Airbus Helicopters presented its all-new H160 at Heli-Expo, which it says will raise standards for performance, cost effectiveness, passenger comfort and environmental impact. It is the first product introduced with the Airbus Helicopters corporate identity and revised numbering designation.

Its payload lift, range and efficiency make it suited to oil and gas operations, public services, air medical and coast guard duties, commercial transport and charter. It has a cruise speed of 160 kts, can carry 12 passengers at distances of up to 120 nm for oil and gas missions, and has a 450 nm range with 20-minute reserve in public service or search and rescue tasks.

The design of the helicopter includes the manufacturer's largest ever Fenestron tail rotor, and a biplane stabiliser that are claimed to reduce aerodynamic penalties in low speed flight and hover.

An additional technology installation is Airbus Helicopters' initial production use of its Blue Edge main rotor blades, which reduce exterior noise levels by 50 per cent and allow a payload increase of up to 100 kg when compared to traditional rotor blades, depending on flight conditions. The H160 is the first fully composite civil helicopter, meaning it weighs less. Helionix avionics are also installed.

Development of the H160 began in 2013 as the X4, with the definition of the final aircraft configuration confirmed this year. The helicopter's first flight will also take place in 2015 and service entry is planned for 2018.

As the first helicopter to be released under the new Airbus Helicopters identity, the H160 introduces the company's updated product line names. Consistent with the strategies of Airbus, the AS and EC letters for in-production helicopters are replaced by H.