Airbus Helicopters H160M Guépard
Summary
| Category | Helicopter |
| Origin country | 🇫🇷 France |
| First flight | 13 March 2015 |
| Year of introduction | 2021 |
| Number produced | 1 units |
Description
The Airbus Helicopters H160 was conceived as a medium utility helicopter to replace the AS365 and EC155 models. Revealed in 2011, the development program cost €1 billion and resulted in the unveiling of the H160 on March 3, 2015, intended as a competitor to the AgustaWestland AW139, Sikorsky S-76, and Bell 412. Production and support techniques analogous to those used for the Airbus A350 passenger jet were employed, utilizing separate test rigs for dynamic and system elements to expedite design. The first prototype was unveiled on May 29, 2015, at Airbus Helicopters’ Marignane facility, and it achieved its first flight on June 13, 2015. The H160 received its EASA type certification in July 2020.
The Airbus Helicopters H160 incorporates advanced manufacturing technologies and materials. Electrical landing gear and brakes replaced conventional hydraulic components, contributing to weight reduction and enhanced safety. The all-composite structure contributes to the H160 being 1 tonne lighter than the AgustaWestland AW139, designed for lower fuel consumption and 15–20% lower direct operating costs. It features the Blue Edge five-bladed main rotor, incorporating a double-swept shape designed to reduce noise generation and increase payload. Aerodynamic innovations include a biplane tailplane stabiliser designed for greater low-speed stability, and a quieter canted fenestron which also produces additional lift.
The H160 is powered by two Turbomeca Arrano turboshaft engines. The gearbox lubrication system includes a redundant backup enabling over five hours of flight following a primary failure without causing mechanical damage. The H160 also features the Helionix avionics suite, developed in collaboration with Esterline CMC, which utilizes four 6 in × 8 in (15 cm × 20 cm) multifunctional displays. A full flight simulator has been developed in partnership with Helisim and Thales Group.
First deliveries of the H160 took place in December 2021. The H160 is currently in use by All Nippon Helicopter for electronic news gathering, starting in 2022. A military-oriented variant, designated H160M, is designed to enter service in 2022. The H160M can be equipped with the anti-ship Sea Venom missile. The French Armed Forces have designated their version as H160M Guépard (Joint Light Helicopter), with plans to replace multiple aircraft types across their Navy, Air Force, and Army services.
Main Variants:
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H160: The prototype civil-orientated model, with three units built, used for initial flight testing and development with varied engine configurations.
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H160-B: The civil production variant, certified in July 2020, representing the standard configuration for civilian operators.
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H160M: The base military-orientated model that can be armed with anti-ship Sea Venom missiles for naval operations.
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HIL H160M Guépard: Developed specifically for the French Armed Forces as part of the hélicoptère interarmées léger program, serving as a joint light helicopter for various military branches.
Technical specifications
| Version: H160 | |
|---|---|
| Maximum speed | 325 km/h (202 mph) |
| Height | 4 m (13.1 ft) |
| Length | 12 m (39.4 ft) |
| Service ceiling | 5900 m (19357 ft) |
| Empty weight | 4240 kg (9348 lbs) |
| Max. takeoff weight | 5670 kg (12500 lbs) |
| Climb rate | 8.9 m/s (29.2 ft/s) |
| Powerplant | 2 × turbines Safran Arrano 1A delivering 956 kW |
Current operating countries
| Country | Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|
|
France | 1 (+174) | |
Numbers in parentheses, e.g. '(+5)', indicate units ordered but not yet delivered.