Airbus Helicopters H160 (formerly X4)

[TomS]

This is not new for France. It should work fine... Maybe the US Coast Guard will need new helicopters. B)

With the current MH-65 rebuilds, not until the mid-2030s, supposedly.

Airbus might persuade senior civilians with the USCG otherwise.

I really doubt there will be any money. There's a reason they didn't buy new this time around and not for the lack of wanting a new helo.

 

[RavenOne]

I attended Le Bourget for Paris Air Show 2010 so Here are my photos of the H160M mock up, below.

cheers

 

[RavenOne]

Also officially there is order for 4 x SAR platforms for the Aeronavale. The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) is to supply four H160s to the French Navy for search and rescue missions through a partnership between Airbus Helicopters, Babcock, and Safran Helicopter Engines.

Four H160s for the French Navy’s search and rescue missions

The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) is to supply four H160s to the French Navy for search and rescue missions through a partnership between Airbus Helicopters, Babcock, and Safran Helicopter Engines.

www.airbus.com

This suggests to me a Little of the UK COMR - Commercial Owned Military Rotorcraft..program

cheers

 

[TomcatViP]

Was there ever any RFP issued? IMOHO a Puplic/private partnership to fill a public service need would have legally required one.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Was there ever any RFP issued? IMOHO a Puplic/private partnership to fill a public service need would have legally required one.

"My Lord...is that legal?"

"I will make it legal."

 

[MihoshiK]

Was there ever any RFP issued? IMOHO a Puplic/private partnership to fill a public service need would have legally required one.

IIRC not for defense purposes. Any RFP related to Defense is a courtesy, and once issued must be followed, but an EU country can just say "I want that" and be done with it.

 

[TomcatViP]

Search & rescue is civilian. COMBAT Search & rescue is military. The French Navy field a public services mission for sea search & rescue. Those are not combat helo and does not constitue a defense sovereign force.

See here (In French) :

SAUVETAGE EN MER - snsm, crs, pompiers, marine, gendarmerie, douanes, securite civile

Sauvetage en mer : Tout un dossier synthétique sur l'organisation et le déroulement des opérations de secours sur notre littoral français. snsm, bnssa, bateau, marine, sauvetage en mer, mer, plage, plongee, gps, marine nationale, meteo, meteo france, secourisme, maritime, meteo marine, webcam...

sauvmer.free.fr

So we are where I said we were.

 

[MihoshiK]

Search & rescue is civilian. COMBAT Search & rescue is military. The French Navy field a public services mission for sea search & rescue. Those are not combat helo and does not constitue a defense sovereign force.

See here (In French) :

SAUVETAGE EN MER - snsm, crs, pompiers, marine, gendarmerie, douanes, securite civile

Sauvetage en mer : Tout un dossier synthétique sur l'organisation et le déroulement des opérations de secours sur notre littoral français. snsm, bnssa, bateau, marine, sauvetage en mer, mer, plage, plongee, gps, marine nationale, meteo, meteo france, secourisme, maritime, meteo marine, webcam...

sauvmer.free.fr

So we are where I said we were.

French. Navy.

That's defense. It might be a public service, but it still falls under the ministry of defense.

Also holy shit, that website comes straight out of the nineties.

 

[bob225]

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKOIAM9BcWQ


Cool video

 

[TomcatViP]

Yes cool one. Scary low at some point.
Sad they did not adopt a special paint sheme for the occasion...

 

[Archibald]

La mort aux trousses !

Nowadays F1 cars are really ugly.

 

[TomcatViP]

As good as real: behind the scenes of the H160 full flight simulator’s qualification

Airbus has provided a look inside the elaborate and collaborative process of constructing what is described as "an indispensable training tool for H160 pilots."

verticalmag.com

 

[RavenOne]

First H160 for All Nippon Helicopters flew yesterday on 95 minute flight

All Nippon Helicopter’s H160 completes first flight

All Nippon Helicopter’s (ANH) H160 has performed its first flight test, a 95-minute flight at the Marseille Provence Airport.

www.airbus.com

cheers

(photos courtesy of Airbus)

 

[RavenOne]

This is not new for France. It should work fine... Maybe the US Coast Guard will need new helicopters. B)

With the current MH-65 rebuilds, not until the mid-2030s, supposedly.

Airbus might persuade senior civilians with the USCG otherwise.

Well during the USA tour post Heli Expo 2018, the USCG folk got to play around with it .

cheers

 

[Conspirator]

wow. this thing doesnt even look like a warbird even with side weapons. and another thing i noticed was the camber of the tail rotor. ?????????? anybody know why?

 

[riggerrob]

was the camber of the tail rotor. ?????????? anybody know why?

The tail rotor is tilted to allow it to assist with pitch trim when poorly-balanced.
Tilted tail rotors debuted on Sikorsky CH-53 later models and H-60 Blackhawks.

