Airbus Helicopters H160 (formerly X4)

[TomcatViP]

First operational sortie for intermediate configuration H-160 (emporarily leased prototype to take over the role of civilian SAR NH90) :

https://www.defense.gouv.fr/marine/actualites/premiere-operation-h160-du-detachement-32fcherbourg

 

[RavenOne]

Source:

Aviation International News

Business, Air Transport, Defense & General Aviation News

www.ainonline.com

Artist's impression of Eurocopter X4 provided by Eurocopter published in Safran newsletter.

Source:

http://www.aviationtoday.com/rw/products/airframes/X4-Dauphin-Replacement-Planned-in-Two-Steps_73733.html

I am wondering laughingly if the original artists impression of what X4 be , may end up as X9 (replacement for H145) discussed on here

https://www.secretprojects.co.uk/threads/airbus-x9.41687/

Airbus to replace H145 with a mysterious new chopper called the X9

Airbus is looking to replace its H145 helicopter with what has been codenamed the X9. But little is known about this mysterious new chopper.

interestingengineering.com

Going back to the lost Japanese Ground Self Defense Force UH-X competition, am sure a H160M would look great in their camouflage however speaking to one of my contacts at ILa Berlin 2018, he said the Airbus proposal to JGSDF was actually mystery designated X8....

cheers

 

[RavenOne]

First French Customs / Douanes - H160 and also modified done up by Sabena Technics is undergoing Flgiht tests.

It will end up in French West Indies

Pics courtesy of Airbus Helicopters





Cheers

 

[TomcatViP]

View: https://youtu.be/igEZKDFUtz0?si=eA7eIajM1b7xnDHu

 

[RavenOne]

Saw and sat in the H160M mock up at Eurosatory the other week in Paris here are my pics













so thankyou Thales for brief...

cheers

 

[RavenOne]

Yay officially, PHi H160 is finally entering service

Airbus H160 enters into service in the U.S. with PHI Aviation

Airbus has delivered the first H160 in the U.S. to PHI, marking the beginning of H160 operations in the country.

www.airbus.com

cheers

 

[RavenOne]

opps nearly forgot there have been recent delivery of ACH160 corporate to the North American marketplace, believe one was seen over NYC same as the one I saw back in Feb at Heli Expo 2024 in Anaheim so here are my photos





and my pics of it departing








and then Canada recives its first ACH160

Airbus delivers first ACH160 in Canada

Airbus delivers first ACH160 in Canada

ach.airbus.com

cheers

 

[RavenOne]

Memorial Hermann Lifeflight is to become the world's first Airbus Helicopters H160 EMS operator. https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/...-flight-first-in-the-world-to-use-airbus-h160



cheers

 

[TomcatViP]

First Airbus H160M prototype begins final assembly

Final assembly is under way ofthe first of three Airbus Helicopters H160M prototypes that will be used to develop the military version of the platform under the Light...

www.janes.com

 

[TomcatViP]

Some more pics on Airbus website:

The pods and shape affixed to the landing gear are aero shapes added to the civilian H160 prototype for aerodynamic test and validation purpose.

The H160M takes shape

In July, final assembly of the first H160M prototype began at Airbus Helicopters’ site in Marignane. In the meantime, system integration is moving forward with bench testing and in-flight aerodynamic testing.

www.airbus.com

Given that the design was already compromised in its efficiency by the design aspects (one major parameter was that it had to look good to buyer, I fear that the extra drag and inherent mass from the militarization process could leave its engines out of breath quickly...

 

[yasotay]

Well they could do what the 160th SOAR (the ultimate developers of rotorcraft parasite drag) did. Shoe horn bigger engines into the engine bay and push the main module to its never exceed limit.

 

[Grey Havoc]

Shoe horn bigger engines into the engine bay and push the main module to its never exceed limit.

One presumes that they were channeling a certain Scottish engineer from classic Sci-Fi there....

 

[Scott Kenny]

A 20mm canon with a rocket pod... Just like in the Gazelle... And the Alouette... The pilot will surely apreciate also the availability of the not so-sure 7.62 with the utmost feeling of marchinng toward ennemy lines with brave allure like the WWI dismounted cavalry.

Does he have to bring his own saber?

I'll bet you a bottle of your choice that every French helo pilot owns a saber and has figured out a place to carry it in the aircraft.

View: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=lKOIAM9BcWQ


Cool video

I was hoping that the helo would go under the bridges/signage... See how low you can get before leaving some aluminum behind on the track...

And that nose... What the heck are that extra useless 2m of designer wet dream?

Electronics, weather radar, the usual stuff found in the schnoz of a Dauphin.

Aren't those screw and washers surfacing (and exposed) from the fenestron hub cache scary enough for someone to do something soon enough?!

A close-up of one the picture above:
View attachment 674224

Depends on whether that is a rotating or fixed panel. Plus, I'm willing to bet that those are captive fasteners.

One presumes that they were channeling a certain Scottish engineer from classic Sci-Fi there....

Or their neighboring NASCAR race mechanics...

 

[TomS]

Electronics, weather radar, the usual stuff found in the schnoz of a Dauphin.

This thing is going to get nicknamed Cyrano, I suspect.

 

[TomcatViP]

@Scott Kenny : since you like to bet, those washer and oversized screw are the sign of a defective part that was forced fit into place (see also the bulging around the mouthing holes). Those fasteners are certainly not the original ones. That was the object of my comment. You could have searched pictures of the H160 today and see how the design of this part has been altered.

I guess I somewhat won the bet?

 

[TomcatViP]

This thing is going to get nicknamed Cyrano, I suspect.

Or Pinocchio if it doesn´t meet its design perfs.

 

[H_K]

The H160’s technical specs and performance are available here, from p. 44: https://www.scribd.com/document/648597190/TD-H160-2023

@TomcatViP what performance shortfall are you referring to? With a page reference and comparison to another helicopter type please.