Announced March 2017, the H160 Military variant planned for the French Armed Forces, 400 expected to be delivered under the Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger (HIL) program with first deliveries scheduled for 2026.
Capable of carrying 2 pilots + 5 troops or 2 stretchers with a max take off weight of 6,050 kgs / 13338 lbs and a range of 850 km / 528 miles
On May 2019 was designated as Guépard ( Cheetah ) and delivery plans announced comprising 80 for Army (to replace Fennec and Gazelle ), 49 for Navy (Dauphin, Panther, Lynx, Alouette III) and 40 for Air Force (Fennec)
H160M News
Launch of H160M Guépard Development, 06-Feb-20 : #H160M Airbus, Safran and the French Armament General Directorate (DGA) working closely under the Joint Light Helicopter program (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger, HIL) to allow the H160M Guépard to enter service in the French armed forces in 2026.
A400M First Contact with H225M and H160, 24-Sep-19 : #A400M Over southern France, Airbus conducted first aerial refueling testings (dry contacts) between the new A400M military airlifter and H225M and H160 helicopters
Thales’ FlytX Cockpit for H160M Guépard, 14-Jun-19 : Paris Air Show 2019 Thales’ FlytX avionics suite selected for the French Armed Forces’ Airbus H160M Joint Light Helicopter. First announced in 2013, it is also likely to be used in the future Tiger Mk3
H160M Guépard to Enter Service in 2026, 27-May-19 : #H160M The H160M for the French Armed Forces, designated as Guépard (Cheetah) is scheduled to enter service in 2026 under the Joint Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger, HIL) program
#A400M Over southern France, Airbus conducted first aerial refueling testings (dry contacts) between the new A400M military airlifter and H225M and H160 helicopters
