Airbus Helicopters H160

The Airbus Helicopters H160 (formerly X4) is a medium utility helicopter being developed by Airbus Helicopters. Formally launched at Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida on 3 March 2015, it is intended to replace the AS365 and EC155 models, with its first test flight expected in 2015 and deliveries in 2018.^[1]

Development

The Airbus Helicopters H160 was first revealed to the public in 2011, at which point it was referred to by company representatives by the designation X4 - a designation which implied it to be a follow-on from the Eurocopter X3, a high-speed hybrid helicopter technology demonstrator. Speaking in early 2011, Eurocopter (later renamed as Airbus Helicopters) chief Lutz Bertling declared that the X4 would be a "game changer", contrasting significance of the innovations it would feature with Airbus' development of fly-by-wire controls.^[2] Early features alluded to included Blue Edge active tracking rotor blades, advanced pilot assistance functionality, and reduced vibration to "near-jet" levels of smoothness.^[2] The X4 was also described as having a "radically different" cockpit, Bertling stating that "The cockpit as we know it today will not be there". It was also announced that the X4 would be introduced in two stages, a interim model in 2017 with some of the advanced features absent, and a more advanced model following in 2020.^[3]

The development program for the X4 cost €1 billion ($1.12 billion), even after numerous cutting edge features, including proposed highly-advanced control systems, were toned down or eliminated as too risky/costly.^[1] On 3 March 2015, the X4 was formally unveiled under the H160 designation. It has been marketed as a successor to the company's existing Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin and competes with the AgustaWestland AW139, Sikorsky S-76 and Bell 412;^[1] Guillaume Faury, Airbus Helicopters Chief Executive, called the H160 "the AW139 killer".^[4] The H160 began Airbus Helicopter's re-branded naming convention; starting 1 January 2016, helicopters in the same range shall bare the 'H' designation, resembling how Airbus names their commercial aircraft.^[5]

Design

The Airbus Helicopters H160 takes advantage of several advanced manufacturing technologies and materials in order to produce a lighter, more efficient design. One weight-saving measure was the replacement of conventional hydraulic landing gear and brakes with electrical counterparts, the first helicopter in the world to do so. In 2015, Airbus claimed that the all-composite H160 would deliver the same basic performance as the rival AgustaWestland AW139 while being a ton lighter, having a lower fuel consumption and offering 15-20% lower direct operating costs.^[1] Other development features, such as de-icing and fly-by-wire, were deemed too heavy or costly for the benefit.^[1] During the development process, an emphasis was placed on making use of Airbus' production and support techniques used in advanced fixed-wing aircraft such as the Airbus A350 passenger jet.^[6]

The H160 is the first aircraft to feature the innovation the Blue Edge five-bladed main rotor. This rotor incorporates a double-swept shape that serves to reduce the noise generation of blade-vortex interactions (BVI), a phenomenon which occurs when the blade impacts a vortex created at its tip; this results in a 3-4 dB noise reduction and raises the aircraft's effective payload by 100 kg (220 lb).^[5] Aerodynamic innovations include a biplane tailplane stabiliser for greater low speed stability, and a quieter canted fenestron (a feature which originated on the cancelled Boeing–Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche scout helicopter) which combined produce an extra 80 kg of lift.^[1] The H160 shall be powered by two Turbomeca Arrano turboshaft engines; a second engine, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210E, was originally intended to be offered as an alternative option, but this was eliminated due to insuffient power output and to reduce design complexity.^[7]

The gearbox lubrication system has a redundant backup which allows in excess of five hours of flight following a primary failure without incurring mechanical damage.^[8] In early 2015, Airbus claimed that the H160 was intended to have a "day one" availability rate expectation exceeding 95 percent. The H160 will feature the Helionix avionics suite based on 6 in × 8 in (15 cm × 20 cm) multifunctional displays, giving it commonality with the company's earlier Eurocopter EC145 T2 and Eurocopter EC175 helicopters; commentators have stated that this move bares similarity to AgustaWestland's aircraft family concept. In 2015, Airbus estimated that there was a market for 120-150 airframes per year.^[5]

Specifications (H160)

Data from Data from Shephard Media^[5]

General characteristics

• Crew: 2
• Capacity: 12
• Gross weight: 5,500 kg (12,125 lb) to 6,000 kg (13,000 lb)
• Powerplant: 2 × Turbomeca Arrano turboshaft engines

Performance

• Cruising speed: 296 km/h (184 mph; 160 kn)
• Range: 833 km; 518 mi (450^[9] nmi)

See also

Aircraft of comparable role, configuration and era

• AgustaWestland AW139

References

External links

• Airbus Helicopters H160 official page