Airbus SE France/Germany/Spain

[Bürküt]

HealthNet Aeromedical Services expands fleet with order of four Airbus H135 helicopters​

Anaheim, HealthNet Aeromedical Services, headquartered in Charleston, West Virginia, will soon expand its all-Airbus fleet with the addition of four H135 helicopters. As one of the largest hospital-based air medical programmes in the country, the helicopters will be used to serve adult, pediatric and neonatal patients across the state of West Virginia.


“HealthNet has been a valued partner of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. since 1986, and we look forward to supporting their mission as they elevate their fleet with the addition of four new H135s,” said Bart Reijnen, President of Airbus Helicopters, Inc. and Head of the North America region. “These helicopters will be the first in their fleet equipped with Helionix avionics, allowing for increased mission flexibility and safety that benefits their employees and the communities they serve.”


Airbus’ light, twin-engine H135 incorporates the most advanced technologies available, including Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite, which, in addition to the 4-axis autopilot, offers an innovative cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness. Designed with three large electronic displays, the H135’s cockpit is night vision goggle compatible and includes a First Limit Indicator, which highlights the appropriate engine instrument data for the pilot in one indicator.


“HealthNet Aeromedical Services and our three owner health systems are proud to continue to partner with Airbus to enhance our helicopter fleet,” said Clinton Burley, President and CEO. “The purchase of these aircraft exemplifies our programme’s commitment to advancing the delivery of safe and high-quality transport medicine to those we serve.”


HealthNet has exclusively operated Airbus helicopters since the programme’s inception nearly four decades ago, caring for more than 100,000 patients during that time. Their current fleet of eleven aircraft is comprised of H130, H135 and EC145 helicopters.

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-02-healthnet-aeromedical-services-expands-fleet-with-order-of-four

 

[Bürküt]

Airbus Helicopters and LCI unveil new Flight Path partnership​

Anaheim, 28 February 2024 – LCI, a leading aviation company, has unveiled a new Flight Path partnership with Airbus Helicopters, which will address the long-term capacity, sustainability and financing requirements of the industry.


Airbus predicts demand for over 16,000 new helicopters by 2041, with a combined value approaching $130 billion. The new partnership will see LCI and Airbus Helicopters leveraging their combined knowledge, experience and analytical capabilities to identify the infrastructure and financial innovations that will address this demand.


Flight Path builds upon a 20-year relationship between the companies, which most recently culminated in a collaboration agreement to develop advanced air mobility ecosystems around the CityAirbus Next Gen programme. Going forward, it will also include investment in further helicopter units, types and technologies, with a growing emphasis around sustainability.


Jaspal Jandu, CEO of LCI, says: “This strategic partnership between LCI and Airbus signals our collective commitment to deliver long-term, sustainable capacity solutions to the market. The combination of Airbus’ long-standing expertise in business development, forecasting and planning, with LCI’s track record in leasing, investing and financial innovation, will enable us to sustainably address the multibillion dollar requirements of the market.”


Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, says: “LCI and Airbus have worked together in close cooperation for almost two decades, culminating most recently in the delivery commitments for seven next generation helicopters. This new partnership is a natural elevation of this relationship and one that reflects our shared capabilities. Together with our partners, Airbus Helicopters is committed to delivering sustainable growth and innovation to its customers as they undertake their mission-critical work.”


LCI’s fleet currently includes over 50 Airbus helicopters. They are deployed by 14 operators in 10 countries across the globe on a range of missions including emergency medical services, search and rescue and offshore wind.


The first phase of Flight Path will see the committed delivery of at least seven latest generation Airbus helicopters to LCI by 2025.


LCI has ordered five new Airbus H145 helicopters, all of which are being placed in its joint venture (JV) with Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (SMFL). The first two aircraft are being delivered by the end of March 2024 and will be operated in Oceania.


In addition, LCI will deliver two H175 helicopters by the end of March 2024. The aircraft will be operated in South America.

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-02-airbus-helicopters-and-lci-unveil-new-flight-path-partnership

 

[Bürküt]

Airbus and Bristow Group announce framework contract for up to 15 H135 helicopters​

Anaheim, Airbus Helicopters and Bristow Group announced a framework contract for up to fifteen H135 helicopters (five firm orders, plus 10 options) during this year’s HAI Heli-Expo. The delivery of the first helicopter is scheduled for October 2024.


