Australia offered trade-in for its Seahawks, Blackhawks for MH-60Rs

Lockheed-Martin and Sikorsky have upped the ante for Australia's forthcoming naval helicopter contract by offering to take it's older Blackhawks and Seahawks in part-exchange for Australia choosing the Sikorsky MH-60R. The Romeo is running head-to-head with the NH Industries NFH-90 NATO Frigate Helicopter.

French Navy tests NH90 in the SAR role

The Aeronavale has deployed one of its new NH90 Caïman helicopters to Brittany to test the type's search and rescue capabilities. It will fly a series of missions, including hoisting, transporting equipment and medical personnel, with crews putting the aircraft through its paces in the environmental conditions it will face operating over the Atlantic on real rescues in the future.

Australia adds MRH90 helicopter to Projects of Concern list

Joining several other high profile defence aerospace projects, the NH Industries MRH90 transport helicopter has been added to Australia's Projects of Concern list. MRH90s on order for both the Australian navy and army are behind schedule, with the maritime version delayed by 12 months and the army's by 18 months.

Day of first flights for Eurocopter military helicopters

In a day of first flights, December 17th saw the first NH90 tactical helicopters for both France and Spain make their first flights. The French and Spanish have ordered 34 and 45 of the tactical helicopters.

Meanwhile the first Eurocopter Tiger HAD for France has also made its first flight.

Italian army reveals AW129 upgrade plan

Italy's army aviation command has received government approval for a plan to upgrade its AW129C attack helicopter with a new observation, targeting and weapon system comprising Rafael's Toplite sight unit and Spike ER air-to-surface missile. The army will also receive eight more NH Industries NH90 tactical transport helicopters

Australian MRH-90 grounding over

The Australian Broadcasting Corporation is reporting that the grounding of the Army's Eurocopter MRH-90 is to end this week, after 3 months. It has also reported that the cause of the April engine failure was caused by a compressor blade hitting the engine casing.