Rotorcraft

FORT WORTH, Tex. - Boston MedFlight, a nonprofit critical care transport organization, has placed an order with Airbus Helicopters for the purchase of three H145 helicopters to support the continued modernization and strategic growth of its New England-based air medical transport fleet. The order brings the total number of Airbus H145 helicopters purchased by the organization over time to 12.

Boston MedFlight operates an all-Airbus fleet. The addition of three twin-engine H145 helicopters over the coming years will support the replacement of existing aircraft while enabling incremental fleet growth.

The latest version of the Airbus best-selling H145 light twin-engine helicopter features an five-bladed bearingless rotor that increases useful load by 150 kg (330 lbs) while simplifying maintenance routines and enhancing flight smoothness for patients and medical staff. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines with dual-channel full authority digital engine control (FADEC), the H145 is equipped with the Airbus Helionix digital avionics suite and a high-performance 4-axis autopilot.

Source: Airbus
Associated URL: https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2026-10-boston-medflight-orders-three-airbus-h145-helicopters

ANKARA, Turkey - Turkish drone maker Baykar’s newest vertical takeoff and landing drone, the Kalkan, has completed its first flight tests at sea, according to an October 24 social media post by Turkey’s Ministry of National Defense.

The drone was launched from the Turkish navy frigate TCG Gelibolu, which was operating with the Somali Sea Task Group in the Indian Ocean. The ministry released several photos of the tests but provided no other details. The test comes as Turkey works to help Somalia protect its waters from piracy, illegal fishing and other maritime threats.

Designed for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance missions, the Kalkan can take off, fly and land on its own. It uses electric motors for vertical flight and switches to a combustion engine for forward flight. The drone has a 16-foot wingspan, can carry about 6.6 pounds of cameras and a laser rangefinder, reaches a top speed of about 63 mph and can stay aloft for up to 6 hours. Baykar delivered the Kalkan to the Turkish armed forces last August and has not disclosed any operational or combat use.

Source: Flightglobal
Associated URL: https://www.flightglobal.com/defence/2026/10/baykar-completes-at-sea-flight-test-of-kalkan-vtol-uav/

ABUJA, Nigeria - The Nigerian Air Force has published a list of aircraft that will soon be delivered, including Aksungur unmanned combat aerial vehicles (UCAVs) and T-129 attack helicopters.

In a post on its X social media page on October 25, the Nigerian Air Force shared an infographic that listed future deliveries to the service. These include a dozen Aksungur UCAVs, six additional T-129 attack helicopters, two CH-4D UAVs, 24 M-346 trainer and light attack aircraft, a dozen AH-1Z attack helicopters, seven AW109 helicopters, three C-295 transports, and a H225 multi-role helicopter. While the M-346, AH-1Z, and AW109 are known to be on order, it is not clear whether contracts have already been signed for the other aircraft.

The infographic noted that Nigeria received three AW109s last month, as well as a pair of H125 helicopters.

Nigeria also plans to reactivate and upgrade six L-39ZA aircraft,

"As Air Marshal Aneke marks his first year in office, the NAF remains focused on translating investments in personnel, platforms, training, technology and infrastructure into tangible operational outcomes through stronger joint operations, strategic partnerships, improved maintenance and responsible airpower employment," the Nigerian Air Force said in a statement.

In a separate statement on October 25, the Nigerian Air Force announced that M-346 maintenance crews had undergone training in Italy from July to September, to support the Air Force's acquisition of the aircraft.

Source: Nigerian Air Force
Associated URL: https://www.airforce.mil.ng/