Hexcel Corporation plans to extend its 40-year partnership with Airbus Helicopters and supply composite materials for the new H160 helicopter. Hexcel’s reinforcements, prepregs, adhesives and honeycomb materials have been selected for the H160’s composite fuselage structures and main rotor blades.
The use of Hexcel’s composite materials throughout the structure (fuselage, tail boom, tail rotor and main rotor blades) helps contribute to the lightweight fuel-saving design and performance optimization, the company says.
‘Hexcel’s composite materials have been used in Airbus Helicopters’ programs for many years and we are honored to be continuing our long-term relationship, based on innovation and continuous improvement,’ said Thierry Merlot, Hexcel president, aerospace EMEA-AP.
The helicopter is planned to enter service in 2019.
This story is reprinted from material from Hexcel, with editorial changes made by Materials Today. The views expressed in this article do not necessarily represent those of Elsevier.
