Charles Alcock is managing editor of the AIN Media Group, having rejoined the company in 2019. He has been an aviation journalist since 1986, and previously worked for AIN from 1990 to 2017, most recently as editor-in-chief. His main focus is on covering new aviation technology and business models, as well as international news.
Having been raised in the London area, Alcock studied at the University of Manchester in the UK and earned an honors degree in Politics and Modern History. He speaks English and French, and some German.

Managing Editor

Airbus Helicopters AS332L, EC225, H215, and H225 series

Charles Alcock

Airbus has delivered a pair of H225M helicopters to the French Armament General Directorate (DGA). The twins are the first of eight aircraft ordered in 2021, the manufacturer confirmed on Friday.
According to the DGA, the H225Ms will be operated by France’s Air and Space Force, replacing Puma aircraft currently deployed in overseas territories including French Guiana, Djibouti, and New Caledonia. The service is harmonizing its fleet and the new helicopters will be used for missions such as search-and-rescue and utility flights.
The H225Ms, known as the Caracal in France, are equipped with Safran’s Euroflir 410 electro-optical system and the Sigma inertial navigation system. Other new equipment in the aircraft includes the Thales VUHF TRA6034 radio and the TSC4000 identification friend or foe transponder.
France was the launch customer for the H225M, and there are now more than 350 aircraft, including the civil H225, in service worldwide. Other military customers include Malaysia, Indonesia, Iraq, Thailand, Singapore, Mexico, the Netherlands, Kuwait, Brazil, and Hungary.
“They have proven on multiple occasions the benefit of this rotorcraft for combat, search-and-rescue, disaster management, and medical evacuation missions,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even. “The French Air and Space Force will benefit from all the innovations that have been implemented on the H225M since the helicopter started operations in 2006 with the French armed forces, further expanding…capability.”

News and issues regarding all manner of civil and military rotorcraft and their powerplants, including helicopters, tilt rotors and unmanned air vehicles.

Airbus Delivers Multi-role H225M Caracal Helicopters to French Military

Pair of H225M twins are part of a batch of eight ordered in 2021

Airbus has begun deliveries of the latest H225M helicopter to France's Air and Space Force, which will deploy them in place of Pumas in overseas territories.

Airbus Delivers H225M Helicopters to French Military

2024 Corporate Aviation Leadership Summit

Matt Thurber

News about simulators and training procedures, as well as workforce.

News and issues relating to business, corporate and private aviation, primarily regarding turbine-engine-powered airplanes and helicopters. Subjects include aircraft, engines, maintenance, operations, personnel, acquisitions, accidents, safety, security, and training.

‘Grass is Greener’ initiative aims to help flight instructors transition to professional flying jobs

Air Methods Introduces Mauna Loa Pilots to HEMS Careers

Essential news and analysis on the defense aerospace business. Your trusted source for new and ongoing programs and requirements in military aircraft (manned and unmanned), engines, avionics, weapons and associated systems, including ground-based air defense.

The twin-engine multirole military helicopter shows off its maneuverability.

NHIndustries NH90 Helicopter Flies at the Paris Airshow

The multirole attack helicopter showed off its agility over Le Bourget.

Airbus Helicopters EC665 Tiger Flies at the Paris Air Show

News and developments about airplanes, helicopters and unmanned air vehicles used in all varieties of operations, including airlines, military, business, commercial, general aviation and private.

News and issues relating to the aerospace industry that are related to the science, engineering and business of flight in space involving civil, industrial and military applications, and similar topics related to flight in the atmosphere of the Earth that are not covered more directly by other AINonline subject channels. In other words, both astronautical and aeronautical subjects, except for those aeronautical topics that are specifically covered elsewhere on this website.

In this article

AS332/EC225/H215/H225

Airbus Helicopters

More In Rotorcraft

Air Methods Introduces Mauna Loa Pilots to HEMS Careers

‘Grass is Greener’ initiative aims to help flight instructors transition to professional flying jobs

NHIndustries NH90 Helicopter Flies at the Paris Airshow

The twin-engine multirole military helicopter shows off its maneuverability.

Airbus Helicopters EC665 Tiger Flies at the Paris Air Show

The multirole attack helicopter showed off its agility over Le Bourget.

Airbus Racer Compound Helicopter Flies at the Paris Air Show

This experimental helicopter is faster and more fuel efficient than a conventional rotorcraft.

Avincis Takes Delivery of Two New Airbus H145s

Purchase marks continued investment in critical-care aircraft

Boeing Advances Apache and Chinook Rotorcraft Development

Boeing is working on more improvements for the Apache and Chinook

S-97 Raider Highlights Sikorsky Advances

Sikorsky’s 210-knot compound helicopter appears in Paris

FAA Flags Fuel Risk in Rotorcraft Sideward Maneuvers

Agency says manual supplements should list fuel safety margins

AIN Products

SUBSCRIPTIONS

RESOURCES

ABOUT AIN