Sonobuoy falls from Navy Seahawk; lands in field near Atsugi

A sonobuoy has fallen from a US Navy SH-60 Seahawk near NAS Atsugi in Japan. The buoy landed in a field but caused no property damage or injuries. The Seahawk is assigned to Helicopter Antisubmarine Squadron 14.

Helicopter Squadron to Commemorate Naval Aviation Centennial at Sea

With the celebration of 100 years of naval aviation set to kick off aboard Naval Air Station (NAS) North Island on Feb. 10, Helicopter Anti-Submarine Squadron (HS) 4 "Black Knights" will be honoring the milestone at sea while aboard USS Ronald Reagan. HS-4 was also the first anti-submarine warfare squadron to deploy aboard an aircraft carrier.

Singapore inaugurates S-70B Seahawks

The Republic of Singapore Air Force has inaugurated its six Sikorsky S-70B Seahawk anti-submarine helicopters into 123 Sqn in a ceremony at Sembawang Airbase yesterday. The helicopters will operate from the Republic of Singapore Navy's six Formidable-class frigates.

Sikorsky offers local maintenance as part of Turkish helicopter deal

Stepping up the battle for Turkey's military helicopter contract, Sikorsky has offered Turkey guarantees that Turkey would be allowed repair and maintenance work for the Blackhawks of third countries if the S-70i Blackhawk is selected by Ankara.

Australia deploys more helicopters for flood assistance

The Australian Defence Force will deploy more helicopters for assistance to the flood ravaged Australian state of Queensland. Two more ADF Blackhawks and four Kiowas will be deployed to Amberley Airbase, west of the state capital Brisbane. Several helicopters and fixed wing assets are already being deployed on various flood relief missions over the past week.

PHOTO: Centenary MH-60R in 1944 retro tricolour scheme

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I personally really like this one. MH-60R BuNo 166524 in the markings of Night Air Group 90 aboard USS Enterprise (CV-6), late 1944. (Photo: US Naval Air Forces Facebook)

Navy instructor pilots lose flying status for Lake Tahoe dip

Two Navy instructor pilots have been forever stripped of flying status over the incident in September when they were caught on video dipping two MH-60R Seahawk helicopters into Lake Tahoe while hovering at low level. Repairs to the helicopters cost US$505,000.

Mitsubishi to produce 40 UH-60Js under licence

Japan's Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI) will produce 40 Mitsubishi/Sikorsky UH-60J search and rescue helicopters for the Japan air self-defence force, replacing 40 existing UH-60Js that have been in service since 1991. Eurocopter's EC725 and the AugustaWestland AW101 have also been considered, but dropped in favour of the Sikorsky product.

Denmark asks to order MH-60Rs

The DSCA has informed the US Congress that Denmark has requested the sale of 12 MH-60R Seahawk helicopters. Including spares and other support it is expected the sale would cost US$2bn.

USAF: Foolish Not to Consider UH-60 Buy

Chief of Staff Gen. Norton Schwartz has said that the US Air Force would be foolish not to at least consider buying more than 90 UH-60s from the Army to replace its UH-1N Hueys. At least one helicopter manufacturer, however, is considering filing a protest if the USAF buys the helicopters without a procurement competition.

PHOTO: SH-60B Seahawk goes to the Pacific Aviation Museum

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101116-N-7498L-053 PEARL HARBOR (Nov. 16, 2010) Cmdr. Brian Gebo, the commanding officer of the Easy Riders of Helicopter Anti-submarine Squadron Light (HSL) 37, and Lt. Brian Roberts land a Sikorsky SH-60B Sea Hawk helicopter on Ford Island next to the Pacific Aviation Museum. The helicopter has reached the end of its service life cycle and is now part of the Pacific Aviation Museum collection. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Mark Logico/Released)

RAAF C-17 to deliver RAN Seahawks across Australia for exercise

Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) C-17s will deliver the S-70 Seahawks of the Royal Australian Navy's 816 Sqn across the continent to Western Australia for an anti-submarine exercise. 816 Sqn is normally based at HMAS Albatross, Nowra in New South Wales on Australia's eastern seaboard.

USAF to buy Blackhawks from Army

In a bid to replace the UH-1N Hueys it currently uses to monitor ICBM sites, the US Air Force is close to finalizing a deal to buy up to 93 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters from the US Army. USAF officials are proposing to buy the helicopters without seeking competitive bids.

Israeli Blackhawk hits power cable, training halted

An Israeli Blackhawk has made an emergency landing after hitting power cables in the disputed Golan Heights, causing the Air Force to suspend all training pending a review of safety regulations. No one was injured in the incident.

PHOTO: Australian Army Blackhawks and Chinooks air mobility training

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Black Hawks from Battle Group Pegusus which has been assembled to support the 3rd Brigade during Exercise Hamel lead the formation as they conduct air-mobility training in Townsville on October 9. (Australian Defence Force Photo)

Photo: HH-60G Pave Hawk taxis at Kandahar

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An HH-60G Pave Hawk helicopter taxis before a mission Oct. 1, 2010, at Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan. Airmen of the 26th Expeditionary Rescue Squadron conduct combat search and rescue missions as well as transporting injured military members and civilians for medical treatment. (U.S. Air Force photo/Tech. Sgt. Chad Chisholm)

Sweden and Spain go with S-70 family.

The Sikorsky S-70 family of helicopters are still popular with armed forces round the world. The Defense Security Cooperation Agency DSCA has notified the US Congress that Sweden is likely to purchase 15 UH-60M Blackhawk helicopters, while at the same time Spain is purchasing 6 refurbished SH-60F Seahawks.

PHOTO: Ex Jackal Stone 2010.

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100917-N-5483N-033 BALTIC SEA (Sept. 17, 2010) A Lithuanian MI-8 (Hip) military utility helicopter lands aboard the amphibious assault ship USS Mount Whitney (LCC/JCC 20) during deck landing qualification training as part of exercise Jackal Stone 2010 (JS10). JS10 is a 10-day special operations exercise intended to promote cooperation and interoperability between participating forces from Croatia, Latvia, Lithuania, Poland, Romania, Ukraine, and the United States. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 2nd Class Sylvia Nealy/Released)

Saudis may get huge arms deal

The Obama Administration is seeking to sell Saudi Arabia advanced aircraft worth up to $60 billion advanced weapons. The deal includes 84 F-15s, upgrading another 70 F-15s, 70 Apaches, 72 Black Hawks and 36 Little Bird helicopters.

PHOTO: MH-60S twilight VERTREP

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100831-N-9196S-401 ATLANTIC OCEAN (Aug. 31, 2010) Two MH-60S Sea Hawk helicopters transit between the aircraft carriers USS George H.W. Bush (CVN 77) and USS Dwight D. Eisenhower (CVN 69) while conducting a vertical replenishment transferring ammunition. George H.W. Bush is undergoing its first underway replenishment with another aircraft carrier. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist 3rd Class Joshua D. Sheppard/Released)