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Helicopter
I N T E R N A T I O N A L
The Industry’s Leading Commercial & Defence News Journal
Volume 42 Number 2 Autumn 2018
£4.50/US$6.55
In this issue: ??? ISSN 0143-1005
VOLUME 42 - NUMBER 2 - AUTUMN 2018
Contents
Front Cover Picture:
The Wales Air Ambulance is the Commercial 49
largest HEMS service in the UK,
operating four fully-equipped
Sikorsky S-76D sales struggle... PHI and Waypoint in financial trouble...
helicopters across the Ansat and Mi-8-AMTs for EMS... Transcend tilt-wing... UTAir reports losses...
Principality. The Charity also
recently took over the lease Kopter SH09 flight trial delay details... Penzance Heliport given go-ahead etc...
for the Cardiff City Heliport.
Tail Rotors 72
News Updates from around the world - Autumn 2018
Regional News
Asia Pacific 52
Offshore Worldwide 66
Helicopter INTERNATIONAL is available
North America 65
only by paid subscription and is Parapublic 62
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Qualified personnel should Classified 73
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their business card or details of Commercial Systems & Support 70
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Helicopter INTERNATIONAL (Subs), 75
Elm Tree Road, Locking, Weston-
super-Mare, Somerset, England
BS24 8EL.
General
Email: subscriptions@aviapress.co.uk Book Corner 67
Please allow six weeks for
subscription fulfilment or for change Droning On... 51
of address.
Helicopter History 67
The Collective Column 45
Helicopter INTERNATIONAL is published
four times a year by Avia Press
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Military Helicopter News 53
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the publishers. No responsibility is
Defence 54
accepted for the authenticity of Bell V-280 expands performance... Sea King asbestos warning...
classified or display advertising.
Authors manuscripts and photo- Leonardo begins Filipino Wildcat tests... Pakistan confirms ATAK order...
g r ap h s w h e re n o t d i re c t l y
commissioned are welcome but on India agrees Naval helicopter buy “in principle”... US Navy introduces ALMDS etc...
the understanding that these may
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letters requiring an answer must Censored 58
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Military News Updates from around the world - Autumn 2018
© Avia Press Associates 2018
Member of the
Periodical Publishers
PERIODICAL
PUBLISHERS
ASSOCIATION
Association
Helicopter INTERNATIONAL Page 43
Elfan ap Rees
The Collective Column
Publisher/Editor THE BREAKING news as we finalised this issue that a Boeing/Leonardo partnership had
ELFAN ap REES
Flinst SMM MBIM Associate RAeS won the US Air Force competition to provide a replacement helicopter for the long-
serving Bell UH-1N, charged with securing the US homeland nuclear missile bases and
Managing Editor
CLAIRE ap REES providing VVIP transport in the Washington DC area, must represent a rare US military win
for the European helicopter industry, and a reflection on how far the business and
North American Editor
KENNETH SWARTZ technology has advanced over the past 40 years.
Close to 1000 AW139s are already in service worldwide with some 270 commercial and
EDITORIAL OFFICE
75 Elm Tree Road, Locking military operators and the undoubted endorsement by the US Air Force can now only
Weston-super-Mare, lead to even more sales. It also validates the original AgustaWestland decision to buy out
Somerset, BS24 8EL
ENGLAND partner Bell Helicopter when the latter decided to pull out of the AB139 programme in
Tel: +44(0)1934 822524 2005 and signed over all its rights in return for a $95 million settlement. One wonders
e-mail: editorial@aviapress.co.uk
how the Bell management feel now!
Web: www.aviapress.co.uk
★
With HeliTech 2018 about to open in Amsterdam, it will be interesting to see the visitor
attendance figures at the RAI Congress venue, especially following the announcement
that the organisers have finally abandoned the Excel Centre venue for the alternate year
Contributing Editors
Rashid Ali
UK HeliTech in favour of returning to an airfield setting.
Oscar Bernardi From the first announcement that HeliTech UK was moving from Duxford airfield to the
Philippe Boulay Excel Centre in East London, we have campaigned against it. Like other visitors, we did
Frank Colucci
Bob Evans make the effort early on to travel to the venue, initially driving around the city on a
Peter Foster congested motorway network and then by train directly through the city. Flying in wasn’t
Emanuele Ghiroldi
Pierre Gillard
an option. After those experiences, coupled with safety concerns for staff when walking
Toni Heumann to and from hotels in the area and a notable absence of our core customers, we gave up.
Robert Kerr So yes, it will be interesting to see how HeliTech Europe in Amsterdam pans out and
Juri Matvejev
Trevor Rees we hope the organisers, with some fresh faces aboard, have learned a lesson and are now
Kiyoshi Sato really listening to the Show’s customers. Will we be at the new UK venue in Farnborough
Anthony Tsagaratos
next year? We hope so!
Photography ★
Alan Norris
Jay Miller Regular readers of Helicopter INTERNATIONAL over the past 40 years will know that we
Advertising/Administration have always supported The Helicopter Museum, just 500m from our offices, and holding
Lucia ap Rees the world’s largest dedicated rotary-wing collection. Currently the museum is undergoing
Tracey Watkins
Accounts an expansion programme, building a new entrance and visitor services facility to highlight
Lucy Wallis the pioneering years and provide better education and STEM facilities for the incoming
Finalisation generation of rotary-wing engineers.
Ian Tasker However there is an obstacle – not enough money in the reserves to complete the fit
out. So if you or your company can make a contribution the museum, which is a
registered charity, would surely be most grateful. It can be done through the Banking
Automated Credit System (BACS) (Sort Code 08/92/99. Bank Account Name: The British
Rotorcraft Museum. Account Number 65014170) or simply send a cheque to The
Helicopter INTERNATIONAL Helicopter Museum, Locking Moor Road, Weston-super-Mare, Somerset, England BS24
75 Elm Tree Road, Locking, 8PP.
Weston-super-Mare,
Somerset, BS24 8EL
You can be sure it will make a difference.
ENGLAND
Tel: +44 (0) 1934 822524
e-mail: office@aviapress.co.uk
Elfan ap Rees
Web: www.aviapress.co.uk editorial@aviapress.co.uk
Helicopter INTERNATIONAL Page 45
Commercial
- INTERNATIONAL
Sikorsky S-76D sales struggle
Sikorsky Aircraft has achieved its first sale
of an S-76D helicopter in India, with an order
from the State government of Maharashtra
announced on 16 July. Delivery is scheduled in
2019.
Sikorsky has delivered some 75 S-76Ds to
operators worldwide to date, including 30 to
companies in the south east Asia region.
