France’s new H160M Guépard helicopter makes first close-range flight near Navy tanker.

The French Navy conducted the first close naval interaction between the H160M Guépard prototype and the fleet replenishment tanker BRF Jacques Stosskopf on January 16, 2026.

On January 16, 2026, the French Navy conducted the first close naval interaction between the H160M Guépard prototype and the fleet replenishment tanker BRF Jacques Stosskopf during the vessel’s departure from Toulon. The proximity flight focused on evaluating the helicopter’s sensor behavior to magnetic and electromagnetic effects generated by a large naval ship, without performing a deck landing.
Follow Army Recognition on Google News at this link

The H160M flew in an armed configuration close to the tanker but did not land on deck, to expose the helicopter’s sensors to magnetic disturbances generated by a ship of the Jacques Stosskopf’s size. (Picture source: French Navy)

During the fleet replenishment tanker BRF Jacques Stosskopf’s departure from the Toulon naval base to begin a long-duration deployment, the H160M prototype No. 1 operated in an armed configuration but did not land on the ship’s deck. The objective was not a landing exercise, but to observe how the helicopter’s sensors react when flying close to a large naval vessel. Ships of this size generate magnetic and electromagnetic effects that can influence onboard systems, and testing these conditions early helps Airbus prepare the helicopter for future operations at sea. This naval interaction between the H160M and the Jacques Stosskopf follows the first flight of the military variant of the Airbus H160, a medium twin-engine helicopter developed as a successor to the Eurocopter AS365 Dauphin, and positioned in the 6-tonne class.

The H160's development began under the X4 designation, with the first prototype flying in June 2015 and European certification achieved in July 2020. Initial deliveries started in December 2021, and the helicopter has since entered service with civil, public, and parapublic operators. The airframe is fully composite and was designed from the outset using a digital mock-up approach to reduce production time and lifecycle costs. The H160 was conceived to balance performance, operating range, payload, and reduced maintenance burden. It is intended for roles such as offshore transport, search and rescue, medical evacuation, surveillance, and government missions. The design also served as the technical baseline for the future military variant. 

Compared to the AS365 Dauphin, the H160 introduces several structural and aerodynamic features intended to improve efficiency and handling. For instance, it is equipped with a five-blade Blue Edge main rotor designed to reduce blade-vortex interaction noise while increasing lift capacity. The tail rotor uses a canted fenestron configuration, contributing to improved low-speed stability and yaw control. The helicopter incorporates electric landing gear and braking systems, replacing more traditional hydraulic solutions. Its fuselage geometry was optimized for reduced drag and improved internal volume. These design choices were made to support higher cruise speeds and longer endurance compared with previous helicopters in the same category.

The result is a configuration optimized for both land-based and maritime operations, making it relevant for the French Navy, which already operates six H160 helicopters in a modified civil configuration. These H160Bs are leased for a period of 10 years and are equipped with 13 modifications, including an Euroflir 410S electro-optical system, armor protection, a cabin operator console, a watertight cabin bin, and a medical wall for casualty evacuation. The H160 is powered by two Safran Arrano 1A turboshaft engines rated at 1,280 shp each. The helicopter has a maximum takeoff weight of 6,050 kg, with an alternate gross weight reaching 6,250 kg in certain configurations. It achieves a cruise speed of 255 km/h and a maximum speed of 272 km/h.

The maximum range is stated at 880 km, with an endurance of 4 hours and 30 minutes using standard fuel tanks. The helicopter can accommodate one or two pilots and up to 12 passengers in civil configurations. These performance figures place the H160 among the higher-performing helicopters in the medium class. The avionics architecture of the H160 is centered on an advanced digital cockpit designed to reduce pilot workload. The civil version uses the Helionix avionics suite, integrating flight management, automation, and mission data across multiple multifunction displays. This architecture emphasizes automation, envelope protection, and simplified pilot interaction.

The cockpit layout was designed to support single-pilot operations where permitted. Data integration and system monitoring are intended to improve situational awareness in complex environments. This avionics foundation was later adapted and expanded for the military H160M configuration, which facilitates training continuity and simplifies the transition between variants. The H160M Guépard is the military derivative of the H160, selected by France under the Hélicoptère Interarmées Léger (Light Interservice Helicopter) program to purchase a total of 169 helicopters for the French armed forces, including 80 for the Army, 49 for the Navy, and 40 for the Air and Space Force, in addition to 10 H160s for the Gendarmerie and one dedicated test helicopter.

The helicopter was officially named Guépard in 2019, with the development and production contract notified in December 2021. The H160M is intended to replace five legacy helicopter types, including the SA341 Gazelle, AS550 Fennec, AS365 Dauphin, AS565 Panther, and Alouette III. The first H160M prototype flew in July 2025, and deliveries to the French armed forces are planned to begin from late 2028 onward. Within naval aviation, the Guépard Marine is intended to replace the Alouette III first (withdrawn from service at the end of 2022), followed by the Dauphin SPI, the Dauphin Pedro, and subsequently the Panther. The H160M differs significantly from the H160 and H160B despite sharing a common airframe.

For instance, the H160M integrates reinforced structures, selective ballistic protection, and mission systems tailored to military use. The avionics are based on the Thales FlytX system, enabling centralized management of flight and mission functions from the cockpit. The helicopter is equipped with a Safran Euroflir 410 NG electro-optical system and a Thales AirMaster C AESA radar for surveillance missions, including maritime roles. A self-protection suite derived from Thales CATS 150 provides countermeasures across the optical and electromagnetic spectrum. The H160M is also designed for secure communications and integration into joint air, land, and maritime operations. Armament and mission adaptability are central to the H160M Guépard, as the helicopter can be equipped with 7.62 mm and 12.7 mm machine guns, guided rocket systems, and precision shooter installations in the cabin.

The HForce modular weapon integration system allows flexibility depending on mission requirements. Although technically designed to accommodate the ANL Sea Venom light anti-ship missile and MU90 lightweight torpedo, these capabilities are not funded in the initial standard. The H160M is also designed for cooperation with unmanned systems, being the first Airbus helicopter conceived from the outset for drone integration. This adaptability underpins its role as a common military helicopter capable of reconnaissance, transport, support, medical evacuation, and maritime surveillance across all three branches of the French Armed Forces. The Navy contributes through the HIL detachment of CEPA/10S based at Istres, and, as additional prototypes become available, the scope and intensity of testing are expected to increase.

Written by Jérôme Brahy

Jérôme Brahy is a defense analyst and documentalist at Army Recognition. He specializes in naval modernization, aviation, drones, armored vehicles, and artillery, with a focus on strategic developments in the United States, China, Ukraine, Russia, Türkiye, and Belgium. His analyses go beyond the facts, providing context, identifying key actors, and explaining why defense news matters on a global scale.