DRF Luftrettung and Airbus Helicopters have signed a letter of intent for the purchase of ten H140 helicopters. The German HEMS operator has agreed to be one of the launch customers for the new H140 helicopter, which was unveiled at the Verticon vertical lift industry show in Dallas, Texas.

“Our mission at DRF Luftrettung is to continuously improve medical care for people in need. It is essential for us, and our patients, to operate the most modern helicopters available on the market. With the H140, we are continuing to modernise our helicopter fleet and therefore give our teams the tools they need to perform life-saving missions,” says Krystian Pracz, CEO of DRF Luftrettung.

“DRF Luftrettung has been in partnership with Airbus Helicopters for five decades, during which time it has proven its commitment to delivering the highest possible level of care in HEMS operations,” adds Dirk Petry, head of H135 and H140 programmes at Airbus Helicopters. “This makes its decision to sign today the LoI for the H140 a true seal of approval on the product. This new agreement is a strong signal to continue our mutual, decades-long cooperation. We are proud to support the DRF Luftrettung with our helicopters and services as it performs critical missions to save lives 365 days a year.”

DRF Luftrettung is one of the biggest HEMS operators in Europe. The DRF Group operates more than 50 Airbus Helicopters at 37 bases throughout Germany, Austria, Switzerland and Liechtenstein for emergency rescue and intensive care transport, including rescue winch operations and day and night operations. In 2024, the group carried out a total of 37,874 missions.

The H140 raises the bar in the light twin-engined category for performance, cost-effectiveness, and passenger and crew comfort. It is a three-tonne class rotorcraft that complements Airbus Helicopters’ current light twin offering for the emergency medical services, passenger transport, and private and business aviation markets. The helicopter’s entry into service is planned in 2028 for the emergency medical services segment.

The H140 features a wide range of innovations, including a new T-shaped tail boom with an optimised Fenestron that reduces sound levels, a five-blade bearingless main rotor and new powerful Safran engines. The helicopter also features a larger cabin space, large windows and optimised cabin layout that can accommodate up to six passengers comfortably. Designed with accessibility in mind, thanks to the large clamshell doors and the high tail boom, the H140’s rear loading capabilities allow the use of different types of stretcher systems, including intensive care ones and transport incubators, while its large sliding doors facilitate access to the cabin.