France’s Armament Directorate (DGA) has just taken delivery of a brand new Airbus H160 helicopter — a leap forward in modernity — which will be used by EPNER (the French test flight school) to train future pilots, engineers, and crew members. This helicopter joins France’s effort to modernize its test and evaluation capabilities, replacing the older Dauphin SA 365 N helicopters that have been in service since the 1980s.
Patrice Gaillon, deputy director at EPNER, emphasized how important the H160 is for bringing the DGA fleet up to date. He pointed out that instructors and support teams will need to integrate the new machine into existing programmes swiftly, readying for the arrival of its military variant, the H160M “Guépard”.
What the H160 brings to the table:
- Advanced avionics: It uses Airbus’s Helionix suite, which reduces pilot workload and enhances situational awareness.
- Upgraded aerodynamics: The helicopter incorporates the “Blue Edge” main rotor blades and a canted Fenestron tail rotor for quieter flights, better lift, and more efficient performance.
- Mission systems and flexibility: With multiple possible configurations (test and measurement workstations, cabins for medical or search & rescue missions, etc.), it’s built to handle complex challenges in aerospace testing. The test version includes a system to modify flight-control laws in flight, data recording bays, and workstations for crew.
Some performance specs to know:
- Top cruising speed around 255 km/h (≈ 138 knots).
- Maximum range with standard fuel: about 890 km.
- Flight endurance roughly 4½ hours.
- Maximum takeoff weight: about 6,050 kg.
The new H160 will not just enhance training: it supports the upcoming H160M Guépard, the military version being developed under France’s Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger, HIL) programme. The Guépard is intended to unify several existing helicopter models, reducing complexity, enhancing interoperability among the Army, Navy, and Air & Space Force, and cutting long-term support costs.
Replacing the Dauphin SA 365 N marks a generational shift: moving from older legacy platforms to something substantially more capable in terms of safety, environmental performance (noise, fuel efficiency), adaptability, and mission modularity. The H160 is already certified under EASA (in 2020) and also recently by the FAA, which opens up its use internationally.
In short: this is more than just a new helicopter. It’s a platform for training, testing, mission readiness, and a stepping stone toward a more unified, modern rotor-wing fleet for France.