Leading the sales in the region has been Japan,
with 11 aircraft in service with private and
parapublic operators, followed by China
with eight and Thailand with five. In
production since 2012 following four years PHI and Waypoint in financial Above: Thai Aviation Services has achieved
of development delays and intended to 10,000 flight hours with its five Sikorsky S-76D
trouble helicopters in less than 10 years, but sales of
replace the S-76C++, Sikorsky originally set Industry sources are suggesting that the US
out to build 24 S-76D per year, but changes in the aircraft have been slow in recent years.
offshore and air medical helicopter operator,
the market place, especially following the
PHI Inc is facing major financial issues
downturn in the oil and gas sector, meant
following a failure earlier this year to refinance 2019, might be borrowed at a more reasonable
that sales have not lived up to the forecasts.
its debts through a $500 million unsecured 7.5 percent interest rate and allow the
In recent years annual deliveries have been
bond. More recently the company has been company a positive free cash flow.
reduced to low single figures and recently Aero
attempting to close an asset-backed However the banks are proving resistant to
Vodochody, which manufactured the S-76
agreement with lenders, but this is a more financing new helicopter deals following the
airframe, ceased production after completing
around 100 fuselages. Ignoring the prototypes, expensive option and is being opposed by a CHC Chapter 11 debacle, the grounding of
Sikorsky however has sold only some 75 group of the company’s shareholders. Airbus EC225s and the general downturn in the
S-76Ds, with serial 7610878 the latest Alesia Asset Management and private oil and gas industry. This is being highlighted by
customer allocation for Japanese dealer investor, Timothy Stabosz, who together the news that Waypoint Leasing, which has
Mitsubishi. 12 more unsold aircraft up to serial control 4.6 percent of PHIs non-voting stock over 150 helicopters in its portfolio financed by
761090, are in storage with Sikorsky in Florida, say that refinancing the debt at the proposed some 26 banks is now in talks to restructure
but up to 13 further airframes may be lending rate of 11 percent is unacceptable and after breaching loan covenants. Its three major
unregistered and incomplete. instead PHI should look to sell its Air Medical shareholders have already disagreed about
division. They claim this would dramatically whether to invest more equity, and the banks
Upgraded Kamov Ka-62 flies cross- reduce the financial risk and unlock sizeable recently called in a specialist restructuring firm
value for the company’s equity holders, with and a law company to advise them.
country
Russian Helicopters flew the upgraded the value of the division estimated at around Ironically perhaps the Chief Executive of
prototype of the Kamov Ka-62 from the $475 million. This would leave PHI with only Waypoint, appointed last February, is Hooman
Progress Aviation Company plant in Arsenyev $75 million of net debt to refinance which, Yazhari who moved from CHC where he
to Vladivostok in early September for a bearing in mind the asset value and expected was heavily involved in that company’s
presentation at the 2018 Eastern Economic uplift in earnings in the oil and gas sector in restructuring.
Forum, held at the Far East Federal University
11-13 September. The 160km (99mile) cross-
Universal buys Lakelse
country flight to the coastal port was the first
Universal Helicopters based in Newfoundland, Canada has purchased Lakelse Air, an operator
visit of the Ka-62 to the city.
with a fleet of 12 aircraft and based on the Canadian west coast in Terrance, British Columbia.
Although the aircraft originally flew in May
The acquisition makes Universal Canada’s only coast-to-coast indigenous helicopter services
2017, major changes were found necessary to
company.
the tail section, the ducted tail rotor design
Traditionally Universal has operated mainly in Newfoundland, Labrador and further north in
and the transmission, which have only
the Arctic, but the company expects the takeover of Lakelse Air will provide new expansion
recently made significant progress. The
opportunities in a part of Canada where it sees great potential. This would especially include
company says this has resulted in a series of
north western British Columbia, where Lakelse has significant experience in utility operations
regular and stable test flights, with the final
including mining support and powerline construction.
flight in the programme covering 260km (162
Lakelse Air will continue to operate as a separate company under its existing management
miles) and demonstrating “high performance
and staff following the takeover but with a senior leadership team headed up by Universal
and low fuel consumption, compared to its
president Shane Cyr and with senior Lakelse and Universal managers providing strategic
competitors”.
direction. Like Universal, Lakelse has built strong relationships with local indigenous people,
Factory tests are now scheduled to be
especially the Haisla, Nisga and Tahitan ethnic groups, and Universal is keen to foster and grow
completed by the end of this year, at which
that approach.
point the company expects to begin
The takeover of Lakelse Air comes only a week after Universal announced it was buying a 49
certification trials for a range of civil roles,
percent stake in a Californian helicopter operator, South Coast Helicopters Inc, headquartered
including passenger transportation, offshore
at Fullerton. Established in 1990, this company operates a small fleet of Airbus AS350B
oil and gas support, emergency medical
services and aerial work. helicopters on charter, aerial filming, sight seeing and fire fighting support missions.
Page 46 Helicopter INTERNATIONAL
Commercial
- INTERNATIONAL
development of a new six-seat vertical take off
and landing (VTOL) aircraft, using a tilt-wing
design powered by a single 1700shp Pratt &
Whitney Canada PT6A-67F turbine. Designated
the Vy400 the aircraft is expected to fly at up
to 652km/h (405mph), with a range of 724km
(450 miles).
Since 2009 Transcend claims to have built
and flown 14 prototype VTOL aircraft, mostly
electric-powered scale models of varying
design but including at least two seat manned
examples powered by gasoline engines. The
new all-composite carbon-fibre airframe is
being developed at a site in the Boston area
Above: Russian Helicopters has signed an Novgorod and Karelia regions of the and will feature dual channel fly-by-wire
order for the production of 104 Kazan Federation. control technology and include an “all-aircraft”
Ansat helicopters, incorporating recent The first Mi-8AMT ordered under the new parachute from BRS Aerospace and a cabin
modifications to improve performance. contract was handed over to NSMA at the pressurised to 2438m (8000ft) altitude. Empty
Hydroavia salon event, fitted out with medical weight is calculated at 2177kg (4800lb) with a
equipment including an artificial lung useful load of 998kg (2200lb) and a maximum
Ansat and Mi-8-AMTs for EMS ventilation system, an electro cardiogram take off weight of 3171kg (6990lb). The
Russian Helicopters signed a contract in the company says the Vy400 will be certified for
machine and seating for medical attendants to
presence of the Minister of Industry and Trade support patient care. At the exhibition Russian flight into known icing and will feature
of the Russian Federation with the National Helicopters and the Kazan Helicopter plant advanced avionics and an autopilot.
