Airbus H160 Helicopter Expands Global Service
The Airbus H160 helicopter has commenced a month-long demonstration tour across Australia, showcasing its advanced capabilities for missions including emergency response, homeland security, and offshore transport.
With over 50 units currently in use and 15,000 flight hours logged since its commercial debut in 2022, the H160 is noted for its operational safety, comfort, and environmental sustainability, including certification for 50% sustainable aviation fuel. Airbus is expanding production at its Marignane facility to around 60 helicopters annually to meet growing civil and military demand, with French Armed Forces deliveries slated for 2028.
The H160 has also seen recent milestones such as firefighting deployment in Japan, EMS interior certification by the FAA, and integration into France’s flight test training program, underscoring its expanding role in global aviation missions.
Summary
Airbus H160 makes Australian debutAn Airbus H160 has arrived in Melbourne, starting a month-long demonstration tour across Australia. The next-generation helicopter will showcase its capabilities in a wide range of missions, from saving lives to homeland security, natural disaster management, and transporting offshore crew. The H160 is one of the world's most advanced helicopters, designed and built to deliver the highest levels of operational safety and comfort for its class. It is also certified to fly with a 50% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). The aircraft's design reduces environmental impact while enhancing mission performance. Published: October 25, 2025 Published by: asianaviation.com |  |
H160 ramp-up on course as Airbus Helicopters touts growing customer interestAirbnb Helicopters is expanding its H160 model with over 50 examples already in use and plans to introduce its M-standard military version from 2028. The commercial H160 entered service in 2022 and has since amassed 15,000 flight hours. The French navy has leased six examples for use as search and rescue assets. H160 programme manager, Vincent Chenot, praised the type's performance during its trial employment by US operator PHI in the Gulf of Mexico and with offshore operators in Brazil. The military H160M Guepard being developed for the French armed forces is also making progress, with the first flight in mid-July of three prototypes flying. Production deliveries are set to start in 2028 for the military, two years later for the nation’s air force and three years after the first deliveries to France, and the company aims to offer the same configuration to the export market soon after. Published: October 16, 2025 Published by: flightglobal.com |  |
Airbus Sees Growing Corporate Demand For ACH160Airbus Corporate Helicopters is experiencing a surge in corporate demand for its ACH160 twin-engine intermediate rotorcraft, a corporate version of the H160, as production increases to support a doubling of the North American fleet by late 2026. The global fleet of ACH 160s has grown to 35 aircraft, with an additional 18 in the current backlog. Frederic Lemos, head of Airbus Corporate Helopters, sees this growth as positive as he continues to book new orders at a good rate. The H160 is billed by Airbus as the first fully composite civil helicopter. Published: October 17, 2025 Published by: aviationweek.com |  |
Airbus Helicopters ramps up H160 production capacity ahead of first military deliveries to FranceAirbus Helicopters is increasing its production capacity of the H160 helicopter to about 60 per year at its Marignane facility in Southern France ahead of the start of deliveries to the French Armed Forces in 2028. The H160's final assembly line is set at 35 to 40 airframes per year and is expected to be significantly expanded to accommodate both civil and military customers. This expansion follows over 100 civil-variant H160s already produced. The production process is a new type of aviation manufacturing for Airbus, with fuselage manufactured in Germany, tailbooms in Spain, and avionics and other dynamic components located throughout France. Published: October 16, 2025 Published by: janes.com |  |
First firefighting-roled H160 arrives in Japan ahead of 2026 debutThe first firefighting-roled Airbus Helicopters H160 has arrived in Japan, becoming the first operator globally of the medium-twin in a firefighting configuration. The H160, set to enter service in early 2026, will be used for a wide range of public service missions including aerial firefighting, search and rescue, and disaster response. The company is also conducting a month-long demonstration tour of Australia using the H160. Published: October 27, 2025 Published by: flightglobal.com |  |
Next-gen H160 helicopter begins service with French test fleetThe Airbus H160 helicopter has been delivered to France's Directorate General of Armaments (DGA) and will be used by the EPNER flight test school to train future generations of test pilots, engineers, and aircrew. The H160 is set to replace the Dauphin SA 365 N, which has been in service since the mid-1980s for test crew training. The aircraft's advanced avionics, improved aerodynamics, and enhanced mission systems will help shape the next phase of flight test training. This is part of a renewal effort to ensure French test and evaluation capabilities align with the needs of defense and aerospace programs. Published: October 2, 2025 Published by: defence-blog.com |  |
Airbus Expands H160 Presence in Japan with World’s First Firefighting Deployment for Hiroshima Fire ServicesAirbus Helicopters has delivered the first H160 to the Hiroshima City Fire Services Bureau, making it the world's first firefighting operator of the model. The H160, set to enter service in early 2026, will enhance firefighting, search and rescue, emergency medical, and disaster response operations in Hiroshima. The aircraft replaces the AS365 N3, which has been in service since 2006. It features advanced avionics, reduced noise, and improved maneuverability. With over 65 years in Japan, Airbus has supported approximately 380 helicopters in various missions. The new aircraft will provide essential aerial support for ground firefighting teams and help Hiroshima manage wildfire suppression and emergency missions more efficiently. Published: October 27, 2025 Published by: news.europawire.eu |  |
Metro expand Airbus HEMS offerings with FAA H160 STC approval - RotorHub InternationalThe FAA has approved an STC developed by Metro Aviation that allows the company's EMS interior to be fitted into H160s, making it the first completions centre to receive approval for an EMS interior for the medium twin. The company has been working with Airbus for several years to develop a'mission ready' interior for critical care needs. Published: October 27, 2025 Published by: rotorhub.com |
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