Airbus H160 makes Australian debut with demo tour

Kickstarting a month-long demonstration tour across Australia Airbus H160 has landed in Melbourne. The next-generation helicopter will visit key cities and coastal communities to showcase how it supports a wide range of missions, from saving lives to homeland security, natural disaster management, and transporting offshore crew, while setting new standards in safety, performance and sustainability.

Olivier Michalon, Executive Vice President, Global Business, Airbus Helicopters commented: “The H160 represents the future of flight, combining advanced technology, mission versatility and reduced environmental impact in one sleek platform. The H160 is the most cost efficient in its class. We’re thrilled to bring the helicopter to Australia and demonstrate how it can elevate operations across this region.”

H160 is one of the world’s most technologically advanced helicopters, designed and built to deliver the highest levels of operational safety while providing unmatched comfort for rotorcraft in its class. Equipped with the Helionix avionics suite, the H160 offers intuitive flight controls, enhanced situational awareness and reduced pilot workload.

Beyond cabin ergonomics, the H160’s design reduces environmental and community impact while boosting mission performance. Its innovative Blue Edge main rotor blades and canted Fenestron tail rotor cut perceived sound by up to 50% compared to conventional designs. 

Optimised with Safran Arrano engines, the H160 delivers 18% reduction in fuel burn. It is also certified to fly with a 50% blend of sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). With a reduced maintenance footprint and streamlined support architecture, the aircraft delivers exceptional availability and cost-efficiency for operators across sectors. 

Designed to meet the demands of diverse and high-stakes missions, the H160 excels in environments where reliability and adaptability are paramount Its expansive cabin, unobstructed visibility, and swift reconfiguration capabilities position it as a standout choice for multi-role operations. H160 has entered into service in Brazil, Canada, China, France, India, Japan, Korea, Malaysia, Philippines, Saudi Arabia, U.K., U.S. and many other European countries.

Airbus Helicopters maintains a robust footprint in Australia, supporting over 360 helicopters in operation across the country. Most recently, the company expanded its locally embedded support network with the opening of a new parts distribution centre near Perth Airport, enabling faster, more responsive service to operators across the region.