“I’d like to thank the Bristow Group for their renewed trust in our helicopters. Airbus Helicopters and Bristow Group share a long history, and I am very proud to open a new chapter in our partnership”, said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H135 has proven it's perfect for offshore missions with customers all over the world, especially thanks to Airbus Helicopters' Helionix avionics suite, which reduces pilot workload and increases safety."


“Our longstanding relationship with Airbus, coupled with our extensive experience operating the H135 since 2006, underscores the helicopter’s exceptional performance and reliability,” said Stu Stavley, Chief Operating Officer, Offshore Energy Services for Bristow Group. “The H135 has proven itself to be a very capable helicopter, both for missions offshore and overland.”


Bristow Group Inc. is the leading global provider of innovative and sustainable vertical flight solutions. Bristow primarily provides aviation services to a broad base of offshore energy companies and government entities. Bristow's aviation services include personnel transportation, SAR, medevac, fixed-wing transportation, unmanned systems, and ad hoc helicopter services. Bristow already operates a fleet of 10 H135 family helicopters.

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-02-airbus-and-bristow-group-announce-framework-contract-for-up-to-15

 

[Bürküt]

Niagara Helicopters renews fleet with order for six Airbus H130 helicopters​

Anaheim, Niagara Helicopters has placed an order for six H130 helicopters, confirming a full fleet renewal for the tourism company based in Niagara Falls, Ontario. Each year, the company welcomes more than 100,000 customers from all over the world, providing a nine minute, 27 kilometre sightseeing tour over Niagara Falls.


“In order to continue to deliver a first-class visitor experience, we felt it was time to upgrade our aircraft,” says Denis Pilon, Chief Operating Officer for Niagara Helicopters. “After nearly 10 years of working with Airbus Helicopters, we are confident that the H130 continues to be the ideal aircraft for our operation. We are pleased to be working with the Airbus team again. We look forward to many more years of cooperation and collaboration.”


“We’re honoured that Niagara Helicopters has once again put their trust in Airbus, as they work to deliver exceptional experiences for visitors to the Niagara region,” says Dwayne Charette, President and COO of Airbus Helicopters in Canada. “They are an esteemed partner and we are delighted they have chosen Airbus as their exclusive helicopter provider since 2015.”

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-02-niagara-helicopters-renews-fleet-with-order-for-six-airbus-h130

 

[Bürküt]

Air Center Helicopters signs Airbus HCare services contract for H225 fleet​

Anaheim, Air Center Helicopters, Inc (ACHI) has signed an Airbus HCare In-Service contract to support their fleet of 18 H225 helicopters for the next five years. ACHI uses the versatile H225 aircraft to carry out a wide range of missions across the globe, including but not limited to expeditionary airlift, personnel recovery, search and rescue, medevac/casevac, Department of Defense real world scenario training, ship-based services, and disaster relief.


“We are proud to support ACHI’s critical missions, and we’re pleased they have seen great value in our HCare support and opted to upgrade their agreement,” said Romain Trapp, Executive Vice President Customer Support and Services for Airbus Helicopters. “We are committed to providing ACHI and all of our customers with reliable support and services, so they can continue operating efficiently.”


The full-by-the-hour (FBH) programme provides ‘tip to tail’ replacement coverage of components and is paid at a fixed rate per flight hour. This results in decreased aircraft downtime and more stable maintenance expenses for ACHI. ACHI was previously supported by Airbus through HCare parts-by-the-hour contracts for 10 of its aircraft, as announced in 2019.


As the latest addition to the Super Puma family, the H225 is recognized for its high performance in challenging conditions as well as its outstanding range and payload capacity. The aircraft’s state-of-the-art avionics and autopilot systems provide increased safety, while reducing pilot workload.

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-02-air-center-helicopters-signs-airbus-hcare-services-contract-for

 

[Bürküt]

Airbus Helicopters and SKYCO Leasing sign for six H175 helicopters​

Marignane – Airbus Helicopters and SKYCO International Financial Leasing Co., Ltd., a state-owned enterprise belonging to China's Guangdong Province, have signed a contract for six H175 helicopters.


Entrusted by the Guangdong Provincial Government, SKYCO Leasing is in charge of leading the aviation industry development in the province. The versatile H175 helicopters acquired by SKYCO Leasing will be deployed by the Guangdong Government for search and rescue, emergency medical services, disaster relief and other public services missions in China.


