Airbus Starts Flight Tests of Military Version of H160 Helicopter | Aviation International News

Airbus Starts H160M Helicopter Flight Tests

French armed forces are set to receive 169 H160M Guépard rotorcraft, starting in 2028

Airbus H160M Guépard military helicopter — Airbus has achieved a first flight with its H160M Guépard military helicopter. © Airbus Helicopters

By Charles Alcock • Managing Editor

July 25, 2025

Airbus has started flight testing the military version of its H160 helicopter that is due to enter service with the French armed forces in 2028. On Thursday, the company announced that the H160M Guépard prototype made its first flight at its Marignane facility, where the second example is now in final assembly.

As part of France’s Joint Light Helicopter program, the H160M is being developed to replace five helicopter types for the army, navy, and air and space forces. The French Ministry of Armed Forces has committed to buying 169 of the twin-engine rotorcraft, which is a variant of the in-service civil H160.

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H160

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