By Staff Correspondent
Airbus, the multinational aerospace corporation, has secured an order for two advanced ACH160 Exclusive business helicopters to be delivered to an Indian customer in India, further supporting the Government of India’s ‘Aatmanirbhar Bharat’ initiative.
The ACH160 is the latest member of the ACH family and boasts 68 new Airbus patented technologies. It offers 20% greater volume per passenger than previous generation medium twin helicopters, and 35% larger windows than its competitors.
According to a release, the helicopters will be delivered with the ACH160 exclusive configuration for business use by the customer, who is an experienced helicopter operator. Airbus Corporate Helicopters will provide a turnkey solution to ensure a smooth entry into service of both the helicopters.
In the ACH160 exclusive version, advanced air conditioning technology allows precise temperature control and optimal cabin air quality with highly efficient air exchange. Mood lighting also contributes to reduced fatigue.
“We are proud to announce this milestone contract for two ACH160 helicopters for our Indian customer. We thank them for their pioneering vision and I am confident that the entry into service of this helicopter will set a new benchmark for helicopter operations in India, especially for private aviation and premium charters. This new order – the first in India for any helicopter in the H160 range – further reinforces our commitment to the Indian market where already more than 120 Airbus helicopters are flying,” said Olivier Michalon, EVP – Global Business, Airbus Helicopters.
The Airbus Helicopters H160 (formerly X4) is a medium utility helicopter developed by Airbus Helicopters. It is intended to replace the AS365 and EC155 models in the firm’s lineup. The maximum speed of the aircraft is 325 km/h (202 mph, 175 kn), while the cruise speed is 287 km/h (178 mph, 155 kn). It has a range of 850 km (530 mi, 460 nmi) and a rate of climb of 8.9 m/s (1,750 ft/min).
This latest deal comes as Indian Prime Minister Narendra Modi unveiled Asia’s largest helicopter factory in Karnataka, bolstering India’s helicopter industry.
