Airbus Helicopters H160

Twin Rotorcraft

The Airbus H160 represents the European manufacturer's first clean-sheet medium-twin helicopter design in over forty years, entering service in 2020 after a development program that prioritized passenger comfort and operational efficiency in equal measure. Launched to compete directly with the Leonardo AW139 and Sikorsky S-76, the H160 introduced several firsts to the medium helicopter segment: a biplane stabilizer (Blue Edge technology) that dramatically reduces vibration and external noise, canted Fenestron tail rotor for improved yaw control at low speeds, and a cockpit built around Helionix avionics with four large touchscreens. The aircraft's composite airframe and Safran Arrano engines deliver a maximum cruise speed of 155 knots and a range exceeding 450 nautical miles, making it equally capable in offshore oil transport, emergency medical service, and VIP corporate roles. Airbus designed the H160 with modularity at its core: the cabin can be reconfigured between executive layouts seating six to eight passengers and high-density EMS or utility configurations in under an hour without tools. The biplane stabilizer alone cuts vibration levels by half compared to conventional designs, a feature that has made the type particularly attractive to operators flying long over-water legs where passenger fatigue is a concern. France's military selected a variant (H160M Guépard) to replace its aging Dauphin and Panther fleets, with deliveries beginning in 2026. The civilian version achieved EASA certification in July 2020 and FAA validation shortly after, though production ramp-up has been gradual as Airbus refines the supply chain for the all-new Arrano powerplant. SkyMeter has tracked 29 flights across 12 airframes and 1 operators, with the largest observed operator.