Norway and the Middle East are ready to join the development programme for the H175M helicopter with a cruising speed of 300 km/h and a range of 1,260 km

Airbus plans to involve new partners in the development of the H175M military helicopter. It is being built as part of the New Medium Helicopter (NMH) programme for the UK Royal Air Force.

Here's What We Know

This information was shared by Lenny Brown, managing director of Airbus Helicopters UK. According to him, several countries showed interest in the helicopter. We are talking about countries in the Middle East and Norway, which needs helicopters for the army and special operations forces.

Airbus Helicopters UK brought the H175M to the Paris Air Show in Le Bourget. The NMH programme envisages production of 36 to 44 helicopters, while the company wants to increase sales to hundreds of units. That is exactly what it needs foreign customers for.

The manufacturer intends to build 150 helicopters by 2030. Between 2031 and 2050, another 350 units will be produced. So Airbus Helicopters UK wants to sell 500 helicopters in less than 30 years.

The H175M will be able to transport up to 18 people without a crew. It will have a cruising speed of 300km/h, a maximum takeoff weight of 7,500kg, a practical ceiling of 6,000m and a range of 1,260km.

The new helicopter will be the replacement for the AW149. The Leonardo model (pictured above) has a range of 800 km and a top speed of 310 km/h (cruising speed is 278 km/h). The maximum take-off weight is 8,500 kg.

Source: Janes