Roelof-Jan Gort on LinkedIn: Boeing would see the P-8A Poseidon maritime patrol aircraft replacing the… (2024)

Brigade de recherche et d'intervention(BRI) I was invited by the fa*gN last Monday to photograph the police officers of the Brigade de recherche et d'intervention (BRI). During this day, fa*gN EC145 helicopters were used to train these officers to be able to descend quickly by fast-roping.It was fantastic to get this opportunity to spend this day with the officers of the BRI and the GIGN. Thanks to everyone at the fa*gN for making this possible. More pictures will follow soon!Roelof-Jan Gortwww.FlyHighAeromedia.comForces aériennes de la gendarmerie nationale (fa*gN) Forces Aériennes de la Gendarmerie nationale • fa*gN Gendarmerie Nationale Airbus Airbus Defence and Space Airbus Helicopters Edwin G. Har B. Bryn Elliott John Bullock Henri Dulong de Rosnay Nadia Lahri Sandra Chenu Godefroy Wandert Brandsen

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German Ministry of Interior orders up to 44 H225 helicopters for its Federal PoliceBerlin - The German Ministry of the Interior has ordered up to 44 H225 helicopters for its Federal Police. This record order for the H225 includes 38 firm orders with options for a further six helicopters. Its payload, range and advanced systems make it a versatile aircraft capable of conducting a large array of law enforcement and homeland security missions ranging from special forces transport to firefighting and disaster relief. Deliveries are scheduled to start in 2029.“I would like to thank Germany for its continued and renewed trust in our helicopters and in particular in our H225 family. We're proud that our H225 will contribute to the security of Germany and help its citizens in need,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The Bundespolizei can look forward to a modern helicopter thanks to the continuous improvements we've made to our H225 in recent years. It will remain one of the most advanced helicopters available on the market for the decades to come.”The H225 will replace the H155 and AS332 helicopters that have been in service with the German Federal Police for more than 20 years. The order of the H225 will ensure a seamless transition for pilots and maintenance personnel. The contract also includes training means and spare part packages.The new and powerful mission and communication system guarantees improved situational awareness and smooth data transmission between police forces. It also has an improved main gearbox and an extended health and usage monitoring system, which increases safety and helps to save costs. With a maximum takeoff weight of 11,160 kg, the H225 offers an increased range of more than 832 kilometers (1,107 km with external fuel tanks) and an unmatched external payload of 4,750 kg, essential for missions like disaster relief and firefighting. Airbus Helicopters’ ambition is that the helicopter will be able to fly with 100 percent sustainable aviation fuel by 2030 which was already demonstrated at ILA Berlin 2022.The German Bundespolizei operates 94 Airbus helicopters, ranging from the single-engine H120 used for pilot training, to more than 40 twin-engine H135 family helicopters for several missions including emergency medical services on behalf of the Federal Office of Civil Protection and Disaster Assistance (Bundesamt für Bevölkerungsschutz und Katastrophenhilfe), and the Super Puma family, of which the H225 is the latest variant. The partnership began in 1962, when the Bundespolizei (at that time Bundesgrenzschutz) started operation of its Alouette II, manufactured by Airbus predecessor company Aérospatiale. More of this news at: https://lnkd.in/eVjn3ijaAirbus Defence and Space Airbus Helicopters DPolG Bundespolizeigewerkschaft

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Yesterday I spent a long time with the people from the GIGN who had to practice shooting at certain targets from a EC145 helicopter of the fa*gN. Sometimes from a stationary position but also from an attacking flying position. How cool to be there and to be able to capture this on camera from various angles!Roelof-Jan Gort www.FlyHighAeromedia.comForces Aériennes de la Gendarmerie nationale • fa*gN Forces aériennes de la gendarmerie nationale (fa*gN) GENDARMERIE Airbus Airbus Defence and Space Airbus Helicopters

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Good morning from BA107 Vélizy-Villacoublay!Just arrived for a new two-day project with the Forces Aériennes de la Gendarmerie nationale • fa*gN. It is great to be back for the 3rd time in two years 😄. The program looks great, the weather forecasts also look great. I can't wait to work with these people again.Roelof-Jan Gort www.FlyHighAeromedia.comGendarmerie Nationale

