Airbus H160 Helicopter Specifications: Performance, Cabin, Avionics, and Mission Capability

The Airbus H160 is a clean-sheet, medium-class helicopter designed to deliver lower operating costs, a quieter footprint, and a modern passenger experience across roles that range from offshore transport and corporate flying to emergency medical services (EMS) and search and rescue (SAR).

Taken together, its design integrates advanced rotor aerodynamics, a composite airframe approach, and a contemporary avionics suite aimed at reducing pilot workload. The sections below consolidate key specifications and mission relevant features that define the H160’s design and operational capability.

A New Generation Design Framework

The H160 is part of Airbus’ new generation of medium class rotorcraft, developed with an emphasis on efficiency, passenger comfort, and reduced external noise. Its configuration features a five blade main rotor and a canted Fenestron tail rotor, a combination intended to support lower acoustic signature and refined handling characteristics.

At the propulsion level, propulsion is provided by the Safran Arrano family of turboshaft engines, with the H160 serving as the launch platform for the Arrano 1A. The engine was developed with a focus on efficiency and maintainability, factors that directly influence operating costs, dispatch reliability, and long term fleet performance.

Powerplant and Rotor System Architecture

Building on this design framework, the H160 is powered by two Safran Arrano 1A turboshaft engines. For handling and community noise considerations, the aircraft uses a Fenestron tail rotor, a design choice associated with reduced external noise and improved directional control.

As a result, Fenestron-equipped helicopters are widely used in sensitive environments, such as near urban or coastal communities, where reduced perceived noise can support broader operational access.

Avionics and Flight Deck (Helionix)

The H160 uses Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite, a common flight management and avionics architecture shared across multiple Airbus helicopter models. Helionix integrates automation and standardized cockpit logic to reduce pilot workload and improve situational awareness.

In operational practice, this supports stable flight profiles and consistent procedures during demanding missions such as IFR operations, offshore approaches, and night flying.

Cabin Configuration and Mission Flexibility

Beyond the flight deck, the H160’s cabin design emphasizes passenger comfort and mission flexibility. As a result, the aircraft features a spacious cabin layout intended to support both passenger and crew requirements. In operational terms, this translates to usable cabin volume for seating configurations, medical interiors, rescue equipment, or offshore passenger layouts, depending on the installed mission equipment.

Accordingly, the H160’s airframe is designed for multi-role utilization across a range of missions including offshore transport, business aviation/private transport, and public services roles such as EMS and SAR. This mission flexibility is enabled by the helicopter’s modular cabin architecture, which allows for reconfiguration between roles with minimal downtime through standardized mounting points and equipment interfaces.

• Offshore transport: typically prioritizes payload, range, and reliability in corrosive maritime environments.
• EMS: prioritizes cabin access, medical interior volume, stable hover performance, and avionics that support night/IFR operations.
• SAR/public services: emphasizes sensor integration, endurance, hoist operations, and mission equipment power/space provisions.

Performance Characteristics and Operating Envelope

Beyond cabin and avionics architecture, the H160’s mission capability is determined by its performance envelope. Key performance parameters include cruise speed, range, and certified service ceiling, shaped by the aircraft’s powerplant, rotor system, and structural design.

Performance varies with configuration, mission equipment, fuel load, and operating conditions including temperature and density altitude. These characteristics are reflected in the aircraft’s published specifications below.

Airbus H160 Key Specifications

Specification	Details
Engines	2 × Safran Arrano 1A (1,100 shp each)
Maximum Takeoff Weight (MTOW)	13,338 lb (6,050 kg)
Useful Load	Up to 4,409 lb (up to 2,000 kg)
Seating Capacity	1–2 pilots plus up to 12 passengers
Recommended Cruise Speed	138 kts (255 km/h)
Fast Cruise Speed	155 kts (287 km/h)
Maximum Range (Standard Fuel)	480 NM (890 km)
Maximum Endurance	4 hours 30 minutes
Maximum Flight Altitude	20,000 ft (6,096 m)
Hover Ceiling (IGE)	9,300 ft (2,835 m)
Main Rotor Diameter	43.96 ft (13.4 m)
Internal Cabin Volume	257.8 ft³ (up to 7.3 m³)
Standard Fuel Capacity	369 gallons (1,120 kg)

Final Assessment

The H160 reflects Airbus’ approach to modern medium class helicopter requirements, with a focus on reduced noise, improved efficiency, and mission flexibility. In response to these priorities, its design combines advanced rotor configuration, the Arrano powerplant, composite structures, and integrated avionics to support a wide range of operational roles.

At the system level, the aircraft integrates established helicopter systems with modern digital flight controls and composite construction. As a result, features such as Helionix avionics and a Fenestron tail rotor support standardized operations and reduced noise in urban and coastal environments.

The Airbus H160 integrates modern composite structures, digital flight controls, and optimized rotor aerodynamics into the medium class segment.

The resulting design emphasizes reduced acoustic footprint, improved operational efficiency, and cockpit automation suited to complex missions.