During the first stage, the center will be carrying out maintenance and overhaul of Mi-8T and Mi-17-1V helicopters operated by EAF. Future plans include mastering of a Mi-17V-5 type.

Within 2015-2018 the Holding Company fitted HFDI with the required equipment and conducted personnel training at the Aviation Training Center of Novosibirsk Aircraft Repair Plant. Moreover, based on the audit results of the MRO center Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant has already issued a statement on the center’s readiness to perform helicopter overhaul.

"One of the key objectives of Russian Helicopters is to organize a system of after-sales support providing first-class service throughout the complete life cycle of Russian-made rotorcraft. The holding intends to continue expanding its global network of authorized service centers. Over the past three years, in cooperation with our partners from HFDI we have performed a tremendous job establishing the MRO center for Russian-made rotorcraft at the factory’s facilities. The Egyptian side is already in process of performing a pilot Mi-8T and Mi-17-1V overhaul upon the results of which we plan to proceed with certification of the center," said Igor Chechikov, Deputy Director General for After-Sales Support of Russian Helicopters.

"Egypt is a long-standing and strategically important partner for Rostec. We cooperate in a wide range of areas. At the same time, helicopter industry and after-sales service of equipment are one of the key areas of our cooperation," said Viktor Kladov, Director for international cooperation and regional policy at Rostec. "Certification of the helicopter service center in Egypt opens up new opportunities for expanding cooperation with local partners."

Mi-8/17 helicopters developed by Mil Moscow Helicopter Plant (part of Russian Helicopters Holding Company) are world-famous. Reliable and low-maintenance, they remain in constant demand. They are capable of medevac and humanitarian missions, cargo, and passenger transportation (including VIPs). Military-transport Mi-8/17 helicopters are designed to transport service personnel and to carry cargo inside the cabin and on the external sling. These rotorcraft are employed for patrol or search-and-rescue operations and can also carry armament. Not once have they been used for combat operations in flashpoint conflicts as well as for anti-drug operations and missions against illegal armed groups.

Source: Vector Aerospace Source: Vector Aerospace Close

In July 2016, Safran signed a seven-year contract to support 14 RTM 322-powered EH101 Merlin operated by the RDAF. Since then, 75 engines have been protected by a Safran GSP.

This new agreement satisfies the RDAF requirement for engine availability in anticipation of domestic and international military operations.

Under the GSP, the customer receives a commitment to have serviceable engines available whenever they need them. Other GSP principles also apply, including budget certainty, fixed price per engine flying hour and a technical partnership with the OEM.

This particular GSP will be managed by Safran Helicopter Engines Germany, which supports more than 280 operators flying in Germany, Scandinavia, Central and Eastern Europe, Russia and Central Asia.

GSP is part of EngineLife Services, Safran's range of solutions for helicopter engine operators.

Sikorsky Firehawk in action Source: Sikorsky Sikorsky Firehawk in action Source: Sikorsky Close

Sikorsky has been pushing its star hard, developing a number of new systems and modifications for the H-60. The firm teamed with Elbit to provide an armed Black Hawk variant known as the Battlehawk, which is available as a new-build aircraft or as a retrofit kit. Sikorsky has also been testing an Autonomous Formation Flying (AFF) system, which has now matured into what the company is calling "Matrix Technology."

Black Hawks are to be phased out entirely by 2050, leading to a large aftermarket that multiple companies are already taking advantage of. The U.S. Government Services Administration has auctioned off more than 100 UH-60s. Hundreds more are expected to be sold in the coming years, with as many as 700 becoming available. Note that a $100,000 deposit is needed just to bid on the aircraft. As one option, buyers can convert the aircraft for utility and firefighting missions under a restricted certificate and then resell them, although public agencies can fly the aircraft unrestricted.

Aftermarket companies are purchasing divested Black Hawks from the U.S. Army and other militaries. The Afghani Air Force will receive 53 Black Hawks that are being transferred from U.S. Army stocks and upgraded.

UH-60V conversions started in FY18, with installations to begin in FY19. The electronics-focused effort, estimated at $3.5 billion, looks to push well into the 2030s.

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