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Dutch F-35s take on a full nuclear roleThe Netherlands has become the first nation to declare that its F-35 stealth fighters are now fully responsible for the nuclear strike role, something that had been expected since the aircraft was fully certified to carry theB61-12 thermonuclear bombearlier this year. Coming amid repeated nuclear saber-rattling from Russia, the development is an important one in the context of NATO’s nuclear deterrence posture in Europe.The Royal Netherlands Air Force (RNLAF) announced that the F-35A will fully take over the Dutch nuclear role tomorrow, June 1. The mission will be passed from the F-16 previously used in the nuclear role at Volkel Air Base. The F-35 unit responsible for the mission is 313 Squadron, and its weapons are provided undera NATO nuclear sharing agreementarrangement.The wording of the statement suggests that, in recent months, the F-16 and F-35 shared responsibility for a nuclear strike at the same base, although this hasn’t been confirmed. However, the RNLAF had previously said it expects to declare full operational capability with its F-35sin early 2024. Since full operational capability implies that the aircraft can carry out all previous F-16 missions, the stealth jets were likely operational in the nuclear strike tasking at least since then.“The Netherlands is one of the NATO allies that contribute Dual-Capable Aircraft to NATO’s nuclear deterrence and is the first European country transitioning to the F-35 in that context,” the RNLAF stated in itsannouncement.At the same time, Netherlands Minister of Defense Kajsa Ollongren informed the Dutch House of Representatives about the development.“The Dutch transition from the F-16 to the F-35 for the nuclear role within NATO was initiated many years ago,” the RNLAF continued. “In the last couple of years, the F-35 underwent a comprehensive testing and certification process for the nuclear role of the Netherlands. The RNLAF already started using the F-35 for conventional tasks.”“The transition reaffirms the Netherlands’ long-term commitment to the Alliance’s nuclear deterrence,” the statement continued. “NATO’s nuclear deterrence is essential to the security of the Alliance, and therefore also to the security of the Netherlands. The fundamental purpose of NATO’s nuclear capability is to preserve peace, prevent coercion, and deter aggression.”More of this article: https://lnkd.in/ePSnrmJfKoninklijke Nederlandse Vereniging Onze Luchtmacht Koninklijke Luchtmacht

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Sweden, and Austria were cleared by the US to buy a dozen UH-60M Black Hawks eachWASHINGTON — The US State Department today announced it has cleared a pair of potential UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter sales toSwedenandAustria.The proposed packages are for 12 of the Sikorsky-made helicopters each.Sweden’s packagecomes with an estimated price tag of $900 million, whileAustria’s isestimated at $1.05 billion, according to an announcement by the Defense Security Cooperation Agency (DSCA).Announcements posted on DSCA’s website are not final sales. Congress can still weigh in and oppose the sale, though that is unlikely here. More importantly, final quantities and dollar totals can shift during negotiations.The difference in price between the two packages likely comes down to Austria’s request for several additional pieces and parts for its systems. For instance, Austria is seeking 30 “H-764U Embedded Global Positioning Systems with Inertial Navigation (EGI) with country-unique selective availability anti-spoofing modules,” something that Sweden’s package does not include. Austria is also seeking a “very important person kit” and a USB charger, perhaps an indication these could be used to ferry VIPs around the country.Austria, a non-NATO member, currently operates what is designated the S-70A Black Hawk, which agovernment websitesays is “specially adapted to the needs of the Austrian Federal Armed Forces.” There are nine currently in service, with three more under order before today’s announcement.Sweden, the newest member of NATO, currently operates 15 UH-60Ms, with the newest delivered in 2012. In November 2022, Stockholmcanceled its under-way procurementof the NHIndustries-produced NH90 maritime helicopter; it is not clear if the thinking is to use these new UH-60s to fill the gap left by that failed effort.A spokesperson for Sikorsky said the company stands “ready to support Austria, Sweden, and the United States for a government-to-government procurement of 24 UH-60M helicopters adding 12 aircraft to both countries’ fleets. The multi-mission Black Hawk will continue to support critical operations in the region including border security, troop transport, humanitarian and disaster relief, and search and rescue efforts, as well as strengthen greater military interoperability.”Source: https://lnkd.in/eQiXqkt8Swedish Armed Forces Österreichisches Bundesheer (Austrian Armed Forces) Sikorsky Michael Bauer Ace Aeronautics, LLC AceHawk Aerospace Ltd. Fionnán Collins