Service of Medical Aviation (NSMA) and Avia also signed an agreement with Aviapatrul LLC In conjunction with development of the
Capital Services at the Hydroaviasalon 2018 in as a precursor to a firm contract for the Vy400 the company has begun promoting a
Gelendzhik on 9 September, to supply 104 delivery of two Ansat helicopters, configured business commuter service between city
Kazan Ansat and 46 Mil Mi-8AMT helicopters in a universal version. The two aircraft will be centres, with possible routes including New
configured for 24/7 emergency medical based at Makhachkala in Dagestan, on the York City to Boston in 36 minutes at an
services. Agreements on after-sales support west coast of the Caspian Sea. estimated ticket price of $283.00, Los Angeles-
were also signed. Kazan took two Ansats to the event in San Francisco in 55 minutes at $315.00 and
The initiative to set up NSMA was launched Gelendzhik on the Black Sea coast, with one Montreal-Toronto in 60 minutes at $325.00.
by the Rostec State Corporation last year, with configured in the air medical role and the The company expects to launch these services
subsidiary Avia Capital Services providing the second fitted out for VIP and corporate in 2024.
finance, estimated to exceed 40 billion roubles transport. This latter version incorporates an
($588,019,110.62) and leasing the helicopters active vibration damping system and energy UTAir reports losses
to NSMA on a 15 year contract. The large scale absorbing seats, using composite materials, to Major Russian helicopter UTAir has reported
project being implemented will eventually give passengers a smoother ride. losses of $39 million from its rotary-wing
create a single air ambulance operation across operations over the first half of 2018, despite
all the regions in the Russian Federation. Transcend tilt-wing increasing helicopter flight hours by 10
NSMA is already transporting patients in the St Transcend Air Corporation, headquartered in percent, to 60,000 hours, compared to the
Petersburg, Moscow, Leningrad, Sverdlousk, San Diego, California has announced the same period last year. The company says the
losses were exacerbated by the purchase
earlier in 2018 of a controlling interest in
Safran tests hybrid power Surgut Airport in Western Siberia, where UTAir
Safran Helicopter Engines recently carried out the first ground tests of its hybrid electric has major base operations.
distributed propulsion system at its engine test facility near Pau-Pyrenees Airport in France. A The company operates a mixed fleet of
specially constructed rig, with four electric motors driving three-bladed rotors connected via a some 330 helicopters including more than 110
distribution core to a turbogenerator and supplementary batteries, forms the basis of the Mil Mi-8/17 and 25 heavy-lift Mi-26, as well as
experimental system. other types such as the Airbus Helicopters
The turbogenerator comprises a turbine engine driving an electrical generator, which is H125 family. Upgrading the Russian fleet is
coupled to a bank of batteries, with the power then distributed by a new-generation power currently underway, with the
management system. The electric motors are controlled by a fully integrated smart power Mi-171A2 replacing older Mi-8 helicopters and
electronics assembly. Several operating modes were tested and validated during this first series the Ansat replacing the Mi-2, as UTAir
of tests say Safran, with the electric motors powered only by batteries or by a combination of continues to expand into domestic air
batteries and the turbogenerator. The system generated 100KW of electrical power during the ambulance and scheduled passenger services.
tests and Safran expects to demonstrate a more powerful system in the near future. However, providing services for the oil and gas
The company is partnered with Bell to develop future hybrid electric propulsion systems for industry still accounts for 70 percent of the
vertical take off and landing applications, with a goal of bringing the technology to the market helicopter business, whilst the company also
by 2025. Bell is especially interested in hybrid electric propulsion for its Air Taxi concept, where continues to be the largest helicopter services
it is partnering with Uber Elevate with a view to launching urban centre operations in a 2023 provider to the United Nations peacekeeping
timeframe. This would require Bell to have an air vehicle ready for testing by the end of 2020.
missions.
Helicopter INTERNATIONAL Page 47
Commercial
- INTERNATIONAL
FAA challenged over complaint
hotline closure
A decision by the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) to close down a
helicopter noise complaint hotline in Los
Angeles has been criticised by local pressure
groups, who accuse the authority of doing
nothing with the data gathered and using the
$30,000 annual saving mooted as a smoke Kopter SH09 flight trial delay details
screen to avoid taking any action. Swiss helicopter manufacturer, Kopter, which is developing the single engine SH09 at its Mollis
The automated complaint system was facilities has revealed more details of the delay in beginning flight trials of the third prototype,
originally set up in 2015 for a one year period which was originally due to make its first flight last March. It was known that the set back was
but has twice been extended at the request of due to a sub-contract supplier manufacturing fault, but the company has now explained the flaw.
the Los Angeles Area Helicopter Noise The issue was apparently with sub-standard porosity and cracks found in the main gearbox
Coalition and regional helicopter operators. upper housing casting, with reworking and structural testing then required to check that the
Now the effectiveness of the system is being component’s strength and fatigue life would be sufficient for the initial flight testing. Part of the
questioned, with no fundamental solution involved carrying out some welding to strengthen the casting, but this led to another
improvements having been made in reducing quality flaw when it was discovered that the sub-contractor had used improper procedures.
noise, other than a recommendation to pilots However Kopter carried out a series of static tests, up to the maximum load, on two different
to route 152m (500ft) offshore when transiting castings from the same batch and ran an additional 300 hour main gearbox endurance test.
along the coast. Voluntary efforts to reduce These tests confirmed that the part was strong enough to meet the SH09 flight envelope
noise have not worked say complainants and a requirements and is being used on the third prototype. This aircraft is now being prepared at
memorandum of understanding between the Mollis for its first flight but, in another change to the schedule, will carry out its initial flight
FAA, pilots and activists to finalise a voluntary testing at Mollis, rather than being shipped immediately to the new flight test centre in Pozzallo,
code has never materialised. Sicily. The helicopter and team are now expected to relocate to Sicily approximately four weeks
The noise coalition admitted last March after the first flight, and will then remain there for the next 11 months.
that it has run out of options after years of Meanwhile Kopter has replaced the original casting supplier with a new sub contractor, who
lobbying, and believes stronger legislation is is expected to deliver their first part in the coming weeks. This will eventually be retrofitted to
the only way forward, a view the FAA disagrees the third prototype, with future deliveries also being made for installation on the next SH09, the
with, despite Congress directing it in 2014 to pre-series PS4. This aircraft will incorporate further improvements, including the Garmin
collaborate with the community to make route G-3000H avionics suite which is replacing the original Safran equipment, and a more
and altitude adjustments. The offshore coastal maintenance-friendly rotorhead, main gearbox and hydraulic system.
route was the only change introduced, whilst Kopter is also planning to introduce a new pre-impregnated carbon fibre in the airframe
petitions to require helicopters to maintain a construction, that it expects will absorb less humidity and so better deal with ageing.
minimum flight altitude of 610m (2000ft), limit At Helitech 2018 in Amsterdam the company is displaying the grounded first prototype SH09,
hovering time and to pool media helicopters wrapped in the colours of the latest customer, Systemic Aviation Services of Malaysia.
covering news events were all rejected for the
second time at the beginning of this year.
