Robinson Helicopter Company

As the rotorcraft market rebounds, Airbus and Robinson unveil new platforms prioritizing reliability, affordability and proven technology.

Our roundup of the main aerospace and defense stories making the news this week.

Electric engines and turboshaft developments signal new growth in the light helicopter market sector.

Editors at Verticon run the rule over new programs launched by Airbus and Robinson and discuss other highlights from the event, formerly known as Heli-Expo.

Robinson Helicopter CEO and President David Smith says 295 rotorcraft were delivered last year.

The agreement with United Rotorcraft follows the delivery of an Airbus H130 to Skyryse in late 2023 from Air Methods.

An additional limited production “R66 Riviera” will also be offered with advanced Garmin avionics and a three-axis autopilot.

Dubbed HeliStorm, the lightweight, high-speed electric engine family will cover the 6,000-7,000 rpm range.

Robinson Helicopter Company has announced the launch of the R88, its much-anticipated new large rotorcraft and the company’s first major product-line refresh since the R66 turbine was revealed in 2007.

Leaders in the sector say business is on an upward trajectory after years of stagnation.

Advanced air mobility ambitions, crewed-uncrewed teaming, drone production and an expanded rotorcraft family are key thrusts in Robinson’s growth plan.

Helicopter manufacturers are beginning to turn their attention to modernizing their bestsellers.

For its launch application, Rotor Technologies is offering modified Robinson R44s for uncrewed aerial agricultural missions.

Renewed demand and new technology are prompting manufacturers to turn their attention to the lighter end of the rotorcraft market.

Robinson Helicopter Company debuted in the index’s No. 8 slot, with a score of 7.5/10.

One particularly promising solution to battling wildfires like those in Los Angeles is the use of aerial firefighting with uncrewed helicopters.

The FAA plans to conduct additional flight testing with eVTOL OEMs as it works to develop unified performance-based design rules for vertiports and heliports.

Skyryse has a partnership with Ace Aeronautics, a reseller of former military Black Hawks, to equip the helicopters with the SkyOS automated flight system.

The first application is the Sky One, a modified Robinson R66 light helicopter.

New orders are rolling in, buoyed by upticks in defense spending and increased demand from the public safety, air ambulance and energy sectors.

Suzhou-based WeFly says the agreement with Ruohang is the largest single eVTOL purchase order so far signed in China.

The helicopter company is partnering with United Therapeutics to bring hydrogen-electric propulsion to the R44 and R66.

Robinson Helicopter’s tie-up with United Therapeutics to develop a hybrid-electric version of the R66 is a sign of new CEO David Smith’s drive for innovation.

The proof-of-concept aircraft uses off-the-shelf systems.

With a maximum takeoff weight of 2,500 lb. (1,133 kg), the company describes the aircraft as the “largest civilian drone available for purchase today.”