This week in Midweek Updates
SAAF returns its Oryx helicopters from the DRC.
Blacklisted Russian Il-76 carried non-military cargo to Upington.
Piper announces new Seminole DX powered by DeltaHawk.
Piaggio Aerospace: new contract with Italian Financial Police for a P.180 Avanti EVO.
Beyond Aero advances hydrogen-electric jet with key refinements.
Libyan arms embargo seemingly ignored as Gazelle helicopters exported from South Africa.
MightyFly demonstrates autonomous flight and cargo operations for the U.S. Air Force.
Sikorsky converts BLACK HAWK® into U-Hawk™, a battle-ready autonomous UAS
This Week in History - 5 October 1914, first aerial combat kill in history.
World Wide Incidents and Accidents
Bonus Video - Saxonwold War Museum
Three South African Air Force (SAAF) Oryx transport helicopters have flown back from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) under their own power, while two others will be airlifted back. The SAAF is seeing an improvement in aircraft availability across its fleet.
The three Oryx were seen transiting through Livingstone, Zambia, on Sunday 12 October before arriving at Air Force Base Waterkloof in Pretoria.
All three landed at Waterkloof to clear customs, then on to 17 Squadron's facilities at Air Force Mobile Deployment Wing (AF MDW - formerly AFB Swartkop) for the night, aviation expert Dean Wingrin reported.
He explained that one Oryx was serving with the United Nations missions in the DRC (MONUSCO) while the other two were with the South African National Defence Force's (SANDF's) support contingent, and flew from Lubumbashi.
“In addition, the Oryx that was stuck at Goma Airport when M23 took over the area, and which is not airworthy because it took substantial damage from ground fire, has left Goma and will be airlifted back to SA. As will an Oryx from Lubumbashi that has an engine issue,” African Defence Review Director Darren Olivier said.
The Oryx at Goma (1247) was hit over 40 times while carrying out a medical evacuation last year, resulting in injury to the commander as well as a medic in the cabin. The Oryx was badly damaged, with multiple rounds going through the cabin, cockpit, and main rotor blades, and causing damage to the hydraulic system.
In addition to the Oryx helicopters returning from the DRC, the SANDF has been bringing back equipment and remaining personnel that were serving with the now-terminated Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC). For the last month, there have been almost daily flights by chartered Ilyushin Il-76 cargo aircraft between the DRC (Lubumbashi and Kinshasa) and South Africa (AFB Waterkloof).
“Following the disastrous fall of Goma in the eastern DRC in January and the encirclement of South African, Malawian, and Tanzanian forces in the city, which were part of the SADC peace enforcement mission (SAMIDRC), Pretoria began planning to support and protect those troops,” Olivier and Peter Fabricius explained to The Daily Maverick.
“This involved flying in a rapid reaction force to Luano International Airport in Lubumbashi, in the southeastern DRC, along with a smaller number going to Kinshasa. The force, deployed under Operation Impilo, included two Oryx helicopters, anti-aircraft systems, ground support systems for other aircraft, and about 700 combat troops and other personnel. This force remained in place throughout the many months of the SAMIDRC encirclement, and stayed even after all the South African, Tanzanian, and Malawian troops in SAMIDRC withdrew from DRC earlier this year.
“Later, the two Oryx helicopters of the Impilo force were joined by two more that had been released from the United Nations peace enforcement mission in the DRC, MONUSCO, of which SA remains part. Finally, last month, South Africa decided to end the Operation Impilo deployment, which had an unclear legal basis without a specific presidential authorisation letter, and to repatriate all the equipment, helicopters and troops to South Africa,” they explained.
Many of the charters bringing back SANDF equipment are with Fly Sky Airlines, a Kyrgyzstan-based provider of large cargo aircraft.
The return of the Oryx helicopters to South Africa comes at a time of increasing aircraft availability rates. Aviation experts estimate there are about five Rooivalk attack helicopters flying at present, half a dozen Hawk Mk 120 lead-in fighter-trainers, several Gripen fighter jets, numerous BK117 and A109 helicopters, a couple of Lynx naval helicopters, a C212 light transport, and a C-130BZ Hercules transport, amongst others. The Cessna Caravan fleet is also being made airworthy, and there are plans to bring the C47-TP fleet back to flying status.