code area, accounting for nearly 94 percent of ferry two days before the new planning
Now the decision to close down the noise
the complaints from that neighbourhood. application was heard will not have helped the
complaint hotline is being challenged by a
Analysis also shows that more than half of the Steamship Company’s case, but planning
group of Californian politicians, including the
two senators and a half dozen local helicopter flights in the Los Angeles area are officers were already recommending approval
congressional representatives who have carried out in support of public service missions. after carefully reviewing all the arguments for
written to the FAA calling for a continuation of and against the revised heliport proposal.
the complaint system, with improvements Penzance Heliport given go-ahead The planning permission covers the
included to provide a Spanish language Despite determined efforts by the Isles of Scilly construction of facilities on land at Eastern
version and better technology to more Steamship Company to stop a new heliport Green, on the outskirts of Penzance, with a
accurately track helicopter flight paths. Both being developed at Penzance in Cornwall, single-storey terminal, a hangar and a garage
the Los Angeles Area Helicopter Operators the county Planning Committee voted for a fire engine, along with a concrete apron
Association and the Professional Pilots unanimously on 2 August for the second time, and landing pad, a fuel store and 269 car
Association also support retaining the for the project to be given planning permission. parking spaces for staff and passengers. The
automated complaint system, because it The previous application, approved in February permission also permits the new heliport to
objectively quantifies the extent of public 2017, was the subject of a legal challenge offer scheduled flights between Penzance and
concern about helicopter noise, as well as the following month, causing the Penzance the airport at St Mary’s, and the heliport on
reminding pilots that a form of accountability Heliport promoters to enter a new application. the neighbouring island of Tresco, seven days
exists. Earlier this year the Steamship Company a week between 07.30 and 19.00 hours.
Support by the pilots associations however is launched its own helicopter service, operating The service is now expected to be launched
primarily aimed at measuring the true spread of from Lands End Airport alongside its Skybus in Spring 2019, a year later than originally
noise complaints. While the automated fixed wing service, in a move many saw as an planned, using 15 seat Leonardo AW139
complaints received average 5,500 per month, attempt to protect its monopoly on services to helicopters, and is expected to lead to a
an analysis has shown that 1600 calls last April the island, which also include the Scillonian revival of the Penzance economy and a
were logged from just two people in one zip ferry and freight shipping. A breakdown of the positive impact on the Isles of Scilly.
Page 48 Helicopter INTERNATIONAL
Commercial
- INTERNATIONAL
modified H175 main gearbox and other
components, including the Safran RTM332
powerplants. The RACER will retain the H175
gearbox and some other critical components,
but will replace the engines with newer
generation Safran Aneto powerplants, along
with some other new dynamic system
components. The RACER also differs
fundamentally by relocating the propellers
from in front to behind the biplane wing in a
pusher configuration. This improves safety,
with the wing structure between boarding
passengers and the propellers, but it is not yet
clear how this might affect handling and
Above: Airbus and its partners developing the Airbus Helicopters Donauworth facility in performance. The effect of rotor downwash on
RACER compound high speed helicopter are Germany, enabling development to move on the biplane wing structure also needs further
continuing to mature the design. to the detailed design and manufacturing evaluation, although this is expected to be
phase. As part of the ASTRAL programme, GE minimised.
Aviation is now maturing key technologies
Airbus RACER configuration comes New operator for Welsh heliport
including additive manufacture, to support
together advanced casting methods for structural The Wales Air Ambulance charity has taken
GE Aviation Hamble and Nottingham components, automated fibre placement for over the lease for Cardiff Heliport, after
University expect to deliver their new and sandwich structures and single curing of striking a deal with the previous leaseholder,
innovative wing structure being developed complex composite structures for control Cardiff City Heliport Ltd and the site owner,
under the joint ASTRAL project for the surfaces. These technologies are integral to Cardiff City Council. The charity already
Airbus Helicopters RACER (Rapid and Cost the drive to reduce manufacturing costs, whilst operated its Children’s Wales Air Ambulance
Effective Rotorcraft) compound helicopter improving overall aircraft performance through from the heliport, providing specialist
demonstrator by the end of 2019, following optimised weight solutions. transfers for vulnerable babies and children
tests of materials and structures ahead of the In parallel with this programme Airbus across Wales with a single Airbus Helicopters
start of component manufacture early next Helicopters is testing the overall Racer EC135, but has now taken operational control
year. The development is being funded by the configuration in a fixed-base simulator, of all the heliport’s operations.
European Clean Sky 2 Joint Undertaking. including exploring the differences in the The heliport, situated on the foreshore in
Last April saw the wing successfully passing design layout from the experimental X³, which the Tremorfa area of the city, was originally
built by the City Council as a commercial
a preliminary design review, conducted at the utilised an EC155 as a donor airframe with a
venture, but has enjoyed mixed fortunes
after the original lease holder closed down
Great Slave Helicopters to restructure their operation. Busy during big sports
Canadian operator Great Slave Helicopters, based in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, filed events at the Cardiff City stadium, at other
for creditor protection in early September after posting losses in excess of $13.7 million times it has been little used since the
over the last two years, with the revenues continuing to decline. The company now plans to National Police Air Service relocated their
use the court approval protection to restructure its business, which is likely to include local helicopter to the former RAF station at
downsizing and selling off some of its assets. The future of the company’s Chilean nearby St.Athan. The lease was last held by a
subsidiary, DA Chile, which employs some 55 staff operating helicopters from the Great new company, Cardiff City Heliport Ltd,
Slave fleet, is also now in doubt. which envisaged regular helicopter services
Currently the company has a mixed fleet of 51 helicopters and over 200 staff in Canada, from Cardiff to North Wales and other
operating in a very seasonal market which is also suffering from the general downturn in centres. However this failed to gain traction,
several sectors and a consequent oversupply of helicopters. This downturn includes the as did efforts to attract other operators to
mining industry in Canada, which previously brought a useful financial contribution to the use the heliport as a base for operations and
company. Meanwhile the seasonality issue is demonstrated by the fire fighting contracts maintenance work.
held by Great Slave, which this year began in April and run until the end of September, after The Wales Air Ambulance officially took up
which the company will require “significant” ongoing funding to cover the winter the lease on 1 August and hopes its venture
into the commercial side of the business will
maintenance programme and other overheads until the next busy season gets underway.
help to generate new funds for the charity. To
Historically Great Slave was a subsidiary of the Discovery Air Group, which itself filed for
function across Wales, the charity needs to
creditor protection last March with $127 million of debt set mature. This included $93
raise £6.5 million annually to keep its four
million of secured debt that had been guaranteed by Great Slave Helicopters and other
helicopters operational. It is the largest air
subsidiaries in the Discovery Air Group. In mid-August Discovery sold all its shares in Great
ambulance service in the UK, with three
Slave to affiliates of Toronto-based private equity investment company Clairvest Group,
emergency medical service helicopters
which is now a major creditor of Great Slave Helicopters, but is understood to be unwilling
strategically based in Llanelli, Caernarfon and
to provide additional financing.
