Airbus Helicopters H160

Twin Rotorcraft

The Airbus H160 represents the European manufacturer's first clean-sheet medium helicopter design in over 40 years, entering service in 2020 after a development program that prioritized passenger comfort and operational efficiency. Launched as a replacement for aging Dauphin and Super Puma variants in the corporate and offshore transport markets, the H160 introduced several firsts for its class: a biplane stabilizer for reduced vibration, Blue Edge rotor blades that cut external noise by 50 percent compared to predecessors, and a fully integrated Helionix avionics suite derived from the H175 and H145 programs. The aircraft's canted Fenestron tail rotor and streamlined fuselage contribute to a maximum cruise speed of 155 knots and a range exceeding 500 nautical miles with auxiliary tanks, making it competitive with the Leonardo AW169 and Bell 525 in the medium-twin segment. Airbus designed the cabin with flat flooring and large windows to appeal to VIP and emergency medical operators, while the Safran Arrano engines deliver 15 percent better fuel efficiency than the Arriel powerplants they replace. The H160 secured its first military order in 2021 when the U.S. Army selected a modified variant as the UH-72B Lakota replacement, and French forces have committed to the type for search-and-rescue missions under the designation H160M Guépard. SkyMeter has tracked 85 flights across 31 airframes and 3 operators, with AIRBUS HELICOPTERS INC the largest observed operator.