Aviation International News’ Post

Bell is ready to help modernize US Army aviation. #Tiltrotortechnology will provide the future warfighter with the flight-proven agility, range and speed for the Future Long Range Assault Aircraft mission. Learn how: bell.co/flraa #ArmyModernization #FLRAA

The U.S. Army is evaluating how an optionally piloted capability could make its helicopter operations more effective, in part by reducing the time required to train pilots. Through a Cooperative Research and Development Agreement, Skyryse has begun a project to explore how its SkyOS universal operating system could be installed on the Army’s 2,400 Sikorsky Black Hawk helicopters and potentially other rotorcraft too. Read more: https://hubs.la/Q032-TCy0

The “Gold Top” is an unofficial designation for a heavily modified UH-60M Black Hawk helicopter configured for executive transport. These aircraft are used to transport high-ranking officials, including members of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Congressional leadership, and other Department of Defense personnel. The “Gold Top” variant is characterized by its distinctive gold or bronze-colored roof and gold or white striping along the fuselage, with “United States Army” markings on the tail boom. These modifications are designed to provide enhanced comfort, communication capabilities, and security measures suitable for transporting senior officials. The guys flying these are generally top tier operators with lots of flight time and experience in all kinds of conditions. Even if training they would know the hazards and have been experienced in dealing with them. I don’t know if the bird that went down was one of these variants or not out of belvoir. I have my doubts. I see no evidence of a gold top. As for the other variant, only the DOD knows. I don’t know how many, or if any of these “gold top” birds have this system on them… UH-60 Black Hawk has been modified into an unmanned version known as the Optionally Piloted Black Hawk (OPBH) by Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company. This development is part of the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) ALIAS (Aircrew Labor In-Cockpit Automation System) program. It can operate with or without a human crew, allowing for pilot-optional operations. The system enables automated takeoff, flight, and landing while carrying out complex missions. This capability enhances logistics, casualty evacuation, and combat support operations in high-risk environments. These systems were designed to avoid such hazards and events. That said nothing is 100% safe or full proof… manned or automated systems. Nor are they invincible to all possible conditions and potential converging circumstances and errors. More will come to light in the days and weeks to follow. Othniel Max Daves

🚨🇺🇸✈️ AMERICAN AIRLINES JET AND ARMY HELICOPTER COLLIDE IN DC Narrative A: The collision occurred during routine operations at one of the nation's busiest airports, raising serious questions about airspace coordination and safety protocols. While details are limited, the fact that both commercial and military aircraft were operating in such close proximity is a failure of air traffic management that must be addressed immediately. Narrative B: This collision was a tragic but rare accident, and it's unfair to place blame on air traffic control systems or military protocols without further investigation. The incident highlights the complex nature of shared airspace management in the Washington, DC, area, where military and civilian aircraft frequently operate in close proximity. https://lnkd.in/eWpbugu5

Back in the day as an operations officer I was often flying aircraft into scheduled maintenance (without optionally manned) faster than I could put them back in the air to support mission. And this wasn't "high intensity combat operations". Now we want to take the same aircraft and fly them two/three/fourfold more? Seems we need a platform with better maintenance intervals, a much bigger maintenance tail, or a lot more aircraft. I haven't seen the maintenance intervals for FLRAA but I hope they can keep up better than the current fleet I took to combat years ago. We already know we aren’t getting FLRAA to replace hawks on a one-to-one ratio and we aren’t growing bigger maintenance tails. Amateurs study tactics. Professionals study logistics. #loveyourmaintainers #FLRAA #FLYARMY

In the “it could have been worse” department, an F/A-18F Super Hornet was mistakenly shot down by the USS Gettysburg over the Red Sea during a tense series of events last weekend. Fortunately, the two aviators onboard are safe, with one walking away with just minor injuries—nothing a little flight deck coffee can’t fix. Still, this incident serves as a reminder that even in the high-tech world of modern military aviation, mistakes happen. Here’s the scene: The USS Harry S. Truman Carrier Strike Group was already busy fending off Houthi drone and missile attacks. Amid this chaos, the USS Gettysburg—a Ticonderoga-class cruiser bristling with advanced air defense systems—mistook a returning F/A-18 for, well, something else. The result? A Super Hornet assigned to the VFA-11 “Red Rippers” being shot down over the Red Sea. While the Gettysburg’s air defense suite is state-of-the-art, it seems there’s no software update for “oops.” The US Navy is conducting a full investigation to figure out how this friendly fire incident happened, but the fact remains: the aviators are safe, the carrier group continues its mission and the Gettysburg may want to review its “friend or foe” settings. For now, we’re just thankful this story ends with minor injuries and two very lucky aviators, who undoubtedly have a wild tale to share at the next squadron party. Get the latest aviation news — straight to your inbox, weekly, for free ✈︎ flybuyer.com/subscribe #aviation #aviationnews #pilotlife

☘️ Ireland has signed a contract to purchase four Airbus H145 to replace the Irish Air Corps’ EC135 helicopters. The 91.7-million-euro deal is scheduled to deliver the new platforms by 2027, during which the force’s two remaining EC135s are also set to retire. During its employment, the H145 fleet will be operated for training new pilots before handling larger tactical systems or aircraft under the Irish national police and security air support service. #military #army #defense #defenseindustry #helicopters #ireland

Last night, an American Airlines passenger flight collided with a US Army Black Hawk helicopter as it approaced Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, United States at around 9:00pm local time. When accidents like this happen, it leaves everyone, especially aviators, with a lot of questions. 1. Mid-air collisions are not so common anymore because most aircraft are equipped with Traffic Alert and Collision Avoidance Systems (TCAS). 2. In a radar-controlled airspace, the Air Traffic Controllers are meant to ensure sufficient separation between aircraft. 3. All aircraft have position and anti-collision lights, which makes it easier for pilots to see and avoid potentially conflicting aircraft, especially at night (Although, night flying comes with its peculiar challenges). 4. Aircraft in the US airspace are required to have Automatic Dependent Surveillance–Broadcast (ADS-B), which is an aviation surveillance technology and form of electronic conspicuity. ADS-B enhances flight safety by enabling aircraft to be visible, realtime, to air traffic control (ATC) and to other ADS-B equipped aircraft, improving situational awareness and supporting self-separation between aircraft. All these systems are "barriers" designed for the aviation industry to prevent this kind of accident from occurring. How did all these barriers fail in one night, leading to the mid-air collision of the two aircraft? As we await the outcome of the National Transport Safety Board (NTSB) investigation, my prayers are with the families of the crew and passengers🙏🏽.

As the United States Air Force prepares to accept the final T-7A #RedHawk EMD jet, Lt. Col. Shay Brantigan, Commander of the 416th Flight Test Squadron, Edwards AFB, recently took it for a test flight. In the defense business, there’s nothing more valuable than hearing directly from the customer about how our products are performing.   Lt. Col. Brantigan gave us a firsthand look at the T-7A’s handling qualities and how this advanced trainer is set to transform the future of fighter pilot training.   The #T7RedHawk is not just an aircraft—it’s a true game-changer for aviation and the next generation of pilots.