Airbus update H160 progress

Airbus Helicopters H160

Airbus Helicopters have given a progress update on its new H160 helicopter development. The update was given in conjunction with the H160 mock-up making its UK debut during the Helitech show at London’s ExCel Centre.

The company says that the prototype flights have been progressing according to plan and the aircraft has already reached a maximum speed of 175 kts and an altitude of 10,000 feet.

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The second prototype (PT2) is also progressing as per plan since its first power-on in June. The Arrano engines will be installed and tested on the dedicated integration installation, called the Dynamic Helicopter Zero, before the PT2 performs its first flight by the end of this year. To date, the DHC0 has performed more than 70 hours of testing.

“The flight envelope opening of the H160 is well paced – this is a testimony to our excellence in aircraft design and to the relevance of our investments in new generation test benches.”

Guillaume Faury, president of Airbus Helicopters said: “The flight envelope opening of the H160 is well paced – this is a testimony to our excellence in aircraft design and to the relevance of our investments in new generation test benches.”

“We are excited to present the H160 at Helitech and we are in a good position to begin its commercialisation next year, with the end objective of having a fully mature product ready to be delivered in 2018,” Faury added.