Based in London, Tony covers European defense programs. Prior to joining Aviation Week in November 2012, Tony was at Shephard Media Group where he was deputy editor for Rotorhub and Defence Helicopter magazines. Tony has covered avionics, unmanned vehicles, the supply chain and cyberwarfare.
LONDON—Airbus Helicopters has been awarded European Aviation Safety Agency certification for the utility version of its EC145 twin-engine light helicopter. The EC145, previously known as the EC145e, is essentially a civil version of the UH-72 Lakota Light Utility Helicopter being delivered to the U.S. Army, but equipped for single-pilot day and night operations.
AgustaWestland-owned subsidiary PZL-Swidnik has publicly rebutted a number of statements made by the Polish defense ministry after the company failed to secure a lucrative helicopter contract for the Polish armed forces.
U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF) officers hope the planned Block 8 upgrade for its fleet of Lockheed Martin C-130J Hercules airlifters and the capabilities it will bring will be ready for operation by 2019.
