Airbus Helicopters reveals X4 medium-sized aircraft, new era of rotorcraft excellence at Heli-Expo 2015
ORLANDO, Fla., 3 March 2015. Airbus Helicopters officials delivered on their promise of one year ago, providing Heli-Expo 2015 attendees a glimpse of the company’s all-new X4 rotorcraft, branded as the H160.
The X4, the first next-generation rotorcraft rolled out under the Airbus Helicopters identity, embodies the “company’s values of excellence, agility, unity and integrity,” according to company officials.
The twin-engine X4 helicopter, an all-new medium-sized aircraft capable of a full range of civil and parapublic missions, takes advantage of Airbus Helicopters’ expertise in aerodynamics, rotor blade design, and avionics, officials add.
“This year’s Heli-Expo will demonstrate Airbus Helicopters’ unwavering commitment to our priorities of customer satisfaction, quality, safety and competiveness,” predicted Airbus Helicopters President Guillaume Faury in advance of the annual industry event. “It reflects our transformation to achieve these goals, and will highlight our development of next-generation aircraft and services that offer our customers the best solution for their needs.
“The X4’s public debut is one of the most anticipated events at Heli-Expo 2015, and we look forward to the excitement of sharing our vision for the future,” Faury concluded.
Airbus Helicopters officials are presenting the evolved Airbus Helicopters product line at the event, including the EC175 oil & gas configuration. Since its entry into service late December for North Sea operations for the oil and gas sector, the EC175 has been performing above expectations for a new aircraft with almost 90 percent availability, having transported 1500 passengers and accumulated more than 250 flight hours, according to a company spokesperson. The seven-ton-class rotorcraft has been certified to the latest airworthiness standards, and incorporates the Airbus Helicopters-designed Helionix avionics suite.
An EC130 T2 in tourism configuration is also on hand at Heli-Expo, underscoring this light single-engine rotorcraft’s popularity with tourism and aerial sightseeing companies. Its Fenestron tail rotor contributes to the helicopter’s very quiet operation, while the roomy modular cabin can accommodate up to seven passengers and the pilot.
The EC145 T2 exhibited at Heli-Expo will be operated in emergency medical services configuration by the U.S. launch customer. Enhancements of the “hot-and-high” evolution of the multi-purpose, twin-engine EC145 include new dual-Fadec Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines and a Fenestron shrouded tail rotor, along with upgraded main and new tail rotor gear boxes, as well as the Helionix digital avionics suite featuring a 4-axis autopilot. The EC145 T2 is both EASA and FAA certified and saw its first delivery in July 2014. Some 140 aircraft have been ordered, including the military version EC645 T2.
Click here to read about the Airbus Helicopters H160, formerly known as the X4 aircraft
Airbus Helicopters is a division of Airbus Group.
Courtney E. Howard | Chief Editor, Intelligent Aerospace
Courtney enjoys writing about all things high-tech in PennWell’s burgeoning Aerospace and Defense Group, which encompasses Intelligent Aerospace and Military & Aerospace Electronics. She’s also a self-proclaimed social-media maven, mil-aero nerd, and avid avionics and space geek. Connect with Courtney at [email protected], @coho on Twitter, on LinkedIn, and on Google+.
