ROTORCRAFT
Airbus unveils U145 uncrewed autonomous helicopter for cargo missions
AI-equipped platform is based on best-selling H145 light-twin and should enter service in the early 2030s.
HELICOPTERS
Canada issues emergency order due to PW210 crack risk on AW169, S-76D helicopters
P&WC has already published a service bulletin in response to the risk.
Civil helicopters
Leonardo unveils UK civil helicopter support centre
New site in Elstree will offer maintenance to operators of around 200 aircraft
CONTRACT
Czech police to modernise aviation fleet with 11 new H145 rotorcraft
Prague’s interior ministry signs 11-aircraft deal to modernise police aviation fleet.
SAFETY
Serious AW139 tail rotor incident prompts AAIB to recommend additional safety measures
Leonardo Helicopters should better assess risk of duplex bearing failure in intermediate-twin’s pitch control assembly, probe states.
SAFETY
Full ATC staffing still years away after deadly Reagan National collision: FAA
FAA Administrator Bryan Bedford does not see the civil aviation regulator hitting air traffic control staffing targets in the near future but defends the agency’s actions following the January 2025 mid-air collision that killed 67 people near Washington, DC.
Rotorcraft
Leonardo Helicopters chief Cutillo gains new role as part of group shake-up
Management change at top of Italian aerospace champion raises questions over leadership of rotorcraft business.
AEROSPACE
Tejas veteran steps into to job at HAL
Ravi K aims to boost innovation at state airframer.
Rotorcraft
AW139 faces FAA scrutiny over main rotor tension link cracks
Regulator says concern stems from recent flurry of reports from a US repair station flagging the issue.
ROTORCRAFT
Robinson refines fuel cell system ahead of hydrogen-powered R66’s first flight
Manufacturer continues initiative to develop a zero-emission version of its best-selling turbine helicopter.
ROTORCRAFT
KAI completes assembly of localised main gearbox for Surion
KAI is pressing forward with efforts to develop an indigenous transmission for the Surion helicopter.
ROTORCRAFT
US Army walks back commitment to full procurement of Block II Chinook
US Army officials say they plan to let frontline troops test out the latest version of the heavy-lift CH-47F helicopter with the 24 examples currently on order before committing to a full procurement.
