Rotorcraft

WASHINGTON - The U.S. has approved a Norwegian request to purchase UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters.

On August 21, the U.S. State Department issued a press release announcing the approval, which covers the Norwegian request for 21 UH-60Ms, along with 46 T700-GE-701D engines and various onboard systems including AN/AAR-57 Common Missile Warning Systems, Common Infrared Countermeasures, AN/APR-39E(V)2 Radar Warning Receivers, and navigation and communication gear.

The total estimated value of the deal is $2.3 billion.

The UH-60M helicopters will "upgrade Norway’s rotary wing capability, allowing Norwegian Army and Special Operations Forces to independently conduct operations while taking advantage of a common platform across the fleet," the press release noted. Norway had previously requested to purchase nine HH-60W helicopters, and was approved for that acquisition in July 2025. Norway canceled that acquisition in June, however, before signing a contract.

If acquired, Norway would likely replace its Bell 412 fleet with the UH-60Ms.

Source: State Department
Associated URL: https://www.state.gov/releases/bureau-of-political-military-affairs/2026/08/norway-uh-60m-black-hawk-helicopters/

CHENGDU - Chinese eVTOL manufacturer Aerofugia and software specialist SYSGO are launching a collaborative development effort aiming to create an avionics suite for the company's AE200-100 eVTOL platform. Utilizing the Arm Holdings ARMv8 architecture and SYSGO's PikeOS real-time operating system (RTOS) as its base, the two companies aim to develop and introduce a scalable, partioned multi-function avionics architecture that can faciliate the platform's path towards certification and commercial realization. As the AAM segment steadily transitions from early prototyping into manufacture and commercialization, partnerships such as these will become increasingly critical in ensuring the operational and regulatory viability of individual eVTOL platforms.

Source: NewElectronics
Associated URL: https://www.newelectronics.co.uk/content/news/aerofugia-and-sysgo-partner-on-certification-focused-avionics-platform-for-ae200-100-evtol

MARIGNANE -- Airbus has secured a $115 million contract to provide the U.S. Army National Guard with up to 12 additional UH-72B Lakota helicopters, comprising 10 firm orders and options for two more. The aircraft will support the Guard’s ongoing modernization of its UH-72 fleet, which totals approximately 480 helicopters and conducts missions including homeland defense, search and rescue, disaster relief, surveillance, and medical evacuation.

The announcement follows the Army’s decision to replace 220 UH-72A helicopters used for initial-entry rotary-wing training with Robinson R66s under the Flight School Next program. The future of those UH-72As remains unclear. The new UH-72Bs will be assembled at Airbus’ facility in Columbus, Mississippi, with deliveries scheduled from 2027 through the end of 2029. Airbus says continued procurement will ensure the Lakota fleet provides modern capabilities and remains a key component of Army aviation.

Source: RotorHub International
Associated URL: https://www.rotorhub.com/airbus-sign-usd115m-deal-with-us-army-for-up-to-12-more-uh-72bs/
Author: Gideon Ewers