Helicopter Model H160M Coming Together in Development
The development and integration process for the H160M, the military variant of Airbus Helicopters' civilian H160, is underway. To accelerate development, Airbus Helicopters has opted to build three prototypes of the H160M. The first prototype began its flight test campaign on July 24, 2025, marking a significant milestone in the effort to equip the French Armed Forces with a modern helicopter platform.
The flight testing includes system testing and in-flight aerodynamic assessments to validate the helicopter’s design and operational capabilities. This approach ensures the aircraft meets military requirements such as replacing five older helicopter types (Gazelle, Dauphin, Panther, Alouette, and Fennec).
The flight test campaign encompasses thorough evaluation of avionics, flight controls, mission systems, and aerodynamic performance in varied conditions to verify safety, reliability, and effectiveness before full military integration and production. The H160M is intended as a modular, multi-role military platform for all branches of the French Armed Forces, which also drives the need for extensive integration testing of mission-specific equipment and systems during the prototype phase.
An integrated in-flight test team has been set up with personnel from the armed forces and Airbus Helicopters, and they are preparing the next phases of the development and test programme of the H160M. The contract includes the development of several prototypes and the delivery of a first batch of 30 aircraft (21 for the army, 8 for the navy, and one for the air force).
Safran has supplied the Euroflir 410 electro-optical system for the H160M, and Thales has provided the FlytX flight deck feature and the TopOwl helicopter pilot head-up display helmet, inertial navigation system, and communication systems. The main fuselage of the H160M comes from Donauwörth, the blades from Paris le Bourget, the tail boom from Albacete, and the main gear box from Marignane.
In June 2024, a pre-serial H160 was used to test some of the autopilot modes that will also be available on the H160M. Digital simulations cannot replace real-life testing for measuring the aerodynamic impact of equipment on the helicopter’s in-flight performance. Each H160 and H160M is made up of four Major Component Assemblies (MCA).
Mockups of the sensors, communication antennas, electronic warfare systems, and landing gear of the H160M have been mounted on an Airbus H160 prototype for aerodynamic testing. The first H160M prototype began final assembly at Airbus Helicopters' site in Marignane in July. The HForce equipment, Euroflir 410 electro-optical system, FlytX flight deck feature, TopOwl helicopter pilot head-up display helmet, inertial navigation system, communication systems, global navigation satellite system (GNSS), and other systems have been delivered and integrated into the test bench.
The French Ministry for the Armed Forces plans to order a total of 169 H160M helicopters, known as "Guépard" by the French Armed Forces. The French Navy announced the setup of an integrated in-flight test team in June 2024. In December 2021, the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) signed a contract with Airbus Helicopters for the development and procurement of the H160M.
The H160M's phased flight test campaign, starting with three prototypes, comprehensive system and aerodynamic testing in flight, and integration of military mission systems, is a significant step towards meeting the French Armed Forces' needs for a modern, multi-role military helicopter platform.
The flight test campaign involves evaluating avionics, flight controls, mission systems, and aerodynamic performance, with the aim to verify the safety, reliability, and effectiveness of the H160M before full military integration and production.
The development and integration of the H160M, a modular, multi-role military platform for all branches of the French Armed Forces, requires extensive integration testing of mission-specific equipment and systems during the prototype phase, with support from both the armed forces and Airbus Helicopters.
