Current operations, especially in southern Afghanistan, would not be possible without the use of rotorcraft. The mountainous Afghan landscape has presented new challenges and helicopters are now being used three to five times more than they would in a time of peace. As a result, the DoD has declared rotorcraft to be among their top three overall priorities for the next four years. In February of this year, Defense Secretary Robert Gates unveiled the new defense budget which asks Congress for $9.6 billion for additional rotorcraft.

DART Helicopter Services (DHS), a leader in production and global distribution of more than 3,000 certified helicopter accessories, completed an exclusive agreement with Hawker Pacific, a world-class aerospace enterprise that will establish a stronger DHS presence in the Middle East, Asia, Australia and New Zealand.

On October 25, 2010, three years and eight months after Robinson Helicopter publicly announced plans to develop a five-place turbine helicopter, the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) presented Frank Robinson with Type Certificate No. R00015LA for the much-anticipated R66. The FAA also presented Robinson with an amended Production Certificate that now includes the R66, allowing Robinson to begin deliveries.

EADS North America announced today at the Association of the U.S. Army annual convention that its Armed Aerial Scout 72X (AAS-72X) industry team is preparing for the first flight of one of three company-funded Technical Demonstration Aircraft (TDA).

Aero Dynamix, Inc., located in Euless, TX, (DFW area) is proud to announce the recent delivery of the second NVIS Compatible Lighting System Modification for an AS350 B2 helicopter to the Aviation Section of the Suffolk County Police Department, located on Long Island, east of New York City.

Sikorsky Aerospace Services today announced an order for two upgraded S-61 utility helicopters for use in Afghanistan to support drug interdiction efforts. Sikorsky Aerospace Services (SAS) is the aftermarket division of Sikorsky Aircraft Corp., a subsidiary of United Technologies Corp. (NYSE:UTX).