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State Department Clears $950M Black Hawk Helicopter Sale to BrazilThe State Department has approved a potential $950 million foreign military sale ofUH-60M Black Hawk helicoptersand related components to the Brazilian government.Lockheed Martin(NYSE: LMT) will serve as the lead contractor on the proposed FMS deal, which includes 12 UH-60M Black Hawk helicopters, associated equipment, logistics, and program support, the Defense Security Cooperation Agency said Friday.Brazil requested to buy T700-GE-701D engines, EAGLE-M embedded global position systems with inertial navigation, and AN/ARC-231A radio systems.Associated components also include identification friend or foe transponders, single channel ground and airborne radio systems, high-frequency airborne communication systems, advanced digital tactical airborne navigation receiver-transmitters, radar altimeter systems, and minigun systems.DSCA said Brazil will use the military helicopters to transport troops and support border security, humanitarian assistance, medical evacuation, disaster relief, and search-and-rescue missions.Brazil will require the deployment of approximately 15 to 30 government and contractor representatives upon implementation of the deal.Source: https://lnkd.in/gsew6YJ5Lockheed Martin Vertical Magazine Vertical Aviation International HeliOps Magazine RotorHub International Aero Aviation News Helicopter Monthly

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Boeing KC-135R Stratotanker 63-8878 of the 100th Air Refueling Wing from RAF Mildenhall taxiing at Geilenkirchen Air Base for a new tanker mission during exercise Astral Knight 2024.Roelof-Jan Gortwww.FlyHighAeromedia.comUnited States Air Force USAFE - AFAFRICA NATO Geilenkirchen NATO Air Base Boeing

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Airbus signs order with LCI and SMFL for 21 latest generation helicoptersMarignane- Airbus Helicopters, LCI, a leading aviation company, and Sumitomo Mitsui Finance and Leasing Company, Limited (SMFL), have announced orders for up to 21 of the latest generation helicopters.The major new order from LCI and SMFL’s joint venture leasing operation, SMFL LCI Helicopters (SMFLH), consists of 14 firm orders plus 7 options. It comprises a mix of light twinH145, medium twinH160,and super mediumH175helicopters. The new helicopters will be delivered through 2028. They will be aimed at a variety of operating segments such as emergency medical services (EMS),search and rescue (SAR), and offshore energy, including wind.The order marks the next phase of the pioneering Flight Path partnership between LCI and Airbus Helicopters, which aims to address the long-term capacity and financing requirements of the industry responsibly. The new Airbus helicopters will offer superior performance, flexibility, and lower CO2 emissions than comparable types and other transportation modes. In addition, they will be equipped with the latest suite of navigational and safety features and will also be capable of using blended Sustainable Aviation Fuels (SAFs).Jaspal Jandu, CEO of LCI, says: “We are delighted to announce our continued business with Airbus. The helicopter marketplace is facing several key capacity decisions as it looks to match supply with underlying demand requirements. This order for up to 21 latest generation helicopters reflects our combined determination to deliver solutions for operators and end users in a lasting, efficient, and pragmatic way.”Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, says: “This substantial new helicopter order from LCI and SMFL marks the next exciting phase of our Flight Path partnership, and aims to provide the required support, at the substantial scale needed, to the mission-critical sector. With our combination of technical and financial innovation, and market knowledge and presence, I’m confident there will be many more chapters to come.”The Flight Path partnership builds upon a 20-year relationship between LCI and Airbus, and the initial phase will see the committed delivery of at least seven latest-generation Airbus helicopters by 2025.LCI and SMFL’s combined fleet currently includes over 40 Airbus helicopters. They are deployed by 12 operators in over 10 countries across the globe on a range of missions including EMS, SAR, and offshore wind, all of which align with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).More of this article at: https://lnkd.in/eMNfbRV3Airbus Aircraft Airbus Airbus Helicopters LCI

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