Airbus Helicopters H155

Airbus Helicopters H155
Pedro Aragão · CC BY-SA 3.0 · source
Name	H155
Manufacturer	Airbus Helicopters
Status	In production

Airbus Helicopters H155 is a five-blade, medium-weight, twin-engine civil helicopter developed and manufactured by Airbus Helicopters. Designed for passenger transport, corporate, emergency medical services, and offshore roles, it evolved from the Dauphin family and incorporates composite rotor technology, advanced avionics, and noise-reduction measures. The type has served in commercial, VIP, and special-mission capacities and has competed with platforms such as the AgustaWestland AW139, Sikorsky S-76, Bell 412, and Leonardo AW169.

Development and Design

The H155 traces lineage to the Aérospatiale AS365 Dauphin series and the Eurocopter AS365 N variants, benefiting from design inputs from Aérospatiale, Eurocopter, and later Airbus Group. Development emphasized a five-blade bearingless main rotor derived from technologies proven on the Eurocopter EC155 and composite tail rotor innovations similar to those used on the Eurocopter Tiger and NHIndustries NH90. Design goals included reduced vibration, lower cabin noise, and increased cruise speed to rival competitors like the Sikorsky S-92 and AgustaWestland AW109. Avionics suites were offered with glass cockpit options integrating systems from suppliers such as Thales Group, Honeywell, and Garmin, enabling interoperability with standards used by operators like Shell plc, BP plc, and ExxonMobil for offshore logistics. Structural materials included carbon fiber composites reminiscent of applications on the Eurofighter Typhoon and Airbus A350 to improve fatigue life and lower weight.

Variants

Several factory and customer-specific configurations emerged, mirroring trends set by models like the Eurocopter EC175 and the Leonardo AW189. Notable factory variants provided different mission fits: corporate/VIP interiors comparable to cabins on the Gulfstream G550 and Bombardier Challenger 604; offshore transport packages akin to those used by Bristow Group and CHC Helicopter; and EMS configurations outfitted with equipment suppliers like Stryker Corporation and Philips Healthcare. Special mission conversions have included law enforcement fits patterned after installations used by the Los Angeles Police Department, coastguard SAR modifications similar to platforms flown by the United States Coast Guard, and aerial survey kits paralleling those on the Airbus Helicopters H125. Export customers sometimes specified de-icing systems similar to ones on the AgustaWestland AW101 and defensive aids inspired by civil adaptations of military helicopters such as the Westland Lynx.

Operational History

The H155 entered service with operators in offshore, VIP, and EMS roles, joining fleets alongside aircraft from Sikorsky Aircraft, Bell Textron, and Leonardo S.p.A.. Offshore operations saw deployments to oilfields accessed by operators like Petrobras, Equinor, and TotalEnergies while VIP transports served heads of state and corporations similar to users of the Agusta A109 and Eurocopter EC135. Search and rescue and medevac missions drew comparisons to fleets operated by organizations such as the Royal Air Force, Royal Australian Air Force, and the French Sécurité Civile in terms of mission profiles. The type has been marketed globally at airshows including ILA Berlin Air Show, Farnborough Airshow, and Paris Air Show, with demonstrators displayed alongside the Airbus A320neo and Airbus Helicopters H175.

Operators

Civil operators comprise offshore service providers like Bristow Group, CHC Helicopter, and regional firms in Norway, Brazil, Australia, and United Kingdom. Corporate and VIP operators include corporations and charter companies comparable to users of the Gulfstream Aerospace fleet. Governmental and quasi-governmental operators have used the type for special missions similar to those flown by the French Gendarmerie and various coastguard services. Training and maintenance support have involved OEM-level facilities as well as third-party MRO organizations such as Lufthansa Technik and ST Aerospace.

Specifications

Typical specifications reflected medium twin-engine class standards comparable to the AgustaWestland AW139 and Sikorsky S-76: seating for up to 12 passengers in high-density configuration, cruise speeds approaching those of the Eurocopter EC155, maximum takeoff weight competitive with the Leonardo AW169, and range suitable for North Sea and Gulf of Mexico operations like those executed by Bristow Group and CHC Helicopter. Avionics packages often included autopilot systems, weather radar, and flight management systems supplied by manufacturers such as Honeywell, Thales Group, and Rockwell Collins.

Notable Incidents and Accidents

Recorded incidents involving the type have been investigated by civil aviation authorities including Federal Aviation Administration, European Union Aviation Safety Agency, and national accident investigation bodies like the Bureau d'Enquêtes et d'Analyses pour la Sécurité de l'Aviation Civile. Investigations referenced operational contexts similar to those faced by offshore operators such as BP plc and Shell plc and examined factors akin to other rotorcraft inquiries involving Sikorsky and AgustaWestland types. Lessons from these incidents contributed to airworthiness directives and safety advisories issued by authorities comparable to EASA and FAA.

Category:Airbus Helicopters aircraft