AHI to deliver H160M helo by 2026

COLUMBUS, Miss. – During a briefing at its Columbus, Miss.-based helicopter manufacturing facilities, Airbus Helicopters Inc. (AHI) President Romain Trapp said the company will introduce the H160M for military markets. First delivery is expected by 2026. The commercial H160 is to receive certification by the end of 2019. AHI unveiled the commercial version of twin H160 at Heli Expo 2015. Versions are also available for offshore transportation, public services, and commercial passenger transport markets. AHI plans to reach a production rate of 30 helos annually by 2022, ramping up to 50 once it enters service with the French military as the H160M Guépard (Cheetah). Outside of the H160, AHI is delivering two UH-72A Lakota training helicopters a month from its Mississippi plant to the Army. Currently, AHI has delivered 444 Lakotas since 2006. The Army has used the UH-72A for missions including training at Fort Rucker, Ala., air medical transport, search and rescue, and Army National Guard support of Customs and Border Protection operations. In addition, the Naval Test Pilot School in Patuxent River, Md., operates five Lakotas. Source: Avionics International 09/30/19) https://www.aviationtoday.com/2019/09/29/airbus-helicopters-expects-introduce-first-military-version-h160-2025/