Airbus Helicopters has recently showcased several ground-breaking research projects and new helicopter innovations for environmentally friendly technologies.
These projects are part of the company´s mid- and long-term research and development strategy to provide innovative solutions to reduce operating and maintenance costs while improving environmental protection, safety, quality and performance.
The H160 is displayed on Airbus Group’s Eco Way as the rotorcraft that will be 15% to 20% more energy efficient thanks to Turbomeca’s new generation Arrano engines. It will also have reduced fuel consumption combined with a use of innovative and lighter materials including composites. The CO2 emissions will be 20% less per passenger compared to the current range. Sound levels will be reduced by up to 50% compared to the current range and 70% below the regulation. This is mainly thanks to sound reduction technologies such as the Blue Edge® rotor blades and Fenestron®.
In support of Clean Sky’s Green Rotorcraft initiative, Airbus Helicopters is testing a new kind of high-compression piston engine, able to function with kerosene thanks to a specific injection hardware. The objective is to bring benefits such as lower fuel consumption, reduction of emissions, and longer range with the same fuel consumption, lower maintenance costs and improved helicopter performance in hot and high conditions. After successful ground tests with the company’s H120 demonstrator in the last few months, Airbus Helicopters is now entering the flight test phase, with the first flight expected in the upcoming weeks. The H120 demonstrator helicopter’s 4.6l high-compression piston engine incorporates numerous technologies already applied to advanced self-ignition engines for auto racing.
