6R.
MH-6/AH-6

New Night Stalker Little Bird Helicopters Now Dubbed MH-6R (Updated)

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Feb 27, 2024

Captain Maxim Kuzminov, Pilot Of A Russian Military Mi-8 Helicopter In Kyiv
Helicopters

Russia’s Spy Chief Says Recently Gunned-Down Pilot Defector Was A “Moral Corpse”

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 20, 2024

CV-22s taxi for takeoff
CV-22

Grounded V-22 Osprey “1980s Technology,” Still Critical Capability Says AFSOC Commander

By Hope Hodge Seck

Posted on Feb 15, 2024

Fara Bell 360 Invictus and Sikorsky Defiant X
FARA

Cancelling The Future Attack Recon Helicopter Was The Right Choice By The Army

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Feb 9, 2024

A U.S. Army CH-47F Chinook helicopter from Bravo Company, 1-214th General Support Aviation Battalion, 12th Combat Aviation Brigade, “Big Windy”, prepares to land during an air movement of a Congressional Delegation (CODEL) from Munich to the Grafenwoehr Training Area, Germany, April 12, 2022. Two CH-47Fs were used throughout the mission to provide precision rotary-wing aviation support and enable the CODEL to observe combined arms training, meet with forward-deployed Soldiers, and receive briefings from key U.S. Army leadership. 12 CAB is among other units assigned to V Corps, America's Forward Deployed Corps in Europe that works alongside NATO Allies and regional security partners to provide combat-ready forces, execute joint and multinational training exercises, and retains command and control for all rotational and assigned units in the European Theater. (U.S. Army photo by Staff Sgt. Thomas Mort)
MV-22

Army CH-47s Fill In For Grounded Marine MV-22s In White House Airlift Role

By Tyler Rogoway, Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 9, 2024

Raider X cancelled
FARA

Army Cancels High-Speed Armed Reconnaissance Helicopter Program

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Feb 9, 2024

A CH-53E Super Stallion crew from Marine Heavy Helicopter Squadron 361 test their aircraft on snowy terrain at Marine Corps Mountain Warfare Training Center Bridgeport, Calif., May 20, 2011. For many of the Marines, this was the first time they landed in snow.
CH-53E

Search Is On For Missing Marine Corps CH-53E Super Stallion (Updated)

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Feb 7, 2024

CMV-22Bs land on a carrier
CV-22

CMV-22B Osprey “Not Operationally Suitable” According To Test Report

By Howard Altman

Posted on Feb 6, 2024

Scrapped NH90
Helicopters

Australia Is Literally Burying Its Doomed NH90 Helicopter Fleet

By John Hunter Farrell

Posted on Jan 25, 2024

MH-60 Red Ssa
MH-60/AH-60

After U.S. Navy Helicopters Sink Houthi Boats Are Strikes Next?

By Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Dec 31, 2023

Lockheed Martin recently demonstrated key capabilities of the new AN/ALQ-248 Advanced Off-Board Electronic Warfare system in a milestone test.
MH-60/AH-60

Electronic Warfare Pod To Give Navy Helicopters Anti-Ship Missile Defense Capabilities

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 13, 2023

A Chinook Helicopter flies over a military camp, as part of a rehearsal for the flyby performance for Taiwan’s Double-Ten National Day Celebration, amid rising tensions between Beijing and Taipei and threats from China, in Taoyuan, Taiwan, 28 September 2021. The 18-meter wide and 12-meter long Taiwan flag, according to state media Central News Agency, will be carried by two CH-47 Chinook helicopters flag flying over the Presidential Office, in addition to a parade displaying the island’s missile systems which will showcase the armed forces' ability to resist threats from China. (Photo by Ceng Shou Yi/NurPhoto)
CH-47

Taiwanese Pilot Planned CH-47 Defection To China: Reports

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Dec 12, 2023

V-22 Ospreys worldwide have been grounded following a fatal crash on November 29, 2023.
V-22

All V-22 Ospreys Grounded Worldwide (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Dec 7, 2023

This versatile, self-deployable aircraft offers increased speed and range over other rotary-wing aircraft, enabling Air Force Special Operations Command aircrews to execute long-range special operations missions. The CV-22 can perform missions that normally would require both fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft. The CV-22 takes off vertically and, once airborne, the nacelles (engine and prop-rotor group) on each wing can rotate into a forward position.
V-22

