Airbus Helicopters H160 visits Bordes

Airbus test pilots and engineers Olivier Gensse, Nicolas Certain Bernard and Laurent Maruejols, together with H160 Program Director Bernard Fujarski, were welcomed by Arrano Program Director Cyrille Ressejac-Duparc, and his team. He commented, “seeing an Arrano-powered H160 land right in front of our factory is a powerful symbol that rewards all our teamwork and effort. There was lot of emotion that day”.

The Safran teams learned that the H160 is dedicated to several types of missions. One of the H160’s main features is its two Arrano engines. This 1,200 shp turbine will certified by the end of the year and integrates state of the art aero-engine technologies: a new-generation compressor linked to the European Clean Sky research program, a gyratory combustion chamber (Safran Innovation Awards 2016, Grand Prix) and additive manufactured (3D-printed) components (combustion chamber fuel injector nozzle).

 

High performing and easy to maintain, the Arrano offers between 10 and 15 % lower fuel consumption than current engines in the same power range. This will strongly contribute to H160 high availability.

After visiting the production areas, the H160 team briefed over 300 employees on its flight test program. And it was in front of another large audience, clapping and cheering, that the H160 finally left Bordes to return to Marignane.

The H160 also features wheels and brakes supplied by Safran Landing Systems and wiring from Safran Electrical & Power.