Iraq orders 12 Airbus helicopters

Airbus Helicopters has been awarded a contract for 12 H225M multi-role helicopters by the Republic of Iraq. The contract was signed in Baghdad by the Minister of Defence of Iraq Thabet al-Abbassi in the presence of the French Ambassador Patrick Durel.

These helicopters will be operated by the Iraqi Army Aviation command replacing older Mi-17s for a wider range of missions: counterterrorism, special operations, tactical troop transport, attack, ground fire support, MEDEVAC, and combat search and rescue.

Deliveries will start in 2025. Iraq already operates a fleet of Airbus helicopters from the H125, H135 and H145 families.

“We are very pleased to welcome a new member in the H225M family,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.

“The H225M is a combat-proven platform used around the world by many operators, including the French Air Force, for combat search and rescue missions,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “The H225M is unmatched in terms of range, payload and also mission systems.”

The H225M is now equipped with new avionics, an enhanced main gearbox, airborne communication systems and can be equipped with the HForce weapon system. The maximum takeoff weight has been increased by 160 kilograms to reach 11,160 kg. 

There are more than 350 H225s and H225Ms in service across the world, totaling more than 880,000 flight hours. Military customers include France, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, Kuwait, Brazil, and Hungary.

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.

NTSB: Engine trouble caused emergency landing on Virginia highway

The National Transportation Safety (NTSB) released a preliminary report recently detailing the emergency landing of a single-engine Cessna aircraft on a Virginia highway last month.

On Jan. 19, a single-engine Cessna 208B (tail number N1983X), performed an emergency landing soon after departing Washington Dulles International Airport.

Flight 246, operated by Southern Airways Express, from Washington Dulles International Airport to Lancaster Airport in Pennsylvania departed from runway 30.

During the initial climb after takeoff, about 600 feet above ground level, the flight crew noticed that the standby power light in the cockpit illuminated. Shortly after that, a sudden, shattering noise and vibrations came from the engine area.

The pilot instructed the copilot to declare an emergency and initiate procedures to return to Washington Dulles. During the turnback, it became evident that the engine was unresponsive, and the airplane was rapidly losing altitude. The pilot decided to land the airplane on Highway 606, near the perimeter of Washington Dulles.

During the landing, the airplane touched down on the paved surface of the road and collided with a steel guardrail before coming to a stop. The flight crew secured the airplane, and the crew and passengers were met by first responders.

The aircraft was later disassembled and transported to a Southern Airways Express maintenance facility at Lancaster.

The NTSB continues to investigate the accident.

Town Hall meeting scheduled as proposed Fairfax County casino bill stalls in Richmond

Virginia Senators, Delegates, and local Fairfax County supervisors will meet in McLean on Saturday to hold a Town Hall meeting to field comments and concerns over a proposed casino for the area.

Virginia lawmakers recently introduced Senate Bill 675 (SB 675) that outlines plans for Fairfax County to be eligible to host a casino.

Senator Jennifer Boysko, along with Delegate Rip Sullivan and Supervisor Jimmy Bierman, will participate in the Town Hall meeting on Saturday at McLean High School.

SB 675 says the casino would be located within one-quarter of a mile of an existing station on the Metro Silver Line, within two miles of a major shopping destination, and outside of the Interstate 495 Beltway.

A final vote on SB 675 and a voter referendum to approve the casino won't happen anytime soon after the Virginia Senate Subcommittee on Resources voted 4-0 to carry over the bill to the 2025 legislative session rather than move the bill forward.

Vienna Mayor Linda Colbert and Hunter Mill District Supervisor Walter Alcorn were among those who testified in Richmond on Thursday about the detrimental effect a casino in neighboring Tysons would have on the entire region.

“Opposition to the casino bill is one of the Vienna Town Council’s top legislative priorities,” Colbert said. “Supervisor Alcorn and I expressed strong opposition to the legislation today during a Senate Finance Committee meeting this afternoon, and the bill was tabled for a year for further study.”

SB 675, introduced by Sen. Dave Marsden (D-Burke), sought to put a referendum on a future ballot to authorize a casino in Tysons Corner.

Vienna Town Councilmembers, residents, and others opposed to the proposal responded with numerous calls and emails to their representatives in Richmond.

“We are grateful to the Vienna community for signing petitions and sending emails and letters to the Town Council and Virginia legislators opposing the casino,” Colbert said. “We are also thankful for the support we received from our legislative delegation, Del. Holly Seibold (D-Vienna) and state Sen. Saddam Salim (D-Falls Church).”

Georgia Senate passes sports betting bill, House vote next

The Georgia Senate passed Senate Bill 386 (SB 386) on Thursday, a measure designed to regulate and tax sports betting under the oversight of the Georgia Lottery Commission. Lawmakers say Georgia currently “illegally” bets nearly $5 billion a year on sports.

The new measure, SB 386, sponsored by Sen. Clint Dixon (R – Gwinnett), will allocate taxes collected from sports betting to student financial aid programs, including the HOPE college scholarship and Georgia Pre-K programs.

Dixon applauded the passage of the measure, stating, “In passing SB 386, we’ve paved the way for responsible and regulated sports betting in Georgia. As our state evolves, it’s crucial to acknowledge the existing landscape with neighboring states already engaging in this activity. With millions in potential revenue, SB 386 ensures that these funds contribute to the growth of Georgia, supporting essential programs such as the HOPE scholarship and pre-kindergarten initiatives. By implementing safeguards, like prohibiting credit card use for betting and providing tools for self-limitation, we prioritize responsible gambling. The bill’s bipartisan support exemplifies a united commitment to the well-being of our citizens and the prosperity of Georgia’s future. SB 386 is more than a legislative milestone; it’s an investment in education and our economy.”

Dixon serves as Chairman of the Senate Committee on Education and Youth. He represents the 45th Senate District which includes portions of Gwinnett and Barrow Counties.

The bill will now be considered by the Georgia House of Representatives.

EveryMatrix gains access to Pennsylvania online casino market

EveryMatrix has obtained approval to operate in Pennsylvania giving it access to its sixth regulated North American iGaming market.

The technology and content provider has been granted ‘interim authorization’ from the Pennsylvania Gaming Control Board enabling it to offer its software and services to licensed operators in the state.

The Malta-based company has more than 300 global customers with North American licenses and regulatory approvals in all regulated iGaming states including New Jersey, Michigan, West Virginia, Ontario Canada, and most recently Connecticut.

EveryMatrix delivers iGaming software, solutions, and content to online casinos and sports betting services. It will soon begin the rollout of its aggregation services in Pennsylvania via its partnership with betParx alongside expanding existing live customers such as BetMGM, Rush Street Interactive, and DraftKings.

Erik Nyman, President EveryMatrix Americas, said access in the Keystone State is a great start to 2024.

“We will continue to roll out our games portfolio and aggregation services to fill both the content gap while also adding rich bonus and gamification features that will be completely new to the U.S. market,” Nyman said in a company press release. “This will significantly boost our customers’ portfolios with proven, localized revenue-generating titles.”