French Navy Takes Delivery of First of Six
H160s in SAR Configuration
(23/09/22)
The French Navy has taken delivery of the first
of six H160s in a search and rescue (SAR) configuration.
The helicopter is part of the interim fleet that will be delivered
by the partnership formed between Airbus Helicopters, Babcock and
Safran Helicopter Engines.
“The delivery of the first H160 to a military
customer is a major milestone for the H160 programme,” said Bruno
Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “This is the first public service
version of the H160 to be delivered worldwide. Furthermore, the
delivery takes place soon after two H160s entered into service
this summer, in Brazil for the private and business aviation
segment and in Japan for news gathering missions”, he added. “With
this H160 we will strengthen our partnership with the French Navy,
delivering the right helicopter for its critical search and rescue
missions. Together with our partners, we will also ensure that the
H160 is ready when needed.”
In 2020 the French Armament General Directorate
(DGA) signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters, Babcock and
Safran for the delivery of four H160s in a SAR configuration, and
then in 2021 the DGA confirmed an option for two more
H160s.
The first H160 for the French Navy was delivered to Babcock
by Airbus Helicopters in May 2022. It has since then been modified
into a light military configuration by Babcock. The modular cabin
was also adapted for SAR operations and a Safran Euroflir 410
electro optical system was integrated.
The H160 will gradually start operating from the
Lanveoc-Poulmic naval air station (Brittany), Cherbourg airport
(Normandy), and the naval air station in Hyères (Provence).
The
interim fleet of H160s will ensure critical search and rescue
missions while awaiting the delivery of the H160M Guépard.
In the
frame of the French Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère
Interarmées Léger: HIL) programme, 169 H160M Guépards are foreseen
to replace five types of helicopters in service with the French
armed forces.
The H160 is a medium twin-engine
aircraft powered by Arrano engines. It has a modular by design in order
to address missions ranging from offshore transportation, private
and business aviation, emergency medical services and public
services.
Subscribe to our
Travel Industry News RSS
Feed. To do
that in Outlook, right-click the RSS Feeds
folder, select Add a New RSS Feed, enter the URL of our
RSS Feed which is: https://www.travelnewsasia.com/travelnews.xml
and click Add. The feed can also be used to add the headlines to your
website or channel via a
customisable applet. Have questions? Please read our
Travel News
FAQ. Thank you.