“This cooperation goes far beyond the purchase of helicopters. It is an unmistakable sign of Guangdong Province's willingness to lead the development of the helicopter market in the southern region of China. We are proud that the Guangdong Provincial Government has chosen Airbus Helicopters to carry out this ambitious cooperation project together,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.


On top of the helicopter purchase, the parties have agreed on the reinforcement of Airbus Helicopters’ footprint in China Guangdong Province and the Greater Bay Area in close collaboration with SKYCO Leasing. This includes the joint development of support and services activities and an industrial cooperation setup to lay a solid foundation for the development of general aviation by promoting the reform to open low-altitude airspace. The partnership will also explore an effective business model adapted to the Chinese aviation market that will contribute to regional economic growth.

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2024-03-airbus-helicopters-and-skyco-leasing-sign-for-six-h175-helicopters

 

[Fatman17]

Bird of Prey: the Airbus answer to one-way attack drones​

Introducing the Bird of Prey: a cost-effective, reusable platform designed by Airbus to counter one-way attack drones.

One-way attack drones are rewriting the rules of engagement by pitting low-cost threats against expensive air defences. Is there a way to balance the scales? Let us introduce you to Airbus’ Bird of Prey.
With their simple construction, off-the-shelf electronics and piston engines, one-way attack drones are a staple of the conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East. Dubbed 'flying mopeds' by Ukrainians, 5,749 Russian attacks with Geran-type drones (including decoys) were registered in June 2026 – 192 per day. These drones overwhelm air defences and challenge long-held beliefs about the nature of warfare.
In theory, the equation should be simple: whoever has the most sophisticated technology will prevail. However, one-way attack drones show that the current maths of air defence simply doesn't add up. While the threats cost barely tens of thousands of euros, the interceptors used to bring them down can cost millions.
This discrepancy highlights the need for effective, cost-efficient countermeasures. Scalable solutions are required. Solutions that are integrated into a functional command and control (C2) architecture and capable of keeping up with the evolution of the threat as new drones with higher speeds and increasingly complex flight trajectories appear.

Bird of Prey Demo flight​

Bird of Prey can autonomously engage threats over large distances.

Bird of Prey: the drone hunter​

At Airbus Defence and Space, we are working on a practical answer for this threat: the Bird of Prey. It is more than just another uncrewed aerial system; based on the Airbus Do-DT25 airframe, this target drone is evolving into a veritable drone hunter.
After being launched from a catapult, Bird of Prey will be able to engage enemy threats over long distances. Depending on the mission requirements, it will carry effectors of different sizes and with different performance profiles. Furthermore, the platform is going to be reusable. These factors will make the Bird of Prey highly flexible and ultimately help to keep the cost per engagement low — precisely what is required in the fight against one-way attack drones.
Bird of Prey will operate through the Airbus Integrated Battle Management System (IBMS), which allows for seamless integration into NATO’s air defence architecture. Built entirely on European technology, the solution is free of any American International Traffic in Arms Regulations (ITAR), making it fully sovereign.

Bird of Prey demo flight​

In March 2026, the Bird of Prey successfully completed a demonstration flight, engaging a one-way attack drone with a Frankenburg missile.

From concept to combat ready​

In just nine months, Bird of Prey has progressed from an idea to a demonstration flight, which took place at the end of March 2026 in a military training area in northern Germany. In a realistic mission scenario, it searched for, detected and classified a medium-sized one-way attack drone before engaging it with a Mark I missile from the defence start-up Frankenburg Technologies.
The engagement process is autonomous. From identifying the threat to destroying it, the system takes care of most of the heavy lifting. Still, the human operator stays involved. After identifying the threat, the system prompts a request for engagement. Once the operator grants permission (or, depending on the chosen setup, does not intervene), Bird of Prey proceeds to neutralise the threat. It is this synergy between an autonomous system and human oversight that enables rapid decision-making to counter the threat of one-way attack drones.
Airbus is already planning additional live trials throughout 2026 to further operationalise the system for global customers. As the 'drone wars' intensify, Bird of Prey offers more than just a new weapon system, it offers a means of winning the war of attrition.

https://twitter.com/i/web/status/2087872123758875039