Airbus Helicopters H160 (X4)

History of Airbus Helicopters H160 (X4)

The Airbus Helicopters H160 (previously known as "X4"), a medium utility helicopter under development, seeks to take most of the market share long held by rivals AgustaWestland, Bell and Sikorsky. Following the design route of previous products such as the AS365 "Dove" series, the H160 was launched in March 2015 with a very futuristic appearance.

If all goes well, Airbus Helicopters is eyeing delivery dates for its latest product for 2018.

Internally, the H160 features a two-person crew in a traditional side-by-side arrangement with multiple panes in the cockpit walls, floor and ceiling for excellent cockpit visibility. The instrument panel is dominated by four 6 x 8-inch multifunction displays (MFDs) that provide relevant operating information. Avionics are managed through the Helionix suite. The cabin seats up to 12 people, and is located behind the cockpit as usual, while it sits beneath the twin-engine unit on the roof. The engines chosen were two Turbomeda TM800 "Arrano" turboshaft systems rated at 1,100 SHP (Pratt & Whitney Canada PW120E was also considered at one point), driving a five-blade main rotor and a fenestron ducted tail rotor.

The main rotor blades are a next-generation composite system (referred to as "Composite Blue Edge"), which is designed with a beveled tip that improves vortex results, increases maximum takeoff weight (MTOW), improves fuel economy and reduces operating noise. All main rotor blades are connected along a Spheriflex rotor head.

A peculiarity of the tail rotor of the H160, in addition to the obvious use of the fenestron shroud, its position is slightly inclined (12 degrees to starboard), used as an auxiliary lift device for the helicopter when towing in dual mode as an anti-torque system. Another notable design feature is the installation of a biplane wing assembly along the tailstock before the fenestron assembly - this is said to improve low-speed flight stability.

Airbus Helicopters is currently (2015) arranging the various test components that will make up the proposed H160 to demonstrate the reliability of the individual systems prior to full prototype flight testing. It remains to be seen how many of these proposed systems will become finished products. Other existing Airbus Helicopter products will serve as flight test beds, followed by three fully airworthy prototypes (starting with "PT1").

The pre-production helicopter is called "PS1".

In the lucrative civilian market, the H160 is likely to threaten competitors in the medical, corporate, search and rescue (SAR) and oil and gas industries. A form of militarization - the H160M - is spreading, which includes service modifications and some weapons support.

H160M "Guepard" - The militarized version of the X4 is gaining momentum at Airbus Helicopters. This type is planned as a lightweight system for multi-mission use in all major branches of the French army. The project is called Helicoptere Interarmees Leger (HIL), which means Joint Light Helicopter.

The navalized model features over-the-horizon (OTH) aiming and targeting, side-mounted machine guns, anti-ship missile capability, and a protected/integrated data link with the VSR700 rotor drone and launch vessel.

The Army variant will also have a protected/integrated data link capability for real-time communications with ground forces, launch laser-guided missiles from side-mounted pods, and provide a 'chin' position and support for side-mounted automatic cannons and machine guns . Abseiling is possible from the side hull door.

Air Force models will feature a chin-down EO unit with side-mounted machine guns and cannons to support basic suppression, and include an aerial refueling facility.

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