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French Navy to get two additional H160s
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20th May 2021
The French Armament General Directorate has confirmed an option to Airbus Helicopters, Babcock and Safran Helicopter Engines for two more H160 helicopters for the French Navy.
The aircraft will join four H160s already contracted in 2020, the first of which is currently being assembled by Airbus Helicopters in Marignane, France. The six H160s will be delivered in a search and rescue (SAR) configuration and are due to begin operations in May 2022 from Lanveoc-Poulmic naval air station, Cherbourg airport and Hyères naval air station.
The six H160 helicopters destined for the French Navy will focus on search and rescue operations. Airbus
autoevolution 21 May 2021, 14:47 UTC ·
by 7 photos
The recent Joint Light Helicopter (“hélicoptère interarmées léger” – HIL) program has the ambitious goal of replacing the 5 helicopter fleets that are currently in service in the French Army, French Navy and French Air Force, with a total of 169 all-new helicopters. Developed by Airbus, the H160M Guépard is designed to become the new model that will replace the previous ones, in all the 3 military branches. But, since deliveries won’t begin sooner than 2026, a temporary solution was needed for urgent missions.
This is how the H160 helicopters came into the picture. The model was already part of the Airbus H range, but only as a commercial version. At the beginning of 2020, it was decided that an interim fleet of H160s will allow the French Navy to continue its Search and Rescue (SAR) missions, as the Alouette III was retiring from service and the Guépard was still pending. The French Armament General Direct
French Navy to get two additional H160s
Primary tabs
20th May 2021
The French Armament General Directorate has confirmed an option to Airbus Helicopters, Babcock and Safran Helicopter Engines for two more H160 helicopters for the French Navy.
The aircraft will join four H160s already contracted in 2020, the first of which is currently being assembled by Airbus Helicopters in Marignane, France. The six H160s will be delivered in a search and rescue (SAR) configuration and are due to begin operations in May 2022 from Lanveoc-Poulmic naval air station, Cherbourg airport and Hyères naval air station.
The six H160 helicopters destined for the French Navy will focus on search and rescue operations. Airbus
Airbus conducts helicopter refuelling certification campaign April 21, 2021
The A400M performs simultaneous refuelling operations of two French Air Force H225M. (Photo: Airbus)
The Airbus A400M airlifter recently completed a majority of development and certification objectives as part of its helicopter air-to-air refuelling certification campaign. Airbus Defence and Space aims to achieve full helicopter air-to-air refuelling certification later this year with the conclusion of all mandatory night operation trials.
Helicopter air-to-air refuelling is a unique military capability and key for Special Forces operations, explains Airbus, involving aircraft with different flight profiles and sharing a very limited common flight envelope, requiring close formation flying patterns at low altitudes and night time conditions.