Utility Helicopter
Czech Air Force receives first UH-1Y Venom utility helicopter
The Czech Air Force formally welcomed its first UH-1Y Venom battlefield utility helicopter to Námešt nad Oslavou Air Base in the Czech Republic on August 17, just three weeks after the air arm received its first two AH-1Z Viper gunships
Norway postpones helicopter fleet recap, opts to partially upgrade ageing Bell 412s
The Norwegian Ministry of Defence has approved plans to partially upgrade its ageing Bell 412HP/SP utility helicopters and postpone the recapitalisation of the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s special operations rotorcraft fleet by at least 15 years in a move that goes against the advice of the head of the nation’s armed forces
PAS 23: Hungary’s first H225M Caracal ready for delivery
Airbus Helicopters exhibited four of its helicopters during the Paris Air Show, including an H225M Caracal, which was painted dark grey and sported Hungarian Air Force markings. While it was technically crossed out, the helicopter wore ‘70’ as its serial number
Malaysia leases additional Black Hawks for Army use
The Malaysian MOD signed a lease agreement with Malaysia-based defence services provider, Aerotree Group, for the supply of four second-hand Sikorsky UH-60A+ Black Hawk battlefield utility helicopters, which will be operated by the Malaysian Army Aviation
First US Army UH-60Vs for Wiesbaden arrive in Germany
Company A ‘Aces’ of the 1st Battalion, 214th Aviation Regiment’s at Wiesbaden Army Airfield in central Germany received an initial batch of three UH-60V Black Hawks on June 4, when the battlefield utility helicopters arrived aboard a USAF-operated C-17A Globemaster III
Poland buys Hellfire missiles to arm future AW149, AH-64E fleets
Poland’s Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of National Defence Mariusz Błaszczak announced on May 30 that the nation has signed a deal with the US government to buy AGM-114 Hellfire air-to-ground missiles to equip its future Leonardo Helicopters AW149 and Boeing AH-64E Apache Guardian helicopter fleets
Zimbabwe takes delivery of 18 Russian-built Ansat helicopters
The government of Zimbabwe took delivery of 18 Kazan Helicopters Ansat multi-purpose light helicopters at one time during a ceremony at Robert Gabriel Mugabe International Airport in Harare on May 18
New York ARNG UH-60Ms return from Kuwait deployment
The New York Army National Guard’s 3rd Battalion, 142nd Aviation Regiment, ended its ten-month mission to the Middle East when a transition of authority ceremony was held at Camp Buehring in Kuwait on May 6
Nine killed in Black Hawk collision over Kentucky
Nine US Army personnel were killed on March 29, when two HH-60M Black Hawk medical evacuation helicopters collided in darkness at 2200hrs (local time) near Fort Campbell, Kentucky
Malaysian Army chief announces Black Hawk acquisition
Chief of the Malaysian Army, Gen Tan Sri Dato’ Seri Zamrose Mohd Zain, announced on March 11 that the service’s Army Aviation branch will get four UH-60 Black Hawk helicopters, with the newly acquired utility helicopters expected to arrive in-country from May or June 2023