Striking carbon-livery, which represents the composite materials supplied by Hexcel, has been incorporated into the third H160 prototype helicopter made by Airbus. The use of Hexcel’s composite materials gives a lightweight fuel-saving design and performance optimisation. It was designed to create added-value in terms of performance, safety and comfort.

Designed by Airbus Helicopters, the prototype is a tribute to the 40-year partnership between Hexcel Corporation and Airbus Helicopters.

The gesture follows Hexcel’s announcement made in June 2017, of its reinforcements, prepegs, adhesives and honeycomb materials being selected for H160’s composite fuselage structures and main rotor blades.

Hexcel Corporation is a leading advanced composites company. It develops, manufactures and markets lightweight, high-performance structural materials including carbon fibres, specialty reinforcements, prepregs and other fibre-reinforced matrix materials, honeycomb, adhesives, engineered core and composite structures for use in commercial aerospace, space and defence and industrial applications.

Airbus is an international pioneer in the aerospace industry. It is one of the leaders in designing, manufacturing and delivering aerospace products, services and solutions to customers on a global scale. (VM)