X6

Airbus has commenced the concept phase of new heavy-lift helicopter X6 at the current Paris Air Show.

This new phase is the start of a two-year definition period for the next-generation rotorcraft.

Designed primarily to serve the civil market, the X6 will be initially deployed on oil and gas missions, and later used for search and rescue, VIP tranport and other applications.

During the concept phase, Airbus will evaluate major marketing, architecture and design choices for the twin-engine helicopter.

Airbus Helicopters president and CEO Guillaume Faury said: "X6 will be for the heavy segment in the next decade what the H160 is today for the mediums.

"It will set new standards in the industry not only for design, but for its production strategy as well."

"It will set new standards in the industry not only for design, but for its production strategy as well, as we will rely on the industrial capacities of our core countries, including the upcoming pillar in Poland."

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The X6 will complement Airbus’ H generation and comes after the recently launched H160; the model will have several similarities to the new H175 and H160.

The helicopter will be designed with all-weather ready capabilities such as full de-icing, and will incorporate a fly-by-wire flight control system.

A subsequent development phase will begin once programme maturity has been achieved in the concept phase, with plans to put an X6 into service in the 2020s.

Image: An artist’s impression of heavy-lift X6 helicopter. Photo: courtesy of Airbus Helicopters.