Airbus finalizes the acquisition of U.S.-based Aerovel and its unmanned aerial system (UAS), Flexrotor, in a move to strengthen its portfolio of tactical unmanned solutions. Flexrotor is a small, tactical, unmanned aerial system designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions at sea and over land.

Bell Textron Inc., a Textron Inc. (NYSE: TXT) company, reveals its Aircraft Laboratory for Future Autonomy (ALFA) based on the Bell 429 commercial aircraft. Developed by Bell's Advanced Programs team, ALFA is dedicated to performing flight maneuvers with an aircraft safety system and executing autonomous fly-by-wire flights. The fly-by-wire integration was a critical step in future development of autonomous controls for Bell’s commercial aircraft, an emerging technology that aims to reduce pilot workload and enhance safety.

Airbus Helicopters has signed a contract with the Ministry of Defence of Brunei for the acquisition of six H145M helicopters.

Baldwin Safety & Compliance, a Portside company, announces the appointment of a new leadership team following the retirement of founders Nancy and Don Baldwin at the end of May 2024.

Airbus Helicopters’ Racer demonstrator, developed in the frame of the European Research Clean Sky 2 project, performs its first flight in Marignane. The aircraft flew for about 30 minutes, allowing the flight-test team to check the overall behavior of the aircraft. This important milestone launches the flight campaign, which will take two years and will aim to progressively open the aircraft’s flight envelope and demonstrate its high-speed capabilities.

Airbus Helicopters and GDAT sign a contract for up to 20 H175 helicopters (ten firm orders and ten options). GD Helicopter Finance (GDHF), a start-up helicopter leasing and finance company based in Dublin, Ireland, will be marketing these H175 helicopters to customers in the energy, SAR, EMS and parapublic market segments worldwide.

Toll Aviation and Aviation Specialties Unlimited (ASU) partner to create an NVG center and provide unparalleled support and swift, efficient maintenance servicing and repair of night vision goggles (NVG) for the Oceania Region.

In anticipation of the FAA's announcement made April 22 that companies conducting air tours, air-ambulance operations, charters, and commuter flights must implement a safety management system (SMS) program within 36 months of the effective date of the rule, Vertical Aviation International (VAI) has developed programs to make it as easy as possible for operator members to implement SMS.

The UK Ministry of Defence orders an additional six Airbus H145 helicopters as the next step in renewing its rotary fleet and cutting the number of different types in service.

Eve Air Mobility ("Eve") (NYSE: EVEX; EVEXW) signs a letter of intent with AirX Inc., Japan’s largest public helicopter air-charter service, for up to 10 firm and up to 40 optional electric vertical takeoff and landing (eVTOL) aircraft. The order will support the continued development and scaling of innovative transportation operations in Japan.