Airbus Helicopters announced the launch of its first all-new helicopter in about a decade on Tuesday in Paris. The light, twin-engined H140 helicopter in the 3 metric ton class is initially aimed at emergency services and is set to enter service in 2028. Airbus stated that the new model, with a larger cabin than the H135, will be powered by Safran's Arrius 2E engine and will feature five blades.
The H140 launch follows an internal study aimed at developing a successor to the H135. Airbus reassured potential buyers that the existing model will still be offered, with CEO Bruno Even emphasizing the company's commitment to providing choices during a livestreamed event in Dallas.
In addition to the H140, Airbus has been working on developing successors for the H135 and eventually the H145, which are crucial for the German segment of Airbus Helicopters. The company was formed in 1992 from a merger between divisions of France's Aerospatiale and Germany's MBB, aiming to compete with U.S. helicopter manufacturers like Bell, Boeing, and Sikorsky.
While Airbus is focused on new product development, analysts emphasize the importance of maintaining demand for their current light twin-engined portfolio. The H140 will be managed and assembled in Germany, incorporating a production approach utilized by Airbus's jetliners division with specialized manufacturing sites across Europe.
As the smallest but most profitable division within the European aerospace giant, Airbus Helicopters saw its profit increase by over 11% last year, outperforming other parts of the group as the civil jet business addresses production challenges and the defense and space division manages cost overruns.