Airbus Helicopters and the French Direction Générale de l'Armement (DGA) are carrying out a new series of studies to promote the militarization of the H160 and define its support system under the Joint Light Helicopter program (Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger: HIL ). This contract starts the pre-development activities for the military version of the H160, also called Guépard by the French armed forces, in order to comply with the delivery schedule which was announced in May 2019 by the French Minister of the Armed Forces, Florence Parly.
The new series of studies will also focus on defining the optimal set-up to support the H160M fleet operated by the three main French armed forces. Airbus Helicopters, Safran Helicopter Engines and DGA will work closely together to maximize the helicopter availability rate and optimize fleet maintenance costs.
“The start of this collaboration between industry and the Ministry of Armed Forces in order to define the support framework for Guépard and associated processes, already in the pre-development phase, is essential. The output will provide us with all the levers necessary to ensure a high level of availability for the entry into service of the H160M in the French armed forces. The studies are based on the work and commitments recently made in the global support contracts for the Cougar, Caracal and Tiger fleets of the French armed forces "said Alexandra Cros, Airbus Helicopters Vice President and Head of Government Affairs in France
The H160 was designed to be a modular helicopter, allowing its military version, with a single configuration, to carry out missions ranging from command infiltration to air interception, fire support and anti-ship combat, and thus meeting the needs of the army, navy and air force through the HIL program. Bringing the launch of the HIL program to 2021 will allow for the first deliveries to the French armed forces in 2026.
