The billion-euro gamble to kill the industry's most dominant helicopter

Countries & Cities · Published 12 October 2026 Swipe more like this →

In short: When Airbus engineers set out to develop the H160, they weren't just building a new utility helicopter. They were attempting to engineer a 'game changer'—a high-tech successor designed to outperform the AgustaWestland AW139 through radical aerodynamic innovations and advanced composite manufacturing.

The development of the H160, originally known as the X4, was a massive undertaking costing approximately €1 billion ($1.12 billion). The project aimed to leverage production techniques from advanced fixed-wing aircraft, such as the Airbus A350, using specialized test rigs to separate dynamic and system elements. This approach was intended to streamline the design process and achieve a final assembly lead time half that of its predecessor, the Dauphin. The program officially transitioned to the H160 name in March 2015. This new naming convention follows the standard used for Airbus's commercial jet fleet.

At the heart of the H160's performance are several aerodynamic breakthroughs. It is the first rotorcraft to utilize the 'Blue Edge' main rotor, featuring a double-swept five-blade design. This specific shape reduces blade-tip vortices, resulting in a 3–4 dB noise reduction and increasing the effective payload by 100 kg compared to a scaled AS365 Dauphin design. Additionally, the aircraft uses a canted fenestron tail rotor and a biplane tailplane stabilizer to enhance stability and lift. The aircraft's engines consist of two Safran Arrano 1A turboshafts, each providing 955 kW of power. These units allow the helicopter to reach a service ceiling of 6,096 meters.

However, the path to certification was not without compromise. While the initial vision included highly advanced control systems and full de-icing equipment, many of these features were ultimately eliminated because they were deemed too costly or heavy. Despite these reductions, the H160 remains a technological pioneer, being the first helicopter in the world to replace conventional hydraulic landing gear and brakes with electrical counterparts to reduce weight and increase safety. The aircraft's cockpit features four multifunctional displays for the pilot. This advanced Helionix avionics suite includes automated landing sensors developed alongside Esterline CMC.

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