Customer Looks to MD for Helo ‘Faster’ than R66
McMahon Helicopter Services is now an authorized sales agent for the full range of MD Helicopters single and twin-engine rotorcraft, MD said April 9. McMahon is to focus on VIP and personal-use operators. A client is already lined up to purchase an MD 500E. The aircraft should feature a glass cockpit with the Howell Instruments Engine Instruments Display and avionics from Garmin. McMahon said the customer already owns a Robinson Helicopter R66, but wanted something faster and that also used Garmin avionics. Delivery is expected during the first quarter of 2018.
Marines assigned to Combat Cargo receive supply pallets from a Sikorsky MH-60S Seahawk. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Navy
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Lockheed Martin Wins Navair Contracts for F-35, MH-60
The Naval Air Systems Command (Navair) awarded Lockheed Martin F-35 contracts that could be worth up to $382.4 million, the U.S. Defense Dept. said. Lockheed Martin was awarded about $372.9 for procurement of F-35A and B models for non-Defense participants April 10. Work is expected to end in March 2020. The next day, Defense awarded the company a contract not-to-exceed about $9.5 million for low-rate initial production of F-35s for Japan. Expected completion date is October 2018.
Defense said Navair awarded Lockheed Martin $17.6 million in additional funding for MH-60R/S common cockpits, minimum avionics configuration (MAC) kits, non-MAC kits and logistics support April 12.
Photo courtesy of Bell Helicopter
Bell Bags Deals in China
China has received its first emergency medical service helicopter — a Bell Helicopter 429. Bell and United Rotorcraft delivered the helicopter to Reignwood Investment Ltd., Bell said April 11. United Rotorcraft installed the interior, which consists of a machined aluminum floor, additional medical crew seating configurations, and patient care and access product improvements. The rotorcraft is also equipped with a rescue hoist and other equipment.
At the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition, Bell signed purchase agreements for a 429 and two 505s. Bell said April 11 Beigin Yugao Aviation Group aims to use the 429 would be used for EMS and search and rescue operations. The following day, Bell said Hubei Tongcheng General Aviation Co. Ltd. would use the 505s for agriculture pesticide management operations.
Leonardo Taps Onboard Systems for Backup HEC Hook Systems
Leonardo has tapped Onboard Systems International Inc. for backup human external cargo hook systems, Onboard said April 11. The systems are to support the AW169 and AW101. The AW169’s solution includes Onboard’s Talon LC Hydraulic Cargo Hook, while the AW101 will get the fast-rope version of the cargo hook.
Photo courtesy of PhilJets
Updates from PhilJets Group
April 12 at the Asian Business Aviation Conference and Exhibition, PhilJets confirmed that that it delivered a Bell 407 GXP to its fleet and expects deliver of two Airbus Helicopters H130s and one H145 later this year. By the end of 2017, PhilJets said its fleet should be comprised of 10 rotorcraft and two business jets.
An MV-22B Osprey takes flight to transport Marines to conduct a tactical recovery of aircraft and personnel training mission. Photo courtesy of the U.S. Marine Corps
More V-22 Work for Bell-Boeing
Naval Supply Systems Command Weapons Systems Support awarded the Bell Boeing Joint Program Office $38.8 million for V-22 work, the U.S. Defense Dept. said April 13. The contract covers “repair of various parts on the V-22 aircraft,” Defense said. Work is to be completed by December. This is not a foreign military sales contract.
Photo by Anthony Pecchi
Romania's IAR Becomes Exclusive Airbus Contractor
Romania's state-owned IAR is set to become the prime contractor for future Airbus H215M orders from the Romanian Ministry of Defense. Romania is aiming to update its fleet in this exclusive agreement.