Safran engines on H160M and H160 for French forces

Safran is taking a significant role on the H160M Guépard (“Leopard”) helicopter, developed by Airbus for the French armed forces’ Joint Light Helicopter programme (HIL), which will replace five different helicopter types currently in service with French forces: Gazelle, Alouette III, Dauphin, Panther and Fennec. Airbus recently received the official confirmation of a first batch of 30 helicopters out of a total of 169 from the French defence procurement agency DGA (Direction générale de l’armement), contracting authority for the HIL programme. The contract also includes an order for ten H160 helicopters for the French Gendarmerie, a decision made within the scope of the French aerospace industry support plan.

Safran’s main contribution to these twin-engine helicopters is the Arrano, a new-generation turboshaft engine rated at 1,300 shaft horsepower (SHP) that incorporates the latest aero-engine technologies. The Arrano will offer 20% lower fuel consumption than the helicopter engines it replaces in the French armed forces, and can also use a blend of up to 50% sustainable aviation fuel (SAF). It was certified by the European Aviation Safety Agency (EASA) in June 2019.

Another major contribution from Safran is the Euroflir 410 optronic (electrooptical) pod, which will be fitted on most of these 169 Guépard helicopters and the Gendarmerie’s ten H160s to offer unrivaled observation performance. In addition, Safran will supply various safety systems (floatability, life rafts), as well as fuel and cooling management systems.