Airbus Helicopters has launched the flight test campaign for the H160M Guépard, the military version of its H160 helicopter, developed under France’s Joint Light Helicopter programme. The H160M will serve all three branches of the French Armed Forces, replacing five existing helicopter types, with 169 units planned for procurement.
Based on the civil H160, the H160M features advanced avionics (Thales’ FlytX), cutting-edge sensors (including Safran’s Euroflir 410 and Thales’ AirMaster C radar), and integrated drone cooperation capabilities. It supports a range of armaments and is designed for high adaptability, situational awareness, and mission performance in challenging conditions.
Three prototypes are in development, with the first scheduled to conduct flight performance and firing tests through 2026. Deliveries to the French Armed Forces are scheduled to begin in late 2028, with Airbus providing ten years of operational support.