The French defense agency (DGA) recently received its fourth H160 helicopter at Babcock’s Le Cannet des Maures site following the completion of a series of checks by Airbus Helicopters. The aircraft will now be transferred from the Navy to Lanvéoc. A total of six aircraft have been ordered from Airbus Helicopters, Babcock and Safran Helicopter Engine.
The H160 helicopters specially configured for sea rescue are gradually being put into operation at Cherbourg airport and the French Navy’s Lanvéoc-Poulmic and Hyères naval air bases. The first of these helicopters has been available for search and rescue missions from Maupertus airport near Cherbourg since the end of July. Manufactured by Airbus Helicopters and militarized by Babcock, the H160s are equipped with winches, the new-generation Euroflir 410 optronic system from Safran Electronics & Défense and modular cabins ideally configured for maritime operations (AEM). The helicopters are also certified to fly with night vision goggles, which are particularly necessary for winch operations at night.
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