Airbus H160

In 2011 Eurocopter announced development of the Dauphin replacement with codename X4.

A 4-6ton five-bladed main rotor rotorcraft, is the first civilian all-composite helicopter to enter production. The X4 was announced first with a choice of two powerplants: Turbomeca new 1,100shp Arrano 1A or the Pratt & Whitney Canada PW210. The Arrano was finally selected in February 2015. The H160 includes the avionics suite Helionix.

On March 3rd, 2015 the new name H160 was first unveiled at HAI Heli-Expo in Orlando, Florida.

H160 main structure is manufactured in Donauwoerth, Germany and final assembly line is located in Marignane, France.

First prototype rolled-out on May 29, 2015 at Marignane in the presence of French Prime Minister Manuel Valls. First flight took place by PT1 powered with P&WC engines on June 13, 2015. Aircraft PT2, first with Arrano engines, first flew on January 27, 2016. PT3, first with cabin interior, performed maiden flight on October 13, 2017.

The passenger transport (commercial, oil and gas, etc) variant was scheduled to enter service in 2019 followed by the emergency medical services (EMS) version by 2021. Military variant planned for the French Armed Forces, 400 expected to be delivered under the Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger (HIL) program from 2024.

The H160 was due to enter into service in 2020. Production aircraft H160B deliveries started late 2022.