Calls For V-22 Osprey Grounding In Japan After Fatal Crash

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 30, 2023

A CV-22 Osprey from the 21st Special Operations Squadron flies in support of exercise Resolute Dragon 22 over Kamifurano Maneuver Area, Hokkaido, Japan, Oct. 11, 2022. Resolute Dragon 22 is an annual bilateral exercise designed to strengthen the defensive capabilities of the U.S.-Japan Alliance by exercising integrated command and control, targeting, combined arms, and maneuver across multiple domains.
V-22

CV-22B Osprey Tilt-Rotor Crashes Off Japanese Coast

By Thomas Newdick, Howard Altman

Posted on Nov 29, 2023

U.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Brandon CarmonaTadeo, a CH-53E Super Stallion crew chief assigned to Marine Medium Tiltrotor Squadron (VMM) 165 (Reinforced), 15th Marine Expeditionary Unit, conducts pre-flight checks on a Super Stallion before flight operations aboard the amphibious transport dock USS Somerset (LPD 25) in the Pacific Ocean, Nov. 15, 2023. The 15th MEU is currently embarked aboard the Boxer Amphibious Ready Group conducting integrated training and routine operations in U.S. 3rd Fleet
CH-53E

CH-53E’s Rotor Mast Absolutely Dwarfs Marine Sitting On It

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Nov 27, 2023

Night Stalker Ship Training
MH-60/AH-60

Night Stalker MH-60 Executes Sneak Mock Assault On Navy Ship In Awesome Video

By Oliver Parken

Posted on Nov 9, 2023

An Israeli Air Force AH-64 Apache with unusual Hellfire missile marking attached.
AH-64

Israeli AH-64 Apache Appears With Mysterious Hellfire Missile

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Nov 6, 2023

AH-64 Israel pod
AH-64

Why Some Israeli AH-64 Apaches Have A Big Belly Bulge

By Thomas Newdick, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 31, 2023

Israel struck inside Lebanon with artillery and helicopters after an incursion by terrorists.
Helicopters

Israel Strikes Inside Lebanon After Ground Incursion (Updated)

By Howard Altman, Tyler Rogoway

Posted on Oct 9, 2023

Australian Army MRH90
Helicopters

Australia’s NH90 Helicopter Nightmare Is Finally Ending

By John Hunter Farrell

Posted on Oct 3, 2023

An MH-60M Black Hawk helicopter in the latest configuration utilized by the US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment and with a unusual paint job recently visited a civilian airport in Alabama.
MH-60/AH-60

Night Stalker MH-60 Black Hawk Spotted In Blue Camouflage

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Sep 29, 2023

Apache Taiwan
AH-64

Taiwan’s AH-64s Are The World’s Most Sinister-Looking Apaches

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Sep 22, 2023

Newly released pictures give a great look at just how loaded down with sensors and other specialized system the MH-60M Black Hawks assigned to the US Army's elite 160th Special Operations Aviation Regiment really are.
MH-60/AH-60

Special Ops MH-60 Seen Absolutely Crammed With Modifications

By Joseph Trevithick

Updated on Sep 21, 2023

AH-64E MUMT-X
AH-64

This Is What The AH-64 Apache’s New Extended Rotor Mast Does

By Tyler Rogoway, Oliver Parken

Posted on Sep 7, 2023

Russian MI-8 Defector Ukraine
Mi8/Mi-17

Russian Helicopter Pilot Details His Defection Flight To Ukraine

By Howard Altman

Posted on Sep 5, 2023

MI-8 Crash Ukraine
Mi8/Mi-17

Two Ukrainian Mi-8 Helicopters Crash, Killing Six: Reports

By Howard Altman

Posted on Aug 31, 2023

Mi-8AMTSh
Mi8/Mi-17

Defecting Russian Mi-8 Helicopter Was Lured To Ukraine: Reports

By Thomas Newdick

Posted on Aug 23, 2023

Iranian forces threatened to open fire on US military helicopters covering American warships during a recent transit through the Strait of Hormuz.
Helicopters

Navy Shoots Down Iran’s Claims It Forced U.S. Helicopters To Land

By Joseph Trevithick

Posted on Aug 22, 2023