Australia, Germany and Spain ground Tiger attack helicopters

Australia has joined Germany in grounding its fleet of Airbus Helicopters Tiger attack rotorcraft in the wake of a fatal crash in Mali in which two crew members were killed.
Investigations are ongoing into the late July accident involving a German army-operated example that came down in unexplained circumstances around 44nm (82km) northeast of Gao.
Berlin immediately withdrew its Tigers from service, although its four aircraft remaining in Mali – deployed as part of a multinational fight against an Islamic insurgency – will be allowed to perform missions in emergency situations, says its defence ministry.
Australia on 14 August decided to cease flying its Tiger armed reconnaissance helicopters "until further information becomes available".
Spain is also thought to have suspended flights of its army's Tiger inventory, although there has been no official confirmation of the move.
Madrid’s defence ministry says: "The army will follow the technical recommendations of the manufacturer once it conducts the necessary investigations and checks to find out what could have caused the accident."
France, the other operator of the Tiger, continues to fly its helicopters in Mali, but most domestic training missions are on hold in any case because of the summer holidays.
So far, little detail has been released about the circumstances of the crash, but statements from the German defence ministry indicate that the Tiger lost its main rotor blades after entering into a sudden steep descent.
It hit the ground around 10s later, and the wreckage was consumed by a post-impact fire.
Crash investigators have recovered the helicopter’s flight-data recorders, but both are heavily damaged and may be unable to be accessed.
With Airbus Helicopters not directly participating in the accident probe, it was required, as part of its contract with the nations, to issue a notice advising that the Tiger is unsafe, without being able to offer any safety guidance. This was released shortly after the crash and updated on 10 August.
"Airbus Helicopters declares [an] UNSAFE condition for all Tiger versions. AH can neither identify the part, the failure of which would lead to the accident, nor the origin of the failure (design, manufacturing, maintenance). Consequently, AH is not in the position to propose a protective measure," says the warning.
flightglobal

Airbus Unveils New Helo at Paris Air Show

Airbus has given details of plans to develop a new heavy helicopter, known as the X6, which it believes will become a successor to its NH90 and H225 helicopters with military customers in 15 years time.
The 19-passenger, 10-ton-plus helicopter will go through a "concept phase" over the next two years before full development starts.
The helicopter will be initially conceived for oil and gas customers, and will feature fly-by wire controls, a first for a civil helicopter.
The firm would be keeping its NH90 and H225 on the market for the next 15 years, with the aim of bringing the X6 on the market after that, he said.
defensenews

Mexico Could Order Up To 50 EC-725 Helicopters From France To Be Locally Asembled

Mexico could order 50 H225M (EC-725) that would be assembled locally. A signature is expected at the July 14 national holiday where Mexico is guest of honor.
If this command is confirmed, it would be a third good news for export to Airbus, after major contracts in South Korea and Poland, and perhaps before Qatar.
Initially, Airbus Helicopters were negotiating for several months with Mexico a new order of six to twelve additional H225M complement the already ordered 15 units But discussions have accelerated there two months and took a new turn. It is no longer a dozen devices that Mexico wants but fifty H225M, which would locally assembled. Just like in Brazil, Airbus Helicopters made a proposal to that effect.
The Airbus Helicopters in Mexico was inaugurated in February 2013 in Queretaro. The plant manufactures metal components for high-tech aircraft structures, and is the only production site of tail booms Ecureuil AS350 helicopters. It hosts a service center of Ecureuil family aircraft for the operators in the region.
Besides helicopters, France and Mexico are discussing a naval cooperation, which could include the sale of buildings manufactured by DCNS.
latribune

The Royal Thai Army acquires six Airbus Helicopters EC145 T2

A further addition to the Royal Thai Army’s rotorcraft fleet has been committed with the acquisition of six Airbus Helicopters light-utility EC145 T2.
The Royal Thai Army signed for six EC145 T2s with a VIP installation, under the Light Utility Helicopter Type II requirement, to be deployed principally on official passenger transport duties, with deliveries scheduled to begin in 2016.
airbushelicopters

Royal Thai Navy Buys Five EC645s

The Royal Thai Navy has signed a contract with Airbus for the acquisition of five EC645 T2 utility helicopters, it has emerged. RTN representatives signed the contract in Bangkok on 2 September.
defense-studies

Armed EC-725 Undrgoes Flight Tests in Marignane

A specialized team of Helibras and Airbus Helicopters experts tested a prototype of the EC725 carrying anti-surface missiles installed on either side of the aircraft.
The Exocet AM39 missiles will equip eight of the 16 EC725 helicopters belonging to the Brazilian Navy, which are part of the contract for 50 EC725s signed with the Brazilian Ministry of Defense for the three Army corps.
More than 20 flights were performed in Marignane during a one month period, starting April 28.
defense-studies

