Aviation

US Army and Sikorsky agree on a $2.3 billion purchase of Black Hawk helicopters

PRNewswire, June 27, 2022 — STRATFORD, Conn. A five-year agreement was made between the US government and Sikorsky, a subsidiary of Lockheed Martin (NYSE: LMT), for the delivery of 120 H-60M Black Hawk helicopters to the US Army and clients for Foreign Military Sales (FMS). Thanks to a hot manufacturing line, an advanced, well-established supply chain, and a digital factory, Sikorsky continues to modernize and enhance the Black Hawk to suit the Army’s demanding and changing tasks.

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The “Multi-Year X” contract for the UH-60M Black Hawk and HH-60M MEDEVAC helicopters is the tenth such agreement for H-60 helicopters between Sikorsky and the US government. The Black Hawk continues to be the workhorse and foundation of U.S. Army Aviation, with more than 2,100 H-60 versions in the inventory of the U.S. Army. The Army will continue to use the H-60M for the foreseeable future along with the future fleet while it develops its Future Vertical Lift (FVL) capabilities.

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Aviation

SpiceJet to Reintroduce Seaplane Routes in 2025

In a major development for regional connectivity and tourism, Indian low-cost carrier SpiceJet has announced its plans to relaunch its seaplane services in 2025. As reported by News18.

This ambitious initiative marks the airline’s return to seaplane operations after a hiatus caused by the COVID-19 pandemic, and it aims to improve access to some of India’s most remote and underserved regions.

The announcement was made in November 2024 by SpiceJet’s Chairman and Managing Director, spicejet ajay singh, during a demonstration flight from Prakasam Barrage in Vijayawada to the Srisailam Dam. The event was attended by Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister N. Chandrababu Naidu and Civil Aviation Minister K. Rammohan Naidu.

As part of this effort, SpiceJet has partnered with De Havilland for the trials and is providing crucial engineering, technical, and logistical support.

SpiceJet has been granted rights to operate seaplane services on 20 routes, including key destinations such as Lakshadweep, Hyderabad, Guwahati, and Shillong. The airline is now preparing to roll out services on these routes as soon as the necessary infrastructure is in place.

A whole new way to discover India is on the horizon! SpiceJet’s upcoming seaplane operations will bring you closer to stunning shores, scenic lakes, and remote islands. Join us in 2025 for the journey of a lifetime!

Read the full story on News18: https://t.co/Ws7BVweDCN… pic.twitter.com/7y8sx1e1du
— SpiceJet (@flyspicejet) November 9, 2024

The airline originally pioneered India’s first scheduled seaplane service in October 2020, connecting the Sabarmati Riverfront in Ahmedabad with the Statue of Unity in Kevadia, Gujarat. However, the operations were paused due to the COVID-19 pandemic.

Now, spicejet is poised to resume this innovative mode of transport, continuing its commitment to the UDAN (Ude Desh ka Aam Nagrik) scheme, which aims to make air travel more accessible to the masses.

SpiceJet’s CEO highlighted the role of seaplane services in bridging transportation gaps, particularly in areas that have limited access to conventional air travel. The upcoming resumption of seaplane operations is seen as a significant step forward in making travel to remote destinations more affordable and accessible.

Additionally, the airline sees potential for these services to support tourism, as well as provide a reliable transportation option during emergencies, such as natural disasters when land-based access is compromised.