Welshpool, plus its transfer helicopter at the
Great Slave’s total debt is currently believed to be in excess of $100 million.
Cardiff heliport.
Helicopter INTERNATIONAL Page 49
Commercial
- INTERNATIONAL
T625 first flight
Turkish Aerospace Industries carried out the
maiden flight of the T625 utility helicopter
at its Ankara base on 6 September. The
approximately one minute initial sortie saw
the aircraft take off into a low hover and
perform forward and sideways movements
before carrying out a partial right and then a
360 degree left hand turn. The top deck
cowlings and main cabin doors were not fitted
during the flight. The first flight followed initial
ground runs at the company’s facilities in certification is already being pursued with the Above: The Turkish Aerospace Industries T625
August. Turkish civil aviation authority and the made its first flight on 6 September.
The six tonne class transport and utility European Aviation Safety Agency. Serial
aircraft has been under development since production is expected to begin post 2021.
2011 under an indigenous helicopter
assemblies for the Model 525 instead, with a
programme for both the domestic and LEDC terminates Bell contract commitment to create only 95 jobs and an
international markets. Currently it is powered The Louisiana Economic Department extension of the terms from 2029 to 2031. In
by two LHTEC CTS800, engines, but local Corporation (LEDC) terminated its contract reality, at 21 August only 22 people were
TUSAS Engine Industries, which already with Bell in August to support the Lafayette employed at the site and the LEDC accused
manufactures parts for the CTS800 has Assembly Centre, accusing the company of the company of failing to produce either of the
begun development of an indigenous failing to meet its obligations to create new agreed-upon operations. The Corporation has
alternative, the TS1400. This is especially employment and business opportunities in the now called upon Bell to settle its financial
important to free the project from likely US State. Bell had originally intended to use the obligations towards the State, estimated at
sanctions, which are already threatening new purpose-built facility for the Model 505 $16.5 million, although the company has filed
export sales of the TAI T129 attack helicopter JetRanger X assembly line, but later decided to a court action to seek a determination of the
using the same powerplant. Most other relocate production at its Mirabel plant in rights and responsibilities of both parties
components, including the dynamics, main Canada. under the terminated agreement.
gearbox and wheeled landing gear, (all Louisiana had invested $26.3 million on the In the meantime Bell has begun to move the
manufactured by Alp Aviation) and the new plant construction on the promise of Bell Model 525 work to its Amarillo, Texas plant,
avionics etc remain indigenous, although the creating at least 115 new jobs, with longer claiming it cannot continue operations at the
Spanish company CESA is providing the term benefits to the local economy, but less Lafayette plant without economic incentives,
hydraulic systems. than three years after celebrating the start of and has offered its Louisiana employees
The T625 also bears an uncanny construction in 2014, Bell renegotiated the relocation with the company or support
resemblance to the Leonardo AW169, agreement last year to manufacture cabin sub- in finding work in the local communities.
indicating some overall collaboration, but is
designed for two crew and 12 passengers, with
the large flat cabin space suitable for a range Rolls-Royce floats evtol hybrid vehicle
of missions. These include passenger Rolls Royce unveiled its own electric vertical take-off and landing (EVTOL) concept vehicle at
transport, emergency medical service, search the Farnborough Air Show, based upon technologies that already exist or are currently under
and rescue and VIP operations. Civil development. The company says the design could be adapted for personal or public
transport, logistics and military applications, and could be flying by the early 2020’s.
The initial concept builds on experience gained by Rolls-Royce in providing hybrid electric
Helicopter propulsion for trains, naval vessels and other applications, and the company’s expertise in
gas turbine and VTOL aircraft development. Thus gas turbine technology would generate
INTERNATIONAL electricity to power six quiet electric propulsors, each with embedded power electronics,
with a battery for energy storage. Four of the propulsors would be mounted on a tilt-wing
structure for the VTOL phase, with five-bladed propellers that would fold away in the cruise
Europe’s longest mode to reduce drag. The two remaining propulsors would be mounted at the rear of the
aircraft, also capable of tilting through 90 degree but providing thrust in the cruise. The
running rotorcraft design includes a four-five passenger cabin and would fly at speeds up to 402km/h (250mph)
over a range of approximately 804km (500 miles).
publication. The engine selected for this initial concept design is the well-established Rolls-Royce
M250, installed in the rear fuselage and modified as part of the hybrid electric propulsion
UNBEATEN system, to deliver around 500kw of electrical power. The high energy battery would provide
an additional power boost when required, for example to climb to altitude.
for Having floated the concept, Rolls-Royce is now looking for an airframe partner to take
forward the commercial introduction as a collaborative project. The company believes the
NEWS concept can be easily developed to become a viable proposition and clearly wants to be part
of the expected forthcoming eVTOL revolution in air transport.
Page 50 Helicopter INTERNATIONALDroning ON...
required by medium class helicopters, such
as the Sikorsky Black Hawk. An ARES
concept demonstrator, with a fly-by-wire
control system, is already flying under
Defence Advanced Research Agency
sponsorship, and is due to be demonstrated
to the Marines in October at the Yuma
Proving Ground in Arizona.
Other MUX proposals have come from
Boeing and Northrop Grumman, both of
whom have put forward tail-sitting unmanned
flying wing designs. Meanwhile senior Marine
Corps officials are already keen to accelerate
an MUX decision with a land-based initial
Above: This full scale mockup of the Bell UAV V- Drive shafts connect the engine to the two
247 Vigilant drone was unveiled at the US operational capability (10C) by FY2027
proprotor nacelles, which unlike Bell’s
Marine Corps base at Quantico, Virginia in late following an acquisition decision planned for
previous tiltrotors, the V-22 and V-280, are
September. FY2020.
placed inboard of the wing tips. These outer
winglets swivel with the nacelles during the
transition between vertical and forward flight.
