www.privateairny.com Private Air | Winter 2022/2023
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AVIATION
operating from the Lanveoc-
Poulmic naval air station
(Brittany), Cherbourg airport
(Normandy), and the naval air
station in Hyères (Provence).
e interim fleet of H160s will
ensure critical search and rescue
missions while awaiting the
delivery of the H160M Guépard.
In the frame of the French Joint
Light Helicopter (Hélicoptère
Interarmées Léger: HIL)
program, 169 H160M Guépards
are foreseen to replace five types
of helicopters in service with the
French armed forces. e French
Navy's operational feedback with
these H160s will benefit the
design of the military version
of the aircraft and its associated
support system.
Babcock, in partnership with
Airbus Helicopters and Safran
Helicopters Engines, will
ensure the highest level of
availability for the French Navy
and the continuity of SAR
operations on the Atlantic and
the Mediterranean coasts. Built
by Airbus Helicopters, the
H160 is certified for the use of
night vision goggles, which are
necessary for winching operations
at night.
e H160, as a next generation
medium twin engine aircraft,
powered by Arrano engines, is
modular by design in order to
address missions ranging from
offshore transportation, private
and business aviation, emergency
medical services, and public
services.
