Rotorcraft
New Rotorcraft 2004
The past 12 months have not been the most thrilling, it has to be said, for anyone on the lookout for new Western helicopters.

The past 12 months have not been the most thrilling, it has to be said, for anyone on the lookout for new Western helicopters. Apart from the first look at an intriguing new European tiltwing design, there has been little to report in terms of new initiatives from the major manufacturers. Most of those seeking certification, with the honorable exception of the AB139, inch toward their goal with all the alacrity of a snail on Prozac.

On the other side of the world, however, the People’s Republic of China has flexed its own design and manufacturing muscle with milestones achieved by two models influenced heavily by Eurocopter designs. Eurocopter has also licensed assembly of one of its newer designs to the same Chinese firm and Bell has also subcontracted work there.

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