New Potential for MQ-8C
US Marines firms up MUX Northrop Grumman recently demonstrated
Bell unveiled a full size mock up of the V-247 Whilst the main fuselage provides the
the potential for the MQ-8C Fire Scout drone
tiltrotor drone on 25 September at an capacity for the avionics and fuel load, two
helicopter to air drop sonobuoys and deploy
exhibition held at the US Marine Corps base conformal belly pods are available for
the micro synthetic aperture sonar in an
Quantico, Virginia. A silhouette of the electronic warfare equipment or defensive
exercise at Newport, Rhode Island. A civil-
company’s UH-1Y Venom helicopter was air-to-air missiles. Other missiles could be
registered manned Bell 407 aircraft, N427VB,
marked on the floor for comparison. This carried on four underwing pylons, depicted
carried four rearward sloping canisters for the
depicted the size similarity between the two on the mockup with up to 16 Hellfire
installed. demonstration, with the sonobuoys being
aircraft, with Bell demonstrating how, with the ejected in a gravity free fall.
tail and wings folded, the V-247 can be stored Bell says the V-247 would cruise at
444km/h (240kt) with a 556km/h (300kt) During the same exercise the manned
in a typical US Navy DDG class shipboard
maximum speed and achieve best endurance MQ-8C demonstrator completed an auto-
hangar, and operate from any vessel currently
of more than eight hours loiter time at mated sea mine hunting demonstration, co-
able to accept a helicopter. Bell is aiming
333km/h (180kt), carrying a 272kg (600lb) ordinating with an unmanned submersible
the V-247 primarily at the Marine Corps
payload over a 833km (450nm) mission and a small robotic surface vessel. Whilst the
requirement for a Marine Air-Ground Task
radius. The internal mission payload capacity onboard pilot was required in order to
Force (MAGTF) Unmanned Aerial System
is quoted at 907kg (2,000lb), with an meet US Federal Aviation Administration
(UAS) Experimental, acronymed MUX. This is
underslung load capacity of 4082kg (9,000lb). regulations, he flew the aircraft using
intended to provide a Group 5 UAS, capable
Together with the modular, open-architecture waypoint instructions from the helicopter’s
of vertical take off/landing (VTOL) and able to
design that could accommodate any weapon automated system, whilst the mission
provide autonomous reconnaissance and
in the Marine Corps inventory, Bell sees the V- systems, sensors and other requirements
communications relays to support deployed
ground forces over substantial distances for 247 as a truly versatile platform and believes were operated completely autonomously.
long periods. Other roles could include aerial that will also create interest from other Northrop Grumman has suggested that sea
early warning, electronic warfare and, as a services, especially the US Army. mine hunting could be another role for the
secondary mission, ground attack support The V-247 does however face competition, MQ-8C when deployed, reducing the risk to
with a range of weaponry. in particular from Lockheed Martin, which has crews of manned helicopters currently
The MUX Proposal also calls for the fully been working in partnership with Piasecki carrying out this mission.
autonomous VTOL drone to be capable of Aircraft and Sierra Nevada to develop its own Northrop Grumman also recently carried
operating from amphibious ships or a 46m unmanned VTOL aircraft for the Marines out the first flight of an unmanned MQ-8Cat
150ft) x 46m (150ft) rough field landing area. mission. Awkwardly titled the Aerial Trent Lott airport Mississippi, close to the
It should be able to cruise at speeds between Reconfigurable Embedded System (ARES), Moss Point plant where the company plans to
370km/h (200kt) and 556km/h (300kt) and the design features twin wing-mounted tilting assemble the production aircraft from 2026.
stay on station for up to 12 hours at 648km ducted fans to provide the vertical lift and Being able to carry out the flight testing close
(350nm) mission radius. Without refuelling, it forward flight. to the assembly line is expected to bring new
is expected to have a range of between The ARES team claim the ducted fans, a efficiencies to the operation.
648km (350nm) and 1296km (700nm) from its speciality of Piasecki, offer additional levels The MQ-8C is based on the Bell 407
parent vessel. of safety for ground troops and personnel in airframe, supplied from the Bell Canada
The Bell design features a single 7,000shp the vicinity of the aircraft, and that the factory and modified by Northrop Grumman.
Rolls-Royce 1107C powerplant, with aircraft will have the ability to carry a 1361kg So far the prototypes built to date have
bifurcated intakes and an upward facing (3,000lb) payload, cruise at 370km/h (200kt) logged over 1500 flight hours on test
exhaust to minimise the heat signature. and operate from landing zones half the area and evaluation trials.
Helicopter INTERNATIONAL Page 51Regional
News
- ASIA PACIFIC REPORT
• The Nepalese Army Air Service has recently taken delivery of its first
Leonardo Helicopters AW139M for transport operations. The aircraft,
serial 31808, was undergoing pre-delivery acceptance trials in Italy in
July. At the same time an Airbus Helicopters H125, allocated the
Nepalese Army registration NA-059,was being prepared for delivery at
the company’s Singapore facility. This aircraft is one of two light
Above: The Nepalese Army has taken delivery of a Leonardo AW139M
helicopters being purchased for operations with No.11 Brigade. helicopter for transport, search and rescue and disaster relief operations.
The Nepalese government is currently upgrading its helicopter fleet to
better meet future disaster relief and other transport demands, following
the withdrawal from service of a number of obsolete aircraft, including Operating the V-22 in Japan has been highly sensitive since the US
two Aerospatiale AS332L and several Hindustan Aeronautics Cheetah Marine Corps based aircraft in Okinawa and suffered early accidents. As
and Chetak helicopters. The two AS332L helicopters have since been a result many local residents continue to object to tiltrotor deployments
sold in China. because of potential incidents and perceived noise.
• Airbus Helicopters has carried out the first flight at its Marignane
plant of the prototype for the Korean Aerospace Industries (KAI) new
• International insurance companies recently set a deadline of 1
September for the Nepalese government to act on fraudulent helicopter
Light Civil Helicopter (LCH). rescues of tourists, or face the companies refusing to provide cover. An
A contract for the development programme was signed in 2015, with alliance of insurance companies in Australia, New Zealand and the UK
Airbus Helicopters providing the technical support to KAI for the five have insisted that all helicopter rescues are pre-approved by the
tonne class aircraft. This allowed for the prototype to fly by the end of Nepalese police and capped at $4000 per flight.
this year, but in fact the first flight was two months ahead of schedule. Operators and tour guides in on the scam have been “rescuing”
The aircraft, based on the Airbus H155, is being developed under a multiple tourists in one helicopter flight, but billing each insurance
partnership arrangement with KAI, which will produce the LCH and its company individually the full price for the same flight and pocketing the
military variant, the Light Attack Helicopter (LAH), in South Korea. extra income.
The first LAH is scheduled to fly in 2019 and to enter service by
November 2022, replacing the ageing Bell AH-1F and Hanjin-McDonnell
• The Australian Civil Aviation Safety Authority (CASA) has drafted new
regulations for rotary-wing air transport operations under Part 119 and
Douglas MD500MD in service with the South Korean Army, Air Force and 133 rules and the Part 133 standards manual. The changes will create the
Marines. first specific set of operating rules for Australian rotorcraft air transport
The civil LCH will meanwhile be offered in the domestic and export operations. Public consultation ended on 1 August.
markets for a variety of roles, including law enforcement, air ambulance, CASA says the new rules will minimise the safety differential between
and passenger transport services. charter and public transport, introduce safety enhancements to crew
• Rotortrade Services, headquartered in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia has
announced continuing growth in its results for the first half of 2018,
training and safety management systems, establish mandatory simulator
flight crew training for certain helicopters and provide a more active
building on a record breaking year in 2017, when it reported the sale of regulatory focus on managing passenger transport safety risks. The rules
26 aircraft in over 20 different countries. These included the first sale of will also introduce new medical air transport requirements, in line with
a pre-owned Airbus Helicopters H175 out of Mexico to the Netherlands. international best practice and industry feedback.
