Description
The Airbus H160 was developed in 2013-2015 by French-German Airbus Helicopters group and is manufactured at a plant in the neighborhood of Marseille, France. For the first time this model was introduced to the public in March 2015 in the United States. In 2018, its small-scale production was launched, with the mass production starting in 2020.
Structural features
This multipurpose helicopter design embraces 68 patented advanced technologies developed by Airbus Helicopters. German innovative composite materials are widely used for its production.
Airbus H160 is characterized by its contemporary design in a dynamic and futuristic style – featuring smooth lines, a flat cabin, and huge windows.
It is the first ever civilian helicopter with a 100% composite frame. It is light, but durable; more resistant to damage caused by material corrosion. The fuselage and the main rotor are made of innovative composite thermoplastic as well – which is light and damage resistant.
BlueEdge blades are curved at the ends like a hockey stick. When rotating, they create a rotational flow around the edges. This turbulence is reduced by bending, with the aircraft acoustic signature dropping by 3-5 decibels and flight characteristics, on the contrary, increasing, just like the load capacity do (by 100 kg).
The combined five-bladed main rotor with changeable gear values significantly improves the helicopter’s handling characteristics, without the need to install active vibration systems.
Two Safran Turbomeca Arrano 1A turbo engines are equipped with two-stage centrifugal compressors and adjustable guide vanes at the inlet. Economical fuel consumption is ensured at all the flight stages – especially at cruising speed.
Instead of traditional hydraulics an electric drive has been used for Airbus H160 chassis and brakes (which is another innovative solution). The on-board electronic monitoring and diagnostics systems keep monitoring the main parameters and reminds of the time of the forthcoming maintenance procedures. Information is transmitted to both aircraft electronics and ground personnel.
Helionix aircraft electronics system located in the Airbus H160 cockpit is similar to those successfully used for the company’s other twin-engine models (H135, H145 and H175). All information is quickly displayed on four large touch screens.
Helionix aircraft electronics significantly reduces the workload upon pilots. In real-time mode, it recommends an optimal flying route, which is chosen and adjusted according to weather conditions, the synthetic vision system indicators, and ground obstacle avoidance. The system is connected to a four-axis autopilot. It operates together with a flight mode restriction indicator, which reflects the key engine operation parameters.
Practical application options
The passenger compartment is versatile: it can be easily adapted to host 4-8 passengers (as in business aviation). Or it is possible to place additional seats and accommodate 12 passengers. Anyway, the luggage compartment will remain rather spacious for any configuration, with the load capacity of up to 300 kg.
The compartment design can vary greatly, according to the customer’s goals and requirements: from economy to VIP level. Depending on the compartment layout and the number of seats, the helicopter can be used in private business aviation and various government agencies; or for operating in emergency and medical services, and coast watch; for servicing oil and gas pipelines, delivering personnel to oil and gas platforms, as well as hard-to-reach fields.
