Airbus Helicopters Discontinues H120, Shifts Focus To H125 & H130

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Airbus Helicopters has announced it will end production of its H120 single-engine turbine helicopter and shift focus to the H125 and H130 models. The H125 is shown here. (Photo courtesy of Airbus.)

Global civilian and military helicopter manufacturer Airbus Helicopters, owned by aerospace and defense manufacturer Airbus Group, is discontinuing production and related marketing efforts for its entry-level H120 “Colibri” model. Law enforcement agencies in particular have used the single-engine turbine light model for such tasks as surveillance, crowd control, anti-terrorist support, firefighting, drug detection, and border patrol duties.

According to Helipress, Airbus Helicopters will now shift focus to the company’s H125 and H130 models, of which Controller.com has new and used models for sale. According to Helipress, Airbus Helicopters CEO Guillaume Faury stated the company will cease investing in the H120, noting that “this program will gradually stop.” Reportedly, production of the H120 will also end in China where it is manufactured under the HC120 model name and is also known as the EC120. Faury added that Airbus Helicopters will continue supporting the H120 globally with the “same level of support and services as today.”

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Airbus Helicopters will turn attention to its H125 (shown) and H130 single-engine turbine models now that it plans to discontinue production of the H120 model. (Photo courtesy of Airbus.)

The H120 was designed through a partnership with Chinese company Harbin Aircraft Manufacturing. The helicopter made its first flight in 1995 and went into service in 1998. More than 700 units have reportedly been delivered in 50-plus countries and more than 600 are still in service. The helicopter entered service in the United States in 2004 and includes the U.S. Homeland Security Department as customers.

The H125 (formerly known as the AS350) that Airbus Helicopters will now emphasis in the single-engine turbine space is aimed at civilian, air medical, and law enforcement tasks. It seats five to six passengers, includes a Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine, has a max weight capacity of 5,225 pounds (2,370 kilograms), and can hit a cruise speed of 137 KTAS.

The light single-engine H130 (formerly the EC130), seats seven to eight passengers in a modular cabin design and includes an Turbomeca Arriel 2D engine and active vibration control system. The helicopter has a max weight capacity of 5,512 pounds (2,500 kilograms) and a top cruise speed of 128 KTAS. The model is aimed at private users, tourism and charter operations, and other applications.

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Airbus Helicopters has announced it will end production of its H120 single-engine turbine helicopter and shift focus to the H125 and H130 models. The H125 is shown here. (Photo courtesy of Airbus.)

Source: Airbus