Press Release

Issued by Airbus Helicopters.

December 12, 2017

The third Airbus Helicopters H160 prototype has received a fresh coat of paint and now features a striking “carbon” livery designed as a nod to the Airbus A350 XWB MSN2 flight-test aircraft. Both aircraft are produced using advanced composite materials supplied by Airbus' long term partner, Hexcel.

This gesture follows Hexcel's announcement in June that its reinforcements, prepregs, adhesives and honeycomb materials had been selected for the H160's composite fuselage structures and main rotor blades. The H160 was designed by Airbus Helicopters to create added-value for customers in terms of performance, economic competitiveness, safety and comfort. The use of Hexcel's composite materials throughout the structure contributes to the lightweight fuel-saving design and performance optimization.

Airbus Helicopters decided to promote the H160 program and its high carbon fiber content in a way that recalls the livery previously used for the A350 XWB. The A350 XWB has a structure that is 53% composites and Hexcel supplies the carbon fiber prepreg for all of the aircraft's composite primary structures.

The newly unveiled H160 prototype is a fitting tribute to the 40-year partnership between Hexcel and Airbus Helicopters.

The H160 is the first civil helicopter equipped with a full composite fuselage, the advantages of which include a lighter fuel-saving airframe, performance optimization and simplified maintenance.