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2021-06-06

Two More H160s for the French Navy

The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has confirmed an option to Airbus Helicopters, Babcock and Safran Helicopter Engines for two more H160 aircraft for the French Navy, which will join the fleet of four H160s already contracted in 2020.

The six H160s are expected to be delivered in a Search and Rescue (SAR) configuration and will gradually start operating from May 2022 from Lanveoc-Poulmic naval air station (Britany), Cherbourg airport (Normandy) and Hyères naval air station (Provence).

The first sets of the aircraft are currently being assembled by Airbus Helicopters in Marignane, south of France.

The H160s come with enhanced safety features and set a new standard for passenger comfort.
Awaiting the H160M “Guépard” deliveries in the frame of the French Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger: HIL) programme, these H160s will take over the SAR missions conducted by the NH90s and Panthers, allowing these combat helicopters to fulfil their main tasks at sea on board combat vessels.

The H160s were ordered in 2018 and will be maintained and equipped by Babcock in partnership with Airbus Helicopters, and Safran Helicopters Engines ensuring the highest level of availability for the French Navy and the continuity of SAR operations on the Atlantic and the Mediterranean coasts.

Built by Airbus Helicopters, the six H160s will be equipped with a winch and a modular cabin that can be optimised for each mission. The aircraft will be certified for use of night vision goggles which are necessary for winching operations at night.

All the six will be modified into a light military configuration by Babcock, a provider of critical, complex engineering services to governments, to cater to the needs of the French Navy. Babcock will integrate the Safran Electronics & Defense new generation electro-optical system, Euroflir 410.

The H160, as a next generation medium twin engine aircraft, powered by Arrano engines, is modular by design so as to address missions ranging from offshore transportation, private and business aviation, emergency medical services, and public services.

Design Goal

The H160 opens a new chapter in the history of Airbus. Joining the helicopter product range between the H145 and the H175, this innovative medium helicopter is the first member of the H generation.

The entire design was based on one overriding goal: to create added value for customers in terms of performance, economic competitiveness, safety and comfort. With reduced fuel consumption and perceived sound, the H160 is cleaner, quieter than others in its class, and allows customers to take a step towards reducing their environmental footprint.

Innovations include Helionix avionics suite for reduced pilot workload, the canted Fenestron for greater useful load and a flat attitude, and sound reducing Blue Edge rotor blades for quieter operations.

There is also scope for flying more comfortably with an increase in volume per passenger compared to other medium-twin helicopters, and larger windows, creating the brightest cabin in its class.

Safety Enhancer

Innovative features such as simplified pre-flight checks and two minute automatic start-up procedures make the H160 easy to fly and to maintain. Helionix’s accrued pilot assistance reduces crew workload, and the helicopter’s exceptional handling and external visibility contribute to greater situational awareness, enabling pilots to focus on the mission at hand.

There is specific focus on safety which is enhanced by the integration of the first ever computerised rotorcraft flight manual (C-RFM), providing the crew with essential information about the performance of the aircraft in accordance with the conditions of the day, the optional equipment, and the desired flight profile.

H160’s new automation modes provide added comfort to the pilots, enabling them to perform operations with greater ease. Equipped with the world’s first-ever ground helipad assisted take-off procedure, pilots will experience a secure and optimal helipad take-off, and benefit from a reduced workload and risk of human error.

The vortex pre-alerting feature also increases safety by warning pilots when they enter flight conditions that could lead to a vortex ring state if they do not immediately take action. The H160 also includes a tail fin camera, Sea State 6 emergency floatation system and windows that exceed EASA Type IV emergency egress size requirements.

With low fuel consumption, optimised maintenance costs and faster cruise speed, the H160 paves the way for economic competitiveness.

Another big advantage is that fuel consumption is reduced by 15 per cent compared to the previous class of engines for the same operations, while maintenance costs are reduced by nearly per cent on ‘airframe by the hour’ and ‘service by the hour’ options.

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