Now, the mid year results for 2018 include 12 helicopter deliveries Unless otherwise stated in Part 133, operators will also be
already and nine backlogs across different manufacturers, as well as expected to comply with Part 91, the general operating and flight
exclusive mandates for 16 helicopters over the same period. The rules, which have been undergoing a simplification and rewrite, and
company has also signed three new network agreements, including one are due to be the subject of a new guidance document being released
in Guatemala with Mode Aviation and another with Gualter Helicopteros later this year.
in Brazil. Rotortrade president, Philippe Lubrano, says overall sales at
the end of this year are expected to be in line with the 2017 sales, but
• Bell is continuing a Southeast Asia sales tour with a Model 505 Jet
Ranger X demonstrator, N505LQ, which has already flown in Indonesia,
favouring more twin-engine helicopters including some heavies. Last Singapore and Malaysia en route to Thailand, Vietnam, Laos and the
year the company did sell three used Airbus EC225 helicopters in its mix. Philippines.
Rotortrade is the sole global distributor of Leonardo’s pre-owned The first aircraft to enter service in the region are operating with the
helicopters, but also continues to pursue its vision of building an White Sky air taxi service in Indonesia but with considerate interest and
integrated pre-owned helicopter market place through regional orders from other operators, in particular corporate and parapublic
partnerships and strong manufacturer support. customers. Bell also plans to take the demonstrator to the Himalayan
• The Japanese Self Defence Force is expected to begin taking delivery mountain region of Nepal as part of its future sales tour.
of its first five Bell Boeing V-22 tiltrotor aircraft later this autumn, amidst
plans to base the type at Saga airport on Kyushu island in southwest
• Indocopters Private Ltd, which is part of the Vectra Group in India
and headquartered at Greater Noida in Uttar Pradesh, has signed a
Japan to strengthen the country’s ability to protect outlying islands. sales agreement with Rotortrade Services to become their latest
The Japanese government has agreed to pay Saga Prefecture 10 network partner. The agreement is the latest signed by Rotortrade this
billion yen ($90 million) over 20 years in landing fees and to compensate year.
local fishermen, concerned about the impact of noise from the aircraft Indocopters is a commercial partner and authorised maintenance
on their industry and who partially own the deployment site. However centre for Airbus Helicopters in India, selling and supporting their
the first V-22s will actually be temporarily based at Camp Kisarazu in range of helicopters across the country. The company also offers
Chiba Prefecture near Tokyo, until the infrastructure at Saga airport is maintenance facilities for other types, including Bell, and
completed. Leonardo designs.
Page 52 Helicopter INTERNATIONALMilitary
Helicopter
News
Autumn 2018
With the Sikorsky CH-148 Cyclone finally
in operational service, serial 818 was
deployed aboard HMCS Ville de Quebec at
the beginning of August for operations in
the East Mediterranean.Defence
- INTERNATIONAL
Bell V-280 expands performance
Bell moved to the next stage of their V-280
tiltrotor test programme in early August, by
making the first flights with the landing gear
retracted. Previously, since the first flight in
December last year, the aircraft had only been
flown with the gear locked down as a safety
precaution.
Bell is now focused on expanding the
handling and performance envelope of the V-
280, up to the expected level flight maximum
speed of 280kt (520km/h), as part of their Joint
Multi-Role (JMR) technology demonstration
programme for the US Army, Partners in this
effort include Lockheed Martin, which is Sea King, dating back to the early 1970s Above: Bell is now expanding the flight
when the type first entered service, could envelope of the V-280 tiltrotoe, flying with the
providing integrated avionics, sensors and landing gear retracted to take speeds up to the
weapons for the developed aircraft, GE have endured prolonged exposure to
expected maximum.
Aviation for the T64 engines, and Moog Inc for carcinogenic fibres being inhaled from the
the flight control systems. Although the basic asbestos. The last Sea Kings in UK military
V-280 has been developed as a utility aircraft, service, the ASAC Mk.7, were retired in The two AW159s are part of a small batch of
capable of carrying up to 14 troops plus four September but other variants remain five Wildcat helicopters laid down at the end of
operational with a number of foreign the production run of similar aircraft for the
crew, Bell is also looking at an attack
operators, including Germany, Belgium, British Army and Royal Navy. Both aircraft were
configuration able to launch missiles, rockets
Norway, India and Pakistan, as well as with completed in anticipation of further orders
and even small drones.
some more recent civil purchasers. after Leonardo took back the airframe
Meanwhile the competing Sikorsky Boeing
Other variants of the original Sikorsky assembly work from sub-contractor GKN
SB-1 coaxial, compound JMR technology
design, including the Italian built ASH-3 are whilst three remain as sub-assemblies. In
demonstrator, had still not flown as we closed
also believed to have been subject to the risk. addition to the Philippines the company is in
for press, although the prototype is now
registered with the US Federal Aviation active discussions with several other potential
Administration as the Sikorsky S-100, with the Leonardo begins Filipino Wildcat customers, including Malaysia where the
civil marks N100FV allocated and the tests aircraft was recently demonstrated during a
experimental certificate issued on 2 August. Leonardo Helicopters has begun systems Franco-British naval exercise in the area.
testing on the first of two AW159 Wildcat HMA Negotiations are also underway with South
Sea King asbestos warning Mk.2 helicopters for the Philippine Navy at its Korea and at least one country in the Middle
The UK Ministry of Defence issued an Yeovil factory, for delivery expected in March East, among others.
Information Notice in August to warn Service next year. The aircraft are intended for To meet the expected demand, Leonardo
and Civilian personnel, who have maintained operation from two missile-armed frigates, may now invest in a further batch of 10
Westland-built Sea King helicopters, of a under construction in South Korea to provide Wildcats as a private venture to add to the
possible exposure to asbestos. The Notice anti-submarine warfare protection. The three unsold airframes still in its inventory. This
goes on to advise personnel and their contract value, including support, is estimated would reduce the time delay for new
managers of the appropriate medical reporting at 5.4 billion Philippine Pesos. customers ordering aircraft.
procedure if individuals feel they may have
been at risk.
Romania bites on Viper and Venom ...