 

[TomcatViP]

The main rotor blades rotation induces a difference of lift b/w the side of the advancing blades (more speed->more lift) and the one with the retreating ones (less speed... Less lift). This creates a banking motion that has to be compensated through trim (the rotor disc is canted regarding the vertical axis of the fuselage trough the swashplate). This lead to a loss of total lift since the acting Lift component is only the rotor lift time the cosinus of the angle (it also results in less travel amplitude for each blade motion (pitch)).

It is obvious to undertand that the more power, the more lift, the more losses you get that way.
Canting your anti-torque rotor to balance the difference of lift along the main rotor disc is a good way to obtain a similar result without most of the trim losses. The rear rotor push downward to balance the helicopter.

 

[Conspirator]

was the camber of the tail rotor. ?????????? anybody know why?

The tail rotor is tilted to allow it to assist with pitch trim when poorly-balanced.
Tilted tail rotors debuted on Sikorsky Ch-53 later models and H-60 Blackhawks.

ooooohhhhhhh thank you that makes so much more sense
as far as i know they have never done that thx!

 

[yasotay]

This is not new for France. It should work fine... Maybe the US Coast Guard will need new helicopters. B)

With the current MH-65 rebuilds, not until the mid-2030s, supposedly.

Airbus might persuade senior civilians with the USCG otherwise.

Well during the USA tour post Heli Expo 2018, the USCG folk got to play around with it .

cheers

Given that the USCG has a history with AIRBUS, with the Dauphin are getting old, I think there is a fair chance for the H160. Most of the US offerings are either not ready (FVL types), or too large (Bell 525, S-76) I think, The exception maybe more H-60 (single type supply with all US DoD, might be an argument there), to reduce the USCG to one helicopter type across the board. H-60 however may be too big to operate from some of the USCG cutters, necessitating a smaller craft.

 

[Conspirator]

This is not new for France. It should work fine... Maybe the US Coast Guard will need new helicopters. B)

With the current MH-65 rebuilds, not until the mid-2030s, supposedly.

Airbus might persuade senior civilians with the USCG otherwise.

Well during the USA tour post Heli Expo 2018, the USCG folk got to play around with it .

cheers

Given that the USCG has a history with AIRBUS, with the Dauphin are getting old, I think there is a fair chance for the H160. Most of the US offerings are either not ready (FVL types), or too large (Bell 525, S-76) I think, The exception maybe more H-60 (single type supply with all US DoD, might be an argument there), to reduce the USCG to one helicopter type across the board. H-60 however may be too big to operate from some of the USCG cutters, necessitating a smaller craft.

i feel like they are gonna go for it. they have always been the ones to accept new tech and this is definitly not an exeption that's for sure.

 

[TomcatViP]

Definitely an aircraft based on any of FVL airframe will revolutionize the USCG.

That was already the case when both the Dauphin and Falcon 20s were selected. Times have changed...

 

[yasotay]

Definitely an aircraft based on any of FVL airframe will revolutionize the USCG.

That was already the case when both the Dauphin and Falcon 20s were selected. Times have changed...

I woud fully agree with you if the FVL platforms were more mature and did not promise to be more expensive. IF the Dauphin can hang on another decade there might be an FVL option for sure. During that time AIRBUS will be plying the USCG with great offers. Even through H160 would only be a slight progress over Dauphine, I think USCG will be tempted at a lower cost option.

 

[RavenOne]

4 x H160 for the Gulf of Mexico as PHI ordered them for Shell contract

ttps://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2021/02/Shell-selects-H160-for-operation-by-PHI-in-Gulf-of-Mexico.html?fbclid=IwAR1fiIOHWfyZKueoEw7axJtSCOGKB-WIdulTCudBfyUayz1I-nPIPQl0zJs

 

[TomcatViP]

Arrano engine granted FAA approval on H160

FAA Approves Safran Arrano, Paves Way for Airbus H160 | AIN

Safran Helicopter Engines’ Arrano 1A has received FAA type certification for installation in the Airbus Helicopters H160

www.ainonline.com

 

[TomcatViP]

Brown out test campaign achieved (none of the results are discussed) :

La DGA teste le Guépard d'Airbus Marignane au Maroc - Marignane - Aéronautique - Maritima.Info

La Direction générale des armées, l’armée de terre et Airbus Helicopters viennent de conclure une campagne d’essais

www.maritima.info

 

[TomcatViP]

Avionics test begin (on another platform) :

Thales débute les essais de la future suite avionique de l'hélicoptère interarmées léger "Guépard" - Zone Militaire

Si le programme d'hélicoptère interarmées léger "Guépard" doit être officiellement lancé d'ici la fin de cette année, les premiers développements de ce

www.opex360.com

 

[VTOLicious]

Airbus sees market for hundreds of H160Ms outside France​

https://verticalmag.com/news/airbus-sees-market-for-hundreds-of-h160ms-outside-france/

 

[Fluff]

Definitely an aircraft based on any of FVL airframe will revolutionize the USCG.