Blacklisted Russian Il-76 Carried Non-Military Cargo to Upington
Guy Martin www.defenceweb.co.za
An Abakan Air Il-76 transport aircraft that arrived in Upington last week was carrying general non-military cargo, including civilian helicopters and aerobatic aircraft, according to South Africa's Department of Transport.
A City Press/Rapport article over the weekend hinted that it might have been carrying weapons to the nearby Vastrap testing range, and linked the airline to Russia's Wagner Group (Africa Corps), noting the airline was blacklisted by the United States Treasury in June 2024 for transporting Russian military equipment.
Flight tracking data shows the aircraft landed in Upington on 2 October after flying from Dar es Salaam in Tanzania. It had been in the East African country since 18 September.
Department of Transport spokesperson Collen Msibi told IOL that Abakan Air had applied for a foreign operator permit on 9 September and this was issued on 23 September to transport general cargo, civilian helicopters and acrobatic aeroplanes.
“It must also be noted that the South African government has not blacklisted the operator. Furthermore, we have no knowledge or receipt of any information from any other government that this operator has been blacklisted,” Msibi said.
After landing in Upington, the Il-76 refuelled at Lanseria and then departed the country.
African Defence Review Director Darren Olivier noted that there is no evidence provided that the aircraft was under contract to the SA government, or any other. Il-76s are regularly chartered by the South African National Defence Force (SANDF) to move equipment to and from the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC), but the Abakan Air aircraft was not involved in this.
Olivier said there is no proof the Il-76's cargo had anything military-related or nuclear on board, or that it had anything to do with any government and said it was sensationalist to imply otherwise.
“That the aircraft is under US sanction does not mean that South Africa was obliged to deny it entry. Most Russian cargo operators are sanctioned by the US, and most countries including South Africa only fully abide by UN sanctions, not unilateral sanctions,” he added.
Meanwhile, chartered Il-76s continue logistics runs for the SANDF. For example, on 28 September, Fly Sky Airlines Il-76TD with SAAF callsign LMG290 was tracked flying between Lubumbashi in the DRC and Air Force Base Waterkloof. It began almost daily runs in mid-September, either transporting SANDF equipment with the UN mission in the DRC (MONUSCO) or the now-terminated Southern African Development Community Mission in the DRC (SAMIDRC).
Piper Announces new Seminole DX Powered by Deltahawk.
Piper Aircraft, Inc. recently announced the new Piper Seminole DX-a diesel-powered PA-44 Seminole featuring DeltaHawk's FAA-certified, DHK4A180 180-horsepower, heavy fuel, compression ignition engine. The Seminole DX was born from a successful collaboration between Piper and DeltaHawk announced in early 2024.
The liquid-cooled, 180HP turbo-charged DeltaHawk engine produces turbine performance at 40% better fuel efficiency versus reciprocating avgas engines, while also achieving a significant reduction in cost of ownership due to fewer moving parts. The engine is approved for JET A and JET A-1 fuels, with Sustainable Aviation Fuel (SAF) approval pending. Piper will use a Piper-owned STC to integrate DeltaHawk's firewall-forward kits into the Seminole production line. The kit includes counter-rotating DeltaHawk engines and three-blade, full-feather propellers. Additionally, the aircraft will have an advanced cabin temperature control system utilizing the engines liquid cooling to ensure a comfortable flight experience in diverse conditions.
“The market has been heard, loud and clear regarding the need for a reliable, cost-effective, heavy fuel, multi-engine training platform,” said John Calcagno, President and CEO of Piper Aircraft, Inc. “The new Seminole DX fills that market void perfectly. Based on interest received since our MOU announcement last year, we anticipate global market demand for the Seminole DX to be between 25 to 40 aircraft per year over the next 10 years. The DeltaHawk team has been a pleasure to work with over the past 16 months as they epitomize quality and customer focus. Future collaborations are in process as well.”
A 20-year Long Term Supply Agreement (LTSA) designates DeltaHawk as the exclusive heavy fuel, piston engine supplier for the Piper Seminole. Certification flight testing begins in November 2025, with FAA certification expected in Q3 2026, followed by certifications from Transport Canada, EASA, and India's DGCA. Deliveries of 2027 model year Seminole DX aircraft are anticipated to begin in late 2026 or early 2027.
