Airbus Helicopters officially unveils first prototype of the H160 utility helicopter 3005152

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World Aviation Defense & Security Industry News - Airbus Helicopters
 
 
Airbus Helicopters officially unveils first prototype of the H160 utility helicopter
 
Three months after having unveiled a mockup of the H160 at Heli-Expo 2015, Airbus Helicopters has disclosed the first prototype of the aircraft. Airbus Helicopters unveiled the H160 prototype in the presence of French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. This innovative helicopter also performed its first ground run on May 28, 2015, announced Airbus Helicopters. The company previously reported that the prototype, the first of three, powered on in November 2014.
     
Three months after having unveiled a mockup of the H160 at Heli-Expo 2015, Airbus Helicopters has disclosed the first prototype of the aircraft. Airbus Helicopters unveiled the H160 prototype in the presence of French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. This innovative helicopter also performed its first ground run on May 28, 2015, announced Airbus Helicopters. The company previously reported that the prototype, the first of three, powered on in November 2014.
Airbus Helicopters H160 medium utility helicopter during its first ground run on May 28, 2015
(Airbus Helicopters)
     
The Airbus Helicopters H160 was first revealed to the public in 2011, at which point it was referred to by company representatives by the designation X4 - a designation which implied it to be a follow-on from the Eurocopter X3, a high-speed hybrid helicopter technology demonstrator.

The H160 is the first aircraft to feature the innovation the Blue Edge five-bladed main rotor. This rotor incorporates a double-swept shape that serves to reduce the noise generation of blade-vortex interactions (BVI), a phenomenon which occurs when the blade impacts a vortex created at its tip; this results in a 3-4 dB noise reduction and raises the aircraft's effective payload by 100 kg (220 lb).

Aerodynamic innovations include a biplane tailplane stabiliser for greater low speed stability, and a quieter canted fenestron (a feature which originated on the cancelled Boeing–Sikorsky RAH-66 Comanche scout helicopter) which combined produce an extra 80 kg of lift. The H160 shall be powered by two Turbomeca Arrano turboshaft engines; a second engine, the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210E, was originally intended to be offered as an alternative option, but this was eliminated due to insuffient power output and to reduce design complexity.