Airbus Helicopters revealed at Verticon last week that it was developing a new light twin-engined helicopter, to be badged the H140.
The H140 is a 3-tonne class helicopter that complements Airbus' current offering for the HEMS, passenger transport, and private and business aviation markets.
Powered by two FADEC-controlled Safran Arrius 2E 700-shp turbines, the H140 will also feature a T-shaped tail boom with an optimised Fenestron, a five-blade bearingless main rotor, and large clamshell rear doors.
"Introducing a new helicopter to the light twin engine segment is a testimony to our commitment to meeting our customers’ evolving mission requirements, leveraging our R&T programmes such as Bluecopter,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.
“We worked hand in hand with our H135 customers to bring their additional requirements together in the H140’s efficient design. It enables customers to benefit from a bigger mission-enhancing cabin space that was sized to an optimised engine performance for the best-in-class payload and range.
"We are proud to be able to offer our customers the most competitive choices."
The H140 will feature Airbus Helicopters’ Helionix, avionics that also equips the H135, H145, H160 and H175. Helionix, in addition to the 4-axis autopilot, offers a cockpit layout to enhance situational awareness, reducing the pilot workload and increasing the safety during the mission.
Airbus will develop the H140 using four prototypes, the first of which is already flying from the company's plant at Donauworth in Germany.
Airbus expects to deliver the first H140s to customers in 2028.