That was already the case when both the Dauphin and Falcon 20s were selected. Times have changed...

I woud fully agree with you if the FVL platforms were more mature and did not promise to be more expensive. IF the Dauphin can hang on another decade there might be an FVL option for sure. During that time AIRBUS will be plying the USCG with great offers. Even through H160 would only be a slight progress over Dauphine, I think USCG will be tempted at a lower cost option.

presumably faster transit means less stations and aircraft, for the same response time. Interesting exercise there.

 

[yasotay]

Definitely an aircraft based on any of FVL airframe will revolutionize the USCG.

That was already the case when both the Dauphin and Falcon 20s were selected. Times have changed...

I woud fully agree with you if the FVL platforms were more mature and did not promise to be more expensive. IF the Dauphin can hang on another decade there might be an FVL option for sure. During that time AIRBUS will be plying the USCG with great offers. Even through H160 would only be a slight progress over Dauphine, I think USCG will be tempted at a lower cost option.

presumably faster transit means less stations and aircraft, for the same response time. Interesting exercise there.

Absolutely agree. However, fewer aircraft usually means higher cost per unit. The USCG has an incredibly small budget vis-a-vie the services of the DoD. Completely retooling, and retraining is a far greater challenge to them. While they naturally would like the greater speed and range associated with the FVL platforms, the financial implications of acquisition may play a greater role in that decision.

 

[RavenOne]

First ever H160 delivered today to Japanese operator All Nippon Helicopter

Airbus delivers world's first H160 in Japan

Airbus has delivered the first ever H160 to Japanese operator All Nippon Helicopter (ANH), heralding a new chapter for this next generation twin-engine helicopter. With 68 patents, the innovative H160 is the world’s most technologically advanced helicopter.

www.airbus.com

cheers

 

[TomcatViP]

Seeing the last pic, I wonder again who has the best peripheral vision: a CH-53 pilot, CH-47's, Mil-26'S or the one of an H-160?

 

[TomcatViP]

Program move frwd anyway with prototypes and EMD:

France signs for 169 H160M Guepard helicopters, with deliveries to start in 2027

France has ordered 169 Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepards for the three branches of its armed forces, officially kicking off development activity for the type.

www.flightglobal.com

 

[Archibald]

169 helicopters ! It's Christmas before Christmas. Those days, not everyday one see such a "massive" order of flying machines for any French military force.

 

[RavenOne]

Program move frwd anyway with prototypes and EMD:

France signs for 169 H160M Guepard helicopters, with deliveries to start in 2027

France has ordered 169 Airbus Helicopters H160M Guepards for the three branches of its armed forces, officially kicking off development activity for the type.

www.flightglobal.com

Here is the official skinny

The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the development and procurement of the H160M in the frame of the Light Joint Helicopter programme (HIL). The contract includes the development of several prototypes and the delivery of a first batch of 30 aircraft (21 for the army, 8 for the navy and one for the air force).

France orders the H160M for its Joint Light Helicopter programme

The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the development and procurement of the H160M in the frame of the Light Joint Helicopter programme (HIL).

www.airbus.com

cheers

 

[yasotay]

Other than the rotors turning in the wrong direction it seems to be a solid aircraft. So I am told by someone who got to fly it on the US Tour.

 

[H_K]

First time I’ve seen detailed dimensions for the H160: https://www.gov.br/anac/pt-br/assun...valiacao-operacional/RelAvOp_H160_B_Rev_0.pdf

The document also has some interesting info on the differences between the H160 and H175.

 

[helmutkohl]

The French Armament General Directorate (DGA) has signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the development and procurement of the H160M in the frame of the Light Joint Helicopter programme (HIL). The contract includes the development of several prototypes and the delivery of a first batch of 30 aircraft (21 for the army, 8 for the navy and one for the air force).

question, will this function for the French army similar to how the Blackhawk serves the US Army?
I was always surprised the French army never really adopted the dauphin.

 

[yasotay]

I believe the French have used Puma, Super Puma, and NH-90 in that role.

 

[H_K]

question, will this function for the French army similar to how the Blackhawk serves the US Army?

Although the H160M isn’t in the same class as a Puma/NH90/Blackhawk, it will be able to take over some missions that previously required a larger transport helicopter, e.g.

- Fire support
- Airborne command post
- Immediate extraction of downed aircrews
- Medevac
- Liaison missions
- Light resupply

This will allow the Army to focus those larger helicopters on actual transport missions.

 

[TomcatViP]

The main difference is to offer coherent ballistics protection and having a power module and rotor system accurately sized for a military mission...

With no modifications to the engines power output, weak ballistic protection and the same main and torque rotors, the H-160 just promise to be another sluggish inadapted beast from AirbusM.

I am disappointed they didn't even try to go for the more tailored H-175.

And that nose... What the heck are that extra useless 2m of designer wet dream?