Rotorcraft

OSLO - Norway has officially abandoned plans to acquire nine Sikorsky HH-60W combat search and rescue helicopters from the United States, shifting its focus toward other defense priorities. The Nordic nation’s interest in the HH-60W Jolly Green II first came to light last year via a US Foreign Military Sales notification. That initial estimate valued the acquisition, including related equipment and support, at $2.6 billion, averaging nearly $300 million per aircraft. Following a prolonged period of silence regarding the procurement process, Oslo has now confirmed it will let the current deadline pass without signing a letter of acceptance.

According to Norway's defense materiel agency, the decision stems directly from a revised long-term defense plan introduced in March, which demands strict prioritization among various procurement initiatives. The nine HH-60Ws were originally intended to serve as partial replacements for the Royal Norwegian Air Force’s aging fleet of 18 Bell 412 helicopters, which currently support land and special operations forces. However, the updated March strategy has effectively sidelined the acquisition for the foreseeable future, stating explicitly that the procurement of helicopters to support the country's special and land forces has been indefinitely postponed.

Source: Flightglobal
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/archive/2026/06/norway-drops-hh-60w-acquisition-to-focus-on-other-priorities/

PRAGUE - The Czech Ministry of Interior has finalized an agreement with Airbus Helicopters to procure 11 five-bladed H145 models, establishing a new foundation for the nation's public safety flight operations.

Assigned to the Czech Police Aviation Service, these versatile aircraft are slated to replace an older lineup of nine H135 models, expanding the team's capabilities in medical evacuations, law enforcement, and search-and-rescue efforts. Beyond the physical aircraft, the deal bundles in comprehensive logistics and pilot training to facilitate a smooth fleet transition. Airbus highlighted that the upgrade naturally complements the existing skills of local crews due to design similarities, while providing superior lifting capacity, extended flight range, and eco-friendly reductions in sound and carbon emissions.

Source: Airbus
Associated URL: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-05-czech-ministry-of-interior-signs-contract-for-11-airbus-h145-helicopters

Forecast International (FI) announced the passing of its founder, Edward "Ed" Nebinger, on Memorial Day. A U.S. Air Force veteran, combat aviator, test pilot, and entrepreneur, Nebinger leaves behind a body of work that reshaped how the defense industry understands its own future. He was 102.

Nebinger founded Forecast International in 1973 on the premise that enough reliable data existed to support rational, long-range forecasts for aerospace and defense industries. A major step in the company's growth was taken in 1989, when Forecast International acquired the assets of DMS Inc. from its main competitor, Jane's Information Group. This asset, combined with several smaller acquisitions, enabled the firm to continue the development and expansion of its product line so that it soon covered the bulk of the industries producing platforms and systems within the overall Aerospace/Defense, Power Systems, and Electronics arena.

A true visionary, Nebinger challenged the team to continually innovate and build the tools they needed for intelligence and analysis. The company was behind the development of several proprietary research tools, including the 2007 launch of the Platinum system, a live relational database and the only patented system of its kind, which gives clients graphic-driven analysis across a 25-year span.

Today, Forecast International is a global business relied upon by the U.S. Department of Defense as well as international ministries of defense, with its analysts remaining some of the leading trusted voices on forecasts of defense and aerospace products, weaponry and programs.

"Ed helped the industry look at the future through a data-driven lens," said Aaron Heffron, President of Insights and Forecasting at GovExec. "His passion pushed FI to create tools and provide insights that reduced the guesswork, making the future more predictable and strategic planning possible. This mentality still drives everything we do. We extend our deepest condolences to his family. His was a life of service that is greatly admired and respected."

Before entering the private sector, Nebinger served twenty-five years as a U.S. Air Force officer. He flew a P-51 Mustang over the Normandy beaches on D-Day, completed a second combat tour in Korea, and went on to test supersonic fighters as a military test pilot. This service earned him several decorations, including the Distinguished Flying Cross with one oak leaf cluster, the Air Medal with eleven oak leaf clusters, the World War II Victory Medal, the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and the Korean Service Medal.

Acquired by GovExec in January 2022, Forecast International continues to operate under the principles Nebinger established, drawing on a global analyst network to serve the industries he spent his career studying.

Source: Forecast International
Associated URL: https://www.forecastinternational.com/