US Army requests production of new helicopters

The Army Contracting Command - Redstone is seeking the complete production of the EC-145/BK117 D3 aircraft for the U.S. Army. The Army announced the request in a Sources Sought Synopsis document released Friday.

“This sources sought synopsis is being used to conduct market research and identify parties with the necessary industry technologies and resources,” the Army said.

The Light Helicopter Product Office (LHPdO) is designated as the product manager for the U.S. Army’s EC-145/BK117 D3 aircraft and would be the recipient/customer of the products sought in addition to possible procurements from other government agencies.

The H145 (formerly Eurocopter EC145) is a twin-engine light utility helicopter developed and manufactured by Airbus Helicopters. Originally designated as the BK 117, the H145 is based upon the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 C1.

The U.S. Army selected the helicopter for its light utility helicopter program in 2006. It is also in Army service under the name UH-72A Lakota.

Twin-engine plane crash near Palmyra, Virginia

A twin-engine plane crashed near Palmyra, Va., on Sunday with at least one person reported dead, according to the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).

The NTSB said on X they are investigating the crash of a Rockwell International Commander 690A (tail number N690BM) in Virginia.

The aircraft departed Manassas Regional Airport on Sunday and headed to Georgetown County Airport in South Carolina. Tracking data provided through the website FlightAware shows the aircraft reached its flight plan altitude of 20,000 feet before crashing.

Several news reports confirm at least one person is dead from the accident.

Multiple Fluvanna County fire companies and law enforcement agencies responded to the plane crash in the area of 264 Miles Jackson Road. Kents Store Volunteer Fire Company advised residents to avoid the area.

“If you live in the area affected by the plane crash (Courthouse Road, Oak Creek Road, Miles Jackson Road) and you locate a piece of the wreckage, contact the sheriff's office immediately and please do not disturb it,” the fire company said in a post on Facebook.

Federal Aviation Administration records show the plane was manufactured in 1975 and registered to Commander 690 BM LLC of Manassas, Va.

The accident remains under investigation.