Rotorcraft Report: Program Updates

Attack — Canada is arming some of its Bell Helicopter CH-146 Griffon utility helicopters with machine guns, rockets, and infrared and optical sensors as escorts for transport helicopters in combat until it can acquire new gunships.

Attack — Eurocopter’s HAP Tiger performed 300 deck landings and 80 logistic operations during sea trials May 21-June 7 on the French navy amphibious landing dock Siroco and frigate Guépratte to evaluate its deck landing capability and define operations for helicopter tie-down, blade folding, and onboard handling.

Attack — India’s Light Combat Helicopter, in development by Hindustan Aeronautics, Ltd., is scheduled to make its first flight in October 2008.

Heavy Lift — Northrop Grumman has been selected to equip U.S. Marine Corps/Sikorsky CH-53Es with Directional Infrared Countermeasures system.

Transport — Boeing’s CH-47F Chinook has completed U.S. Army operational testing at Fort Campbell, Ky. and was scheduled to be fielded last month by the 7th Battalion, 101st Aviation Regiment (Air Assault).

UAVs — Boeing on June 15 completed the first flight of the A160T, the turbine-powered version of its Hummingbird unmanned rotorcraft.

UAVs — Honeywell’s Micro Air Vehicle has been deployed to Iraq. Its assignments reportedly include identifying improvised explosive devices from the sky.

UAVs — EADS reports its Sharc unmanned rotorcraft demonstrator completed its first flight June 14. The Sharc is coaxial-rotor 440-lb (200-kg)-class helicopter.

Utility — Colombia will buy 15 Sikorsky Aircraft UH-60L Black Hawks from the U.S. Army under a Foreign Military Sales transaction. The deal includes spares, support, and training and is valued at $225 million.

Utility — The U.S. Defense Dept. has approved full-rate production for the Sikorsky Aircraft UH-60M and the HH-60M Black Hawk.