Leonardo Kopter AW09 Credit: Kopter Group Originally launched by Marenco Swisshelicopter in 2011, the Kopter SH09 was rebranded in April 2021 as the AW09 to reflect its addition to the Leonardo Helicopters’ product line. Leonardo completed its $185 million acquisition of Switzerland-based Kopter Group in April 2020. The rebranding aligns with the manufacturer’s strategy of naming its models with the number nine. Powered by a single Honeywell HTS900 turboshaft engine and fitted with a Garmin G3000H avionics suite, the AW09 has been developed to carry up to eight passengers in a cabin similar in size to that found on light twin-engine helicopters. A competitor with the Airbus Helicopters’ H125 and Bell Model 407, the AW09 has landed customers in the aerial tourism and emergency medical services markets. Entry into service is planned in 2022.
Manufacturers of traditional helicopters plan to introduce several new models or upgrades to existing aircraft in the coming years. Some of the new or upgraded civil helicopters nearing entry into service are summarized.
aircraft, announces three new USFS Firefighting contracts for the upcoming 2021 wildfire season. The USFS cooperates with CAL FIRE, US Department of Interior agencies Bureau of Land Management, National Park Service and Bureau of Indian Affairs, on aerial firefighting contracts. firefighting contracts since 1995 and is a global leader in aerial firefighting, with current firefighting contracts in USA, Canada, Australia, Greece, Italy, and South Korea. Details include: Fresno, CA and Kitchen Creek, CA • One Bell 214ST will be based at Lucky Peak, ID This is the first Bell 214ST firefighting contract for Erickson!
Erickson Lands New U.S. Firefighting Contracts ainonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ainonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Erickson considers the S-64F+ an ideal candidate for certain military heavy-lift applications. Erickson plans to make the first flight of its optionally-piloted S-64F+ Air Crane next year, with customer deliveries of the new helicopter variant to begin as early as 2024, the company announced February 23. The aircraft will be equipped with all-composite main rotor blades that Erickson certified late last year, as well as Sikorsky’s Matrix optional pilot technology and new turboshaft engines with Fadec. A HUD might also be available for the F+ in concert with Erickson’s new aerial water cannon. A senior Erickson executive said the high/hot performance of the F+ will be improved over the current production model. The new composite main rotor blades alone will increase the payload at 25 degrees C and 8,000 feet by 88 percent offering an additional 755 pounds while climb rate at max gross weight and 2,000 feet will rise 69.2 percent, from 1,300 fpm to 2,200 fpm. These numbers will be improved further with the new engine, he said.
By Garrett Reim2021-02-24T21:03:00+00:00 Erickson is pitching the US Army on an autonomous variant of its heavy lift Air Crane helicopter, the S-64F+. The company believes the S-64F+ could compliment the service’s fleet of Boeing CH-47 Chinooks, and also Sikorsky CH-53 heavy lift helicopters, which are operated by the US Marine Corps, by supporting training and logistics operations, it said on 23 February. Source: Erickson Erickson S-64 Air Crane in aerial firefighting configuration The S-64 is a commercial variant of the 1960s-era Sikorsky CH-54 Tarhe, a twin-engined heavy lift helicopter built for the US Army. The rotorcraft has an empty space where a passenger cabin is typically placed and that allows for carrying special loads, including a shipping container, a water tank or a large sling load.
Erickson To Begin Flying Optionally-piloted Air Crane Next Year ainonline.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from ainonline.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.
Top Guns of firefighting at home in Strathbogie Shire miragenews.com - get the latest breaking news, showbiz & celebrity photos, sport news & rumours, viral videos and top stories from miragenews.com Daily Mail and Mail on Sunday newspapers.