“The installation of our certified DHK engine in the legendary Piper Seminole is a perfect match with our industry-unique features to provide the lowest cost of ownership and the simplest and safest multi-engine training platform ever,” said Christopher Ruud, Chief Executive Officer of DeltaHawk Engines. “Just as important, we see this new 20-year agreement not just in terms of engines, but also as a wonderful step by Piper, utilizing DeltaHawk's powerful innovation, while creating environmental sustainability for general aviation worldwide.”
The Seminole DX offers significant performance enhancements* over the current PA-44 Seminole, including a 35% reduction in fuel burn, a 32% increase in single-engine climb rate, and a 70% higher single-engine absolute ceiling.
Piaggio Aerospace: new Contract with Italian Financial Police for a P.180 Avanti EVO
Piaggio Aerospace announced that it signed a new contract with Italy's Guardia di Finanza - the Italian Financial Police - for the acquisition of one P.180 Avanti EVO aircraft, including initial logistic support and the option for additional units and/or supplies.
The new aircraft will enhance the existing fleet, which already includes two P.180 Avanti II, boosting tactical transport capabilities and operational readiness.
The P.180 Avanti EVO for the Guardia di Finanza represents the state-of-the-art evolution of the iconic model: in addition to being quieter and more environmentally conscious, it features upgraded onboard systems, a widened door for cargo and medevac operations, and an additional fuel tank for extended range and mission flexibility.
This agreement comes at a strategic time for Piaggio Aerospace, recently acquired by Turkish aerospace leader Baykar.
Beyond Aero Advances Hydrogen-Electric Jet with Key Refinements
Beyond Aero has unveiled a refined version of its hydrogen-electric light jet, the BYA-1, incorporating engineering advancements to enhance safety, efficiency and certification readiness. The company remains on track with its goal to deliver the first certified hydrogen-electric light jet by 2030.
The BYA-1 features a battery-free hydrogen fuel cell system with a 2.4MW fuel cell stack, eliminating the need for high-temperature turbines and reducing maintenance complexity. The aircraft's electric ducted fans are managed by a custom FADEC system, optimizing propulsion efficiency across flight phases. For improved crashworthiness, Beyond Aero has integrated 700-bar gaseous hydrogen tanks above the wing box, eliminating high-pressure fuel lines inside the cabin. These refinements aim to enhance safety and also position the aircraft for regulatory approval under EASA's evolving hydrogen-powered certification framework.
Beyond Aero claims that the BYA-1 will cut fuel costs by 65 percent compared to Power-to-Liquid SAFs by 2025 and 17 percent vs. Jet A-1 by 2030. The all-electric powertrain, with 90 percent fewer moving parts, promises to reduce operational costs by up to 55 percent while improving reliability. Designed for business aviation, the jet seats six passengers and boasts an 800 NM range at 310 KTAS, covering over 80 percent of European flight routes. Its 620-meter takeoff roll and 5.5° approach angle enable operations at constrained airports like London City.
An expert advisory committee of executives from Airbus, HondaJet, EASA and Air France has endorsed the aircraft's technical viability. Beyond Aero is actively working with EASA to establish a regulatory framework for hydrogen-powered aircraft, shaping the future of zero-emission aviation.
Backed by $44,000,000 USD in funding, 914 million in LOIs and recent milestones including France's first manned hydrogen-electric flight, Beyond Aero is accelerating the push toward certified hydrogen aviation.
Libyan arms embargo seemingly ignored as Gazelle helicopters exported from South Africa
At least four Gazelle helicopters have been exported from South Africa to Libya, where they have joined the Libyan National Army (LNA) commanded by General Khalifa Haftar.
South African weekend media reports have it the rotorcraft were “quietly exported” from Lanseria International Airport over the past few months aboard chartered flights. They were apparently going to the Mediterranean Sea port city Benghazi.
Darren Olivier, African Defence Review Director, confirmed four Gazelle helicopters were exported from South Africa to Libya adding it was “unclear” if there are export controls on the rotorcraft or that the aircraft carrying them to North Africa had their transponders switched off.
