During the Verticon 2025 trade fair, held in Dallas (USA) from March 11-13 this year, the world’s largest event in the helicopter aviation industry, the European company Airbus Helicopters (a part of the Airbus Group) showcased its flagship helicopters and announced the signing of new agreements.
H140 / Photos: MILMAG Archive
Airbus Helicopters concluded the trade fair with 118 commitments, including 63 firm orders, from customers worldwide for various types of multi-role helicopters.
Among the key highlights were orders for a total of more than 74 units of the latest light twin-engine multi-role helicopter, the H140, from companies involved in medical rescue and emergency aviation in the U.S. and Europe—Global Medical Response, ADAC Luftrettung, ÖAMTC Flugrettung, Air Methods, Stat Medevac, Metro Aviation, and DRF Luftrettung.
“The H140 was designed by customers for customers. Signing with some of the world’s most prominent EMS operators shows that the H140 has hit the mark,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “I would like to thank our customers for placing their trust in Airbus. The essential missions they perform with our helicopters is a tremendous source of pride for everyone in the company. VERTICON has proved to be a key moment in the year to connect with our customers and to celebrate what they do,” he added.
The company showcased a full-scale model in an air ambulance configuration at the Verticon trade fair. The H140 offers a wide range of innovations, including a new T-tail boom with an optimized Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, which reduces noise levels, a five-blade bearingless main rotor, and new, more powerful turboshaft engines. The helicopter also features a larger cabin space with an optimized seating arrangement for six passengers and large windows. Designed with accessibility in mind, it includes large folding doors and a high-mounted tail boom. The rear-loading capability allows the use of various stretcher systems, including intensive care system kits and transport incubators, while its large sliding side doors facilitate cabin access.
The new H140 also features the same five-blade rotor system that was introduced on the H145 in 2019. The bearingless main rotor design simplifies operations, improves maintainability and reliability, and ensures the highest level of comfort for both passengers and crew. H140 operators will benefit from an optimized operational support plan that streamlines maintenance schedules for both the airframe and engines, allowing for longer intervals between inspections and reducing the helicopter’s operating costs.
The H140 will be equipped with Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix digital avionics suite, which is also featured in the H135, H145, H160, and H175 helicopters. In addition to a four-axis autopilot, Helionix offers an innovative cockpit layout that enhances situational awareness, reduces pilot workload, and increases safety during missions. In total, the company has built four H140 prototypes, with the first already undergoing flight testing at its German facility in Donauwörth.
H160 belonging to PHI Aviation
Meanwhile, the H160 light multi-role helicopter has begun commercial offshore operations with operator PHI Aviation for Shell, following the completion of trials for personnel and cargo transport missions to offshore drilling platforms in the Gulf of Mexico region. In July 2024, the helicopter was delivered to the operator’s base in Houma, Louisiana, marking the first Airbus H160 delivered to the U.S.
Additionally, Brazilian operator Omni has signed a multi-service HCare support package contract ahead of launching operations for Petrobras. Meanwhile the New York State Police will become the first law enforcement agency in the U.S. to operate the H160 following the announcement of an order for one H160 helicopter, as well as three H145 helicopters.
The H160 was certified by the European Union Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) on July 1, 2020, while a Level D mission simulator received certification in August of the same year. It was later certified by the U.S. Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) on June 30, 2023, with Chartright Air Group in Canada and the previously mentioned PHI Aviation becoming the first operators. In January of this year, the first two H160 helicopters were delivered to the Japanese National Police Agency (Keisatsu-chō).
The H160 then entered service in Brazil, Japan, Saudi Arabia, France, Malaysia, the Philippines, the United Kingdom, and several other European countries. Airbus Helicopters has received orders for more than 100 helicopters. As of July 2024, the fleet has accumulated over 2,000 flight hours.
On February 12, 2024, deliveries of six H160 search and rescue (SAR) helicopters were completed for the French Navy (Marine Nationale). Work is currently underway on the military version of the helicopter, the H160M Guépard, which is being procured under the HIL (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger) program. In total, Marine Nationale is set to receive 49 helicopters from a total order of 169 units, which will also be distributed to the French Army and Air and Space Force.
The H160 was initially presented as a concept model called X4 in 2011. The prototype was unveiled at Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida, on March 3, 2015, with its first flight taking place in June of the same year. The helicopter was designed as a potential successor to the AS365 Dauphin and H155 models. It is powered by two Turbomeca Arrano turboshaft engines, enabling a maximum speed of 296 km/h and a range of up to 833 km.
H225 Super Puma (Eurocopter EC225LP)
Westair Helicopters has signed an HCare support package contract to facilitate the introduction of its fleet of H225 medium multi-role helicopters into operation for offshore energy industry support missions in Namibia.
GDAT, one of China’s most well-known helicopter operators, has signed an HCare In-Service agreement with Airbus to support its fleet of ten H225 helicopters, which perform various missions, including rescue services and forest protection across the country.
With a maximum takeoff weight of 11,160 kg, the H225 offers an extended range of over 832 km (or 1,107 km with external fuel tanks) and an unmatched external payload capacity of 4,750 kg, crucial for missions such as disaster relief and firefighting. Airbus Helicopters aims for this model to be capable of flying on 100% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) by 2030, a goal that was already demonstrated at the ILA Berlin 2022 trade fair.
Offering industry-leading range, speed, payload capacity, and reliability in the 11-ton twin-engine helicopter category, the H225 is the latest member of the Super Puma family, which has accumulated over 6 million flight hours in all weather conditions worldwide. Equipped with state-of-the-art avionics and a four-axis autopilot, the H225 delivers exceptional endurance and high cruise speed, while also being capable of carrying mission-specific equipment for various operational needs.
Airbus Helicopters also conducted instrument flight rules (IFR) demonstration flights during Verticon with the H175, H160, H145, and H125 IFR helicopters, all powered by a 30% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) blend. This highlights the company’s ongoing commitment to utilizing biofuels whenever possible.
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