France has officially inducted the Airbus H160 helicopter into the training fleet of EPNER, the DGA’s (Direction générale de l’armement) test pilot school. The new platform strengthens the nation’s flight test training capabilities and marks a modernization milestone for the defense aviation sector.
The H160 joins the H225 “Helicopter Test Bench” already in operation with the DGA, expanding France’s capacity to train pilots and engineers in cutting-edge systems testing. Both aircraft will be used to evaluate advanced avionics, sensors, and mission systems under real flight conditions, offering students hands-on experience with the next generation of rotary-wing technology.
Replacing the legacy Dauphin SA 365 N, the H160 represents a key step in France’s long-term plan to modernize its helicopter fleet. The H160M Guépard — a dedicated military version selected in 2021 — will gradually take over from older models including the Gazelle, Panther, Alouette III, and Fennec. The Ministry of Armed Forces has outlined plans to acquire 169 H160Ms for service across all military branches.
Airbus conducted the H160M’s maiden flight in July 2025 at its Marignane site and is preparing for serial deliveries starting in 2028. To facilitate early systems testing, Airbus has established a specialized test bench replicating the helicopter’s cockpit and mission suite. The setup supports flight trials involving Safran’s Euroflir 410 sensor and Thales avionics, allowing early integration and operational familiarization for test crews ahead of the Guépard’s full-scale deployment.