Flight plans obtained by Sunday newspaper Rapport have it the Gazelles exited South Africa over the past two months from Lanseria with Amman in Jordan listed as their destination after a stop - presumably for refuelling - in Nairobi. The most recent flight was that of a TransAvia Export Airlines Ilyushin Il-76 on 18 September into Lanseria, departing the next day. TransAvia is based in Belarus and the Il-76 involved is registered there.
The single-engined French designed and built Gazelles are reported as being former British and French army aircraft. When removed from service, the report has it, the four now in Libya were among Gazelles demilitarised, brought to South Africa and registered with “some changing hands several times before a private company allegedly buying them recently and then sold them to Haftar”. Refitting armour protection and a door-mounted machine gun brought at least some former British and French Gazelles back to semi-gunship standard with South African registered Gazelles also operating in Mozambique some years ago in the hands of private military contractors.
Two weeks ago, four Gazelles were seen taking part in a flypast in Benghazi. The South African registrations on the helicopters were covered with Libyan flag stickers. “The helicopters are, however, still clearly recognisable due to the unique colours in which some are painted,” Rapport has it, adding, “the suspicion is that Jordan is being used as a front to obtain official flight documents”. The Russian air transports reportedly deviate from official flight plans to deliver their cargoes in Benghazi.
The South African Department of Transport (DoT) is reported to be “reviewing” all Il-76 flights this year with a spokesman quoted as saying this will determine how many Gazelles “may have ended up in Libya in a similar manner”. Inquiries regarding the flights were not responded to by South Africa's Border Management Authority (BMA).
“Libya remains under a UN arms embargo, with limited exceptions allowed. It could be argued that those who delivered these helicopters to the LNA are in breach of the embargo, even if these are civilian/demilitarised helicopters and only armed on arrival,” Olivier stated.
“However, it's also unlikely that these helicopters fell under South African arms export regulations, through the NCACC [National Conventional Arms Control Committee], as they're civilian-registered and demilitarised. That means there'd be no End-User Certificate and no legal requirement in SA to verify end user delivery,” he added.
“This has always been a weak point in any sanction's regime, that it's difficult to police civilian equipment that's exported via third countries and only militarised/armed on arrival. But the South African government would no doubt be investigating the people involved for breaching South African Private Military Company laws,” he concluded.
Mightyfly Demonstrates Autonomous Flight and Cargo Operations for the U.S. Air Force
MightyFly successfully conducted a live flight demonstration for the U.S. Air Force as part of its SBIR Phase II contract under the Department of the Air Force's AFWERX program. MightyFly provides expedited logistics services and manufactures and operates autonomous, hybrid-electric vertical take-off and landing (eVTOL) cargo aircraft.
The demonstration, held at the New Jerusalem Airport on May 8, 2025, showcased MightyFly's autonomous cargo aircraft and its patented Autonomous Load Mastering System (ALMS). The Cento aircraft executed a DoD-relevant mission, demonstrating autonomous flight, cargo loading, unloading, and onboard package handling and balance management.
The Cento transported two large boxes from origin to destination. Before take-off, the ALMS-equipped aircraft autonomously positioned and secured the packages into its cargo compartment. The aircraft then closed its nose cone, took off, flew to the destination, landed and ejected the packages without human intervention. It then continued to a third destination.
The demonstration also included autonomous handling of representative packages across key sectors, including healthcare, retail, logistics, manufacturing, disaster relief, and defence.
Sikorsky Converts BLACK HAWK® Into U-Hawk™, A Battle-Ready Autonomous UAS
From concept to reality in 10 months, Sikorsky, a Lockheed Martin company (NYSE: LMT), has transformed a UH-60L Black Hawk® helicopter into the S-70UAS™ U-Hawk™, a versatile autonomous unmanned aircraft system (UAS) that has 25% more cargo space than a typical Black Hawk.
Sikorsky replaced the cockpit section with actuated clamshell doors and ramp, and swapped conventional flight controls with a third-generation, low-cost, fly-by-wire system integrated with MATRIX™ autonomy technology.
The S-70UAS U-Hawk aircraft on display at this week's Association of the United States Army exposition shows a larger cabin space to: Accept longer cargo, such as missiles, Drive on/off an uncrewed ground vehicle, Roll-on/off supplies, Launch swarms of reconnaissance or strike drones, and Carry internal fuel tanks for increased range or extended time on station.
