The H140 will complement Airbus Helicopters’ existing light twin models, catering to the emergency medical services (EMS), passenger transport, and private aviation sectors. Its entry into service is scheduled for 2028, with the EMS segment being the first to receive deliveries.
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, highlighted the company’s commitment to meeting evolving customer needs through innovation. He emphasised that the H140 was developed in close collaboration with H135 operators to integrate enhanced cabin space and optimised engine performance for superior payload and range.
A full-scale model of the H140 in its EMS configuration was showcased at VERTICON, demonstrating its advanced design and functionality. The helicopter features a T-shaped tail boom with an optimised Fenestron, reducing sound levels for quieter operations, along with a five-blade bearingless main rotor for improved efficiency and ride comfort.
The aircraft’s spacious cabin, large windows, and ergonomic layout can accommodate up to six passengers, enhancing accessibility and visibility. The high tail boom and large clamshell doors facilitate rear loading, allowing for various medical stretcher systems, including intensive care and transport incubators, making it highly suitable for EMS missions.
Powered by two Safran Arrius 2E engines delivering 700 shaft horsepower (shp), the H140 offers the best payload-to-range ratio in its class. The engines are controlled by a dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, ensuring optimal performance in normal and emergency flight scenarios, with significant power reserves in one-engine-inoperative (OEI) situations.
The H140 incorporates Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite, which is already in use on the H135, H145, H160, and H175 models. This system, combined with a four-axis autopilot, enhances situational awareness, reduces pilot workload, and improves overall safety during operations.
One of the key advancements in the H140 is its simplified maintenance requirements, thanks to the bearingless main rotor design. Operators will benefit from a harmonised maintenance plan that extends inspection intervals and synchronises airframe and engine servicing, reducing operating costs.
To ensure a seamless development process, Airbus Helicopters is deploying four dedicated prototypes, with the first aircraft already undergoing flight tests at the company’s Donauwörth facility in Germany. These tests will validate the H140’s performance, efficiency, and reliability before its market entry.