First flight of second Spanish NH-90 Helicopter scheduled for this week/ El segundo helicóptero NH90 español comenzará a volar esta semana

The first NH90 for Spanish military, could be delivered around September, and it would allow the release of the second issue around December of this year, according Airbus Helicopters Spain. The final signing of the first 22 Spanish units should arrive in early summer. Certification and delivery will follow around September.
The second unit will start flying this week, allowing to be ready later this year. The Spanish delay in deliveries, behind those of France , Germany and Italy , among others, will allow Spanish NH90 to have a 15% more capable propeller than other employees on NH90 from other countries.
The NH90 will be the backbone of Spain`s military tactical transport system. The Airbus Helicopters plant in Albacete currently houses six Albacete NH90 in various stages of manufacture.
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El primer helicópter NH90 español de serie, que voló por primera vez hace ahora un año, podría entregarse en torno al mes de septiembre, lo que permitiría la entrega del segundo ejemplar alrededor de diciembre de este mismo año, según los cálculos de su fabricante, Airbus Helicopters España.
Según Airbus Helicopters la segunda unidad de NH90 español comenzará a volar esta misma semana, lo que le permitirá estar listo a finales de año. El retraso en las entregas españolas, por detrás de las de Francia, Alemania e Italia, entre otros, va a permitir a los helicópteros fabricados para España en la planta de Albacete, contar con un propulsor un 15% más capaz que los empleados en los NH90 del resto de países.
La planta de Albacete acoge actualmente seis NH90 en distintas fases de fabricación.
infodefensa

US Army to acquire 20 more Lakotas

A US spending bill will provide the US Army with funds to acquire 20 Airbus Helicopters UH-72A Lakotas.
The aircraft will be used by both the US Army and the Army National Guard, and will be delivered between September 2014 and July 2015.
UH-72As are made at a factory in Columbus, Mississippi. The security and support battalion version of the UH-72A can have an electro-optical/infrared sensor, secure data channel for live video downloading, a hoist and a crew information station. The National Guard uses aircraft with those systems to conduct security and support along the US-Mexico border.
Airbus also expects to deliver six UH-72As in 2014 that were ordered by Thailand.
flightglobal

Two EC135s delivered to Spanish Army

Airbus Helicopters’ factory in Spain provided the setting early this week for the delivery of the two EC135 helicopters to the Spanish Army Airmobile Force (FAMET). The aircraft were the first to be delivered as part of a contract for eight EC135s signed on December 27.
The contract also includes a logistics package that will support fleet sustainability in the coming years. The remaining six helicopters will be delivered during the course of 2014, and will also be allocated to the CEFAMET Helicopter School Battalion. These two new units bring the Spanish Ministry of Defense’s total fleet of EC135s to 16 helicopters, making it the world’s leading operator of the EC135 for military use, which is also operational in countries such as Germany and Japan.
The new aircraft will meet the Spanish Army’s pressing need to provide its combat pilots with advanced training in tactical missions. Involving the use of night vision goggles and instrument flights, this training prepares pilots to perform maneuvers and combat missions in larger platforms such as the Cougar, Tiger and the NH90.
airbushelicopters

Airbus Helicopters to Supply Six Super Puma AS332 C1e Helicopters to Bolivia

The Bolivian Air Force has selected the latest high-power version of the Super Puma to fight drug trafficking and perform public-security and disaster-relief missions. The contract includes a logistics package that will support fleet sustainability in the coming years. The first two helicopters will be delivered this year and the remaining four before 2016.
The contract also includes a logistical support package that aims to provide the FAB with the resources and know-how it needs to ensure high fleet availability.
The Super Puma was chosen mainly because of its versatility, safety and, above all else, its ability to operate at high altitude.
The relationship between Airbus Helicopters and the Bolivian Air Force began several decades ago with the Lama and the Alouette. The FAB now operates the Ecureuil AS350 B3 and, as of last year, two EC145s, which are used to transport dignitaries and conduct missions in support of the population. With this latest purchase, the FAB will benefit from a technology transfer program that includes the training of more than 80 technicians and pilots in France and Bolivia. It will also be supplied with special tools for setting up a maintenance center, where intermediate inspections (every 500 hours) will be carried out, and two operational bases for smaller inspections (every 100 hours), the objective being for the FAB to acquire strategic autonomy.
airbushelicopters