From the British base, a twin-rotor helicopter ferries U.S. Marines and equipment to Camp Dwyer, another British base that now is also home to the U.S. Marines 24th Expeditionary Unit.

NPR: Trip Illuminates Life on Bases Across Afghan Desert

This means it can hover like a helicopter, but when flying forwards can reduce the speed of the main rotor and let the wings provide part of the lift.

ECONOMIST: Chop, chop

The second is the introduction of the world's first civilian tilt-rotor aircraft a cross between a light aircraft and a helicopter.

ECONOMIST: INNOVATION