The Notice, seen by HELICOPTER
The Romanian government is continuing plans to purchase up to 21 Bell UH-1Y Venom
International, says that a number of
transport and 24 AH-1Z Viper attack helicopters, following the completion of a first stage
components fitted to all marks of Sea King
industrial transition strategy by Bell. The manufacturer is proposing to transfer some
were historically manufactured from asbestos
technology to Romania and has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding with IAR
and that maintainers, including flight crew
Ghimbav Brasov for assembly, maintenance and overhaul opportunities.
specifically authorised to carry out flight
The Romanian Air Force is looking to replace its fleet of 14 IAR330 Puma and 24 IAR SOCAT
servicing, may have been exposed. Industry
armed Pumas, which were built under licence from Aerospatiale. The SOCAT variant was
sources suggest that asbestos was especially
upgraded from the original transport helicopters, with a 20mm cannon and Spike anti-tank
used to lag engine hot air bleed pipes feeding
missiles to provide an attack role. In selecting the Bell offer the Romanian government
the cabin area as well as for engine seals,
appears to be dropping its French partner of many years standing, leading to Airbus
gaskets and pipe clamps. The alert follows the
Helicopters now considering the future of its own assembly plant in the country, opened in
discovery that a programme launched in 2003
August 2016. The company had been relocating all production of the H215 Super Puma,
to remove the material from insulation in the
based on the expectation of a local order to justify setting up production.
Sea King was never completed.
Bell sources say the 85 percent commonality between the UH-1Y and AH-1Z will mean that
The scope of the risk may be difficult to
spares support and maintenance will minimise manpower and costs, whilst providing the Air
measure, as both UK MoD and foreign
Force with new generation state-of-the art platforms.
personnel who worked on maintaining the
Page 54 Helicopter INTERNATIONALDefence
- INTERNATIONAL
Previously Pakistan has evaluated three
AVIC WZ-10 and four Mil Mi-35M heavy
helicopters as well as ordering nine Bell AH-1Z
for the attack role before deliveries of the
latter were stalled. Two of these aircraft, 786-
07 and 786-08, are now at the 309th
Aerospatiale Maintenance and Regeneration
Group, Davis Monthan Air Force Base for
storage.
India agrees Naval helicopter buy “in
principle”
The Indian Defence Acquisition Council has
approved in principle the expenditure of
Above: Turkish Aerospace Industries is pressing The T129 can be armed with eight anti-tank Rs217.38 billion to purchase 111 Naval
ahead with production of the T129 ATAK. missiles and air-to-air missiles, and also Utility Helicopters (NUH), to be built under
Seen here on the assembly line recently is the mounts a 20mm three-barrel cannon with 500 the Make in India programme by a
53rd T129. rounds of ammunition in a chin turret. TAI competitively selected Indian private sector
says the enhanced and more powerful company.
development from the A129 has been tested An initial Request for Information (RfI)
Pakistan confirms ATAK order by Pakistan for the last four years, including to identity a foreign partner to provide a
The Turkish defence ministry (SSM) has high altitude trials in the Himalayas and hot suitable design was issued in December 2017,
confirmed that Turkish Aerospace Industries weather trials in temperatures up to 52 resulting in proposals from Airbus Helicopters,
(TAI) has signed a deal with the Pakistan degrees C in the Pakistani desert region. The Bell, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin/Sikorsky,
Ministry of Defence for 30 T129 ATAK company says the T129 successfully met all and Russian Helicopters. Several domestic
Helicopters. The sale was previously rumoured the requirements, noting also that 35 T129 are companies have since expressed an interest in
earlier this year already in front line service with the Turkish producing the NUH under a possible joint
The sale also includes a comprehensive Army in the mountainous and hot/high venture and technology transfer arrangement
support package for logistics, ammunition, southern and south east Turkey and Syrian with a foreign partner. These include the Adani
spares and ground support, and training, but border regions. Based on this evidence TAI is Group, Bharat Forge, Mahindra Aerospace,
will be subject to export licence agreements in discussions with at least three other Reliance Defence, and Tata Advanced
with Italy and the United States. The airframe countries interested in purchasing the T129. Systems.
is based on the Leonardo AW129 Mangusta, These include Morocco, which has a Also approved by the Council is the
whilst the engines are provided by Honeywell- requirement for 24 attack helicopters to purchase of 24 naval multi-role helicopters
Rolls-Royce combine, LHTEC. TAI expects to replace its armed Aerospatiale SA342M (MRH) to replace the last Westland Sea King
begin deliveries to Pakistan within three Gazelles. Thailand which could buy 12-15 Mk.42 helicopters, operating from the capital
months of these export barriers being cleared, aircraft to replace the Bell AH-1F Cobra and warships for early warning and anti-submarine
but faces opposition from the US government Bangladesh, which has no dedicated attack operations. Rs12,500 crore ($1.8 billion) is
following recent political disagreements. helicopter force at the present time. approved for this purchase, with the Sikorsky
MH-60R helicopter seen as favourite under a
Foreign Military Sale agreement. It is assumed
...and Marines order more that this acquisition would not fall under the
The US Marine Corps has confirmed a contract for the supply of 29 Lot 15 Bell AH-1Z Viper new Make in India criteria, although that would
build helicopters from the Amarillo, Texas production line. The order, valued at $509,750, 754, apply to an anticipated follow-on requirement
also provides for long lead material and components for an additional seven Lot 16 aircraft. for a further 99 MRH to bring the Navy up to
The work will be shared with the Bell Fort Worth plant, which will be responsible for a 60 full strength.
percent split. The contract is expected to be completed in February 2021, by which time 125 of Industry sources have urged caution on
the 189 AH-1Z planned to enter service with the Marine Corps will have been delivered, the Defence Acquisition Council announce-
including 12 previously intended for the Pakistan Army. ment noting that it only marks part of a
The AH-1Z is due to remain in service with the Marines alongside the UH-1Y utility variant Rs460 billion desire list for the military. The
until at least the late 2040s, when it is planned to be replaced by an attack/utility variant of the requirement still has to go through a
Future Vertical Lift (FVL), although the Marine Corps requirements differ in some respects from budgetary process and no timeline has been
the US Army FVL capability. Specifically the Marines need an aircraft that can fit on an LPD-class set for the start of procurement processes.
amphibious assault ship, and operate alongside the V-22 tilt rotor to provide long range escort Assuming a budgetary allocation for the
duties. This would require a combat radius of at least 833km (450nm) with a 30 minute loiter MRH is forthcoming in the next three-six
time on station, and a reconfigurable cabin that can meet both attack and utility objectives. months, the Ministry of Defence then has to
Initial work on the FVL replacement is already underway but in the meantime the Marine issue a request to he US State Department to
Corps is developing interim upgrades for the UH-1Y/AH-1Z fleet. These include integrating the begin negotiations, outlining its specific
Joint Air-to-Ground Missile, currently undergoing operational testing, introducing improved requirements. Actual deliveries are thus likely
laser-guided rockets and air-to-air missiles, and integrating the AN/AAQ-45 Distributed three-five years away, whilst the introduction
Aperture Infrared Countermeasures System. Other safety and performance improvements to of the utility helicopter is unlikely before
the fleet are also planned. 2026.
Helicopter INTERNATIONAL Page 55You can also read
