July 3, 1978

July 3, 1978

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Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Offshore Helicopter Operations Growing

By Erwin J. Bulban

Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Services Uprating Assault Capabilities

By Craig Covauit

Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Helicopter Ownership Cost Decreasing

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Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Offshore Helicopter Operations Growing

Lafayette, La. —Energy industry’s burgeoning offshore activities are straining the resources of helicopter operators to meet the demand for rotary-wing aircraft support around the world. The booming energy market has caused a wave of ocean technology that not only is expanding greatly the industry’s capabilities in exploration, development and production of traditional fossil fuels, but is paving the way for expanded business potential for offshore helicopter operators as the oil industry explores new energy sources, including the ocean’s thermal and chemical potentials.

By Erwin J. Bulban

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Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Services Uprating Assault Capabilities

Washington —Modification programs are under way across U. S. military services to uprate existing assault and logistics helicopters for missions into the 1990s. While only one entirely new aircraft, the Army/Sikorsky UH-60A Black Hawk utility tactical transport, will be introduced into the assault/logistics force fleet, all of the services believe they will bring additional new aircraft on board starting in the late 1980s.

By Craig Covauit

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Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Helicopter Ownership Cost Decreasing

Trend toward techniques for reducing the costs of ownership of helicopters and their engines presages the penetration of rotorcraft into civilian areas where they have been little used in the past because of economic reasons. At the same time, reduced life-cycle costs also will provide a basis for broader usage in the traditional helicopter areas.
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Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Views Divided on Export Growth Rate

Washington — U. S. helicopter manufacturers are divided on whether there will be a steady, moderate increase in their export business or an explosive growth. “We are sitting on top of an explosive foreign market potential,” T. R. Stuelpnagel, president of the Hughes Helicopters Div. of Summa Corp., said.

By Katherine Johnsen

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Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Europeans Seek Advanced Technology

Paris —Research, development and testing of a broad range of advanced helicopter technology is under way in Western Europe, aimed at expanding the foothold of European helicopter manufacturers in both domestic and export markets. Research, development and test activities of individual companies are being supplemented by modest European Economic Commission funding of joint technological studies and exchanges, and are being further reinforced by discussions and preparations for several new multinational European helicopter projects in the military field.

By Robert R. Ropelewski

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Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Army Studying New Weapons, Sensors

St. Louis — Intelligence data on the Soviet Mil Hind D attack helicopter indicating the aircraft has been given an air-to-air antihelicopter role are forcing the Army Aviation Research and Development Command here to assess the weapons and sensors that can be placed on U. S. helicopters to counter this growing Soviet threat.
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Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Helicopter Research Shifted to Ames

Mountain View, Calif. —Reorganized and revitalized U. S. rotary-wing research effort is entering an intensive phase marked by the advent of advanced flight and ground-based facilities that will help provide this nation’s helicopter operators with much-needed new technology.
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Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Industry Tops $2 Billion in Sales Per Sale

Free World helicopter industry is pushing beyond the $2 billion annual sales mark as the growing military and civil markets for its products continue the accelerated trend that began in 1974. Total U. S. and Canadian civil helicopters in 1977, which came to 7,160 in operation and a few on order, represent a 15.8% jump from the previous year.

By Warren C. Wetmore

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Special Report Growing Helicopter Markets

Heavy-Lift Helicopter Emphasis Boon to Construction

Renewed emphasis on heavy-lift helicopters is cheering news to operators in the construction and logging business, where energy demands, environmental concerns and pure economics are dictating requirements for more powerful machines.

By Richard G. O’Lone

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New Directions for NATO

Industry Faces Standardization Hurdle

By Robert R. Ropelewski

June 261978 July 101978