Airbus Shows Military Version of H160 Helicopter

Airbus Helicopters displayed a large model of the H160M at last week’s Eurosatory show in Paris. The design is a militarized version of the six-tonne, 160-knot H160 medium twin helicopter that is now in flight test. It has been selected as the platform for the Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger (HIL, joint-service light helicopter) program, which aims to replace seven fleets across the French air force, army and navy with a single type.

In early 2017 then-defense minister Jean-Yves Le Drian announced that the H160M had been selected for the HIL requirement, specifying at the time a need for between 160 and 190 helicopters. That figure subsequently crystallized as 169, including 38 for the air force. No acquisition funds were allocated in the French 2019 to 2025 defense procurement law, although there is funding for continued risk-reduction and design refinement work. However, there is a clear need for modern helicopters and procurement may be accelerated. If not, the H160M is likely to enter French service around 2028.

The H160M is currently being proposed in distinct versions for the three services. They are weaponized using the Airbus Helicopters HForce system, including side-mounted stub pylons. All versions share common features, such as an electro-optical turret under the nose and 7.62-mm door guns.

The first version that is likely to be developed is that for the French Navy, which is seeking to replace its Dauphin, Panther, and Alouette III helicopters with the HIL. Intended to serve alongside the NH90, the naval version will have a deck landing harpoon, strengthened undercarriage, and folding blades. It will be fitted with a search radar and be armed with MBDA ANL (anti-navire léger) light anti-ship missiles.

In French Army service the H160M is intended to replace the Fennec and Gazelle in roles such as observation and armed scout, supporting the army’s Tiger attack helicopters. The aircraft is proposed with a forward-firing 20-mm cannon mounted on the port weapon stub and laser-guided rockets, the Thales FZ275 being the most likely option.

The French air force would replace its Fennecs and Pumas with the HIL. The roles would include search and rescue, anti-helicopter/UAV, intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), liaison, and transport. The air force requires the HIL to be capable of in-flight refueling from KC-130J and A400M tankers.

All three French services require the HIL to have the datalinks necessary to cooperate with UAVs in manned-unmanned teams (MUM-Ts). The navy, in particular, needs its HIL aircraft to work in conjunction with rotary-wing UAVs such as the VSR700 that is now in development by Airbus. The company recently performed MUM-T trials in Austria involving an H145 operating with a Schiebel Camcopter.

In the meantime, the three civilian-standard H160 prototypes have flown around 800 of the 1,100/1,200 flight hours required to achieve certification, which is expected next year. Following a major sales trip to the U.S. earlier in 2018, the H160 returned to the U.S. in June to conduct hot-and-high trials in the Denver area.