First flight of the French Navy's H160
The first Airbus Helicopters H160 for the Marine Nationale (French Navy) has begun flight testing at the Marseille-Marignane site.
This H160, serial 008 and test registration F-WWOA, is the first of four helicopters supplied under a contract awarded to Airbus Helicopters, Babcock and Safran Helicopter Engines on 31 January 2020.
An option for two more H160s was signed by the Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA, French Defence Procurement Agency) in May 2021. The H160s are not part of the French Ministry of the Armed Forces mega order for 169 H160Ms in the Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger programme (HIL, Joint Light Helicopter).
The French Navy will begin to operate the six helicopters in 2022 for a period of ten years from Lanveoc-Poulmic naval air station (Britany), Cherbourg airport (Normandy) and Hyères naval air station (Provence). The six H160s will be delivered in Search and Rescue (SAR) configuration. They will be equipped with the Safran Euroflir 410 optronic (electro-optical) system.
Pending deliveries of the H160M Guépard (Cheetah) as part of the HIL programme, the H160s will take over the SAR missions currently carried out by the NH90 and Panther, allowing these combat helicopters to fulfil their main missions at sea aboard combat ships. Feedback from the French Navy with these H160s will benefit the design of the military version of the aircraft and its associated support system.
Photos by Airbus Helicopters