“Sikorsky is innovating a 21st century solution by converting UH-60L Black Hawks into a fully autonomous utility platform,” said Rich Benton, Sikorsky vice president and general manager. “We developed this prototype from concept to reality in under a year, and the modifications made to transform this crewed Black Hawk into a multi-mission payload UAS can be replicated at scale quickly and affordably. The U-Hawk continues the Black Hawk legacy of being the world's premier utility aircraft and opens the door to new capabilities as a UAS.”
Redesign and structural modification of the UH-60L aircraft into its uncrewed U-Hawk configuration is led by rapid prototyping group Sikorsky Innovations. First flight is expected in 2026.
By eliminating the cockpit and internal components, the U-Hawk has 25% more cargo space than the UH-60L Black Hawk. Forward loading and additional useable cabin space of the U-Hawk aircraft now offers the flexibility to accommodate oversized loads up to the same maximum gross weight.
Air-ground team - Drive on/off an uncrewed ground vehicle, such as the HDT Hunter Wolf 6x6 UGV. Cargo - Transport up to four Joint Modular Intermodal Containers (vs. two today). Missile transport - Carry a HIMARS pod of six rockets, or two Naval Strike Missiles. Launched effects - Deploy launched effects carrying sensors/munitions from quivers secured to the cabin. Endurance - Self-deploy over 1600nm or loiter for up to 14 hours without refuelling.
Like a UH-60L aircraft, a U-Hawk variant retains the ability to load cargo from the side door, and externally lift 9,000 pounds (4,080 kg) using its cargo hook.
A tablet gives an operator full command of the U-Hawk aircraft from start-up to shut down.
At the touch of a button, the two clamshell doors open and a ramp lowers to allow easy cargo loading or drive-on capability. To prepare for flight, the automated sequence is reversed.
Once loaded, an operator inputs mission goals via the tablet. The MATRIX autonomy system automatically generates a flight plan, relying on cameras, sensors and algorithms to help navigate the U-Hawk aircraft safely to its destination.
“The U-Hawk offers a cost-effective utility UAS by leveraging commonality with the existing UH-60 fleet, and its uncrewed nature reduces both operating and maintenance costs,” said Igor Cherepinsky, Sikorsky Innovations director. “We focused on efficiencies in the retrofit by designing and manufacturing vehicle management computers, actuation components and airframe modifications. We will incorporate those efficiencies into future modifications and manufacturing for our family of UAS products.”
5 October 1914
First aerial combat kill in history recorded when a Voisin pusher of Escadrille VB24, French Air Service, flown by Sgt. Joseph Frantz and Cpl. Quénault, downed a German two-seater Aviatik B.II, flown by Feldwebel Willhelm Schlichting with Oberleutnant Fritz von Zangen as observer, over Jonchery, Reims, using what is believed to have been a Hotchkiss machine gun.
South Africa, Lanseria Airport: A Vulcan Aviation Institute aircraft crashed in Johannesburg as a result of a technical malfunction. According to preliminary information shared by the institute, the training aircraft developed a sudden technical malfunction mid-air, leading to the crash. The student pilot sustained critical injuries and was rushed to a local hospital in Johannesburg, where he succumbed during treatment.
Kazakhstan, Kostanay Airport (KSN/UAUU): While attempting to take off from Kostanay Airport in Kazakhstan a Qazaq Air de Havilland Canada DHC-8-402Q Dash 8 Scheduled to fly to Astana braked suddenly after a dog ran onto the tarmac caught fire on the left main landing gear after braking. The captain informed passengers of this.
Japan, Tokyo International Airport/Haneda (HND/RJTT): All Nippon Airways (ANA) flight ANA/NH639 from Tokyo/Haneda to Iwakuni, a Boeing 737-800, returned to Haneda due to suspected damage to the nose landing gear by hitting runway edge lights while take off from runway 05 of Haneda. The Boeing made a safe landing on runway 34L an hour later, but could not taxi since both tires of nose landing gear were damaged. No reported injuries among 174 occupants. Eighteen runway edge lights and two taxiway edge lights were also found damaged. At the time of the incident, the runway centerline lights were lit off due to maintenance. The runways 05 and 34L were then temporarily closed. ADS-B data suggests the flight took off aligning with the left side of the runway.
