Airbus Helicopters
Airbus Helicopters is a France-headquartered division of Airbus SE that designs, manufactures, and supports civil and military rotorcraft. It has delivered approximately 19,000 helicopters across roughly 150 countries and serves government, military, commercial, and satellite services customers.
- Company typePublic
- Founded1970
- HeadquartersBlagnac, France
- Headcount5,001–10,000
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What Airbus Helicopters does
Airbus Helicopters is a division of Airbus SE headquartered in Marignane, France, that designs, manufactures, and supports civil and military rotorcraft. The company has delivered approximately 19,000 helicopters to customers in approximately 150 countries, representing roughly one-third of the global rotorcraft in-service fleet. Its product portfolio spans light twin helicopters (H145), medium-class platforms (H160, H215), the newly launched H140, and the RACER compound rotorcraft demonstrator, alongside emerging unmanned aerial systems following the Aerovel acquisition.
The division operates within Airbus SE, which employs approximately 157,000-160,000 people globally, and serves a diverse customer base spanning government and military operators, commercial airlines, civil helicopter operators, and satellite services clients. Revenue is generated through aircraft sales, multi-year support and aftermarket services, and military procurement contracts. The company is deepening its role in the broader aerospace ecosystem through partnerships with SkyFall, Diehl Defence, MTU Aero Engines, Loft Orbital, and Air Canada, as well as strategic acquisitions in cybersecurity (infodas) and unmanned systems (Aerovel).
Business model mechanics center on high-margin aftermarket services tied to the installed base, long-cycle military contracts, and incremental growth from new platform introductions and vertical expansion into UAS and satellite-enabled services. The integration of AI capabilities — including computer vision for automated landing, autonomous flight functions, and predictive analytics — supports the company's modernization roadmap but remains a product feature rather than a standalone revenue stream.
Airbus Helicopters firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- Airbus Helicopters
- Legal name
- Airbus SE
- Website
- https://airbus.com
- Company type
- Public
- Founded year
- 1970
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 5,001–10,000 employees
- Short description
- Airbus Helicopters is a France-headquartered division of Airbus SE that designs, manufactures, and supports civil and military rotorcraft. It has delivered approximately 19,000 helicopters across roughly 150 countries and serves government, military, commercial, and satellite services customers.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
Airbus Helicopters industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Civil and Military Helicopters (Rotorcraft Manufacturing)
- NAICS
- Aircraft Manufacturing (336411), Aerospace Product and Parts Manufacturing (3364)
- SIC
- Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Civil/Commercial Helicopter Manufacturing (IMABABAA)
- akta.pro secondary industry
- Military/Defense Helicopter Manufacturing (IMABABAB)
Keywords
Where Airbus Helicopters is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Blagnac
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices16 records
Markets served
Airbus Helicopters business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Operations, Personnel, Technology or R&D, Supply Chain, Infrastructure, Marketing or Sales
Revenue model
- Commercial Aircraft Sales: Sale of passenger and freighter aircraft including A220, A320, A330, A350 families, and A380
- Helicopter Sales and Services: Civil and military helicopters including H125, H130, H135, H145, H160, H215, plus HCare services and support
- Defence and Space: Military aircraft, satellites, space systems, defence communications, and security solutions
- Services and Support: Aircraft maintenance, pilot training, spare parts, digital services, and customer support across all product lines
Pricing tiers
| Model | Billing | Price |
|---|---|---|
| Other | Multi-year contract | Commercial aircraft - bespoke pricing based on configuration and volume |
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels4 records
Marketing channels9 records
Airbus Helicopters product offering
Product offeringCore offering
Airbus Helicopters, the rotorcraft division of Airbus SE, designs, manufactures, and supports a comprehensive range of civil and military helicopters (including the H125, H130, H135, H145, H160, H215 Super Puma, and military variants), uncrewed aerial systems, and corporate helicopters. The company also delivers lifecycle services through its HCare program, covering maintenance, spare parts, pilot training, and technical support, and supplies nearly one-third of the world's rotorcraft fleet across 150 countries.
Product overview
Airbus Helicopters, a division of Airbus, offers a comprehensive portfolio of rotorcraft solutions including civil helicopters (H160, H145, H140, H215 Super Puma), military helicopters, corporate helicopters (ACH), and uncrewed aerial systems. The product lineup also includes support services through HCare and a pre-owned helicopter program. The RACER high-speed demonstrator showcases innovation toward next-generation helicopter technology with speeds up to 440 km/h. With approximately 19,000 helicopters delivered in 150 countries, Airbus Helicopters supplies nearly one-third of the world's rotorcraft fleet.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Airbus Corporate Jets (ACJ): Corporate jet aircraft brand offering custom cabin configurations for VIP and corporate transport.
- Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH)
- HCare
- Airbus UpNext
- ZEROe
- Airbus Flightlab
Products and services
- H160 Helicopter Medium-lift civil helicopter designed for offshore transfers, emergency medical services, search and rescue, and law enforcement missions.
- H145 Helicopter Lightweight twin-engine civil helicopter known for versatility, used extensively in emergency medical services, police operations, and tourism.
- H140 Helicopter Lightweight helicopter designed for emergency medical services and public services missions.
- H215 Super Puma Helicopter Heavy twin-engine helicopter used for firefighting, search and rescue, and construction missions, powered by powerful engines for critical operations.
- RACER High-Speed Helicopter Demonstrator High-speed helicopter demonstrator achieving optimal balance of speed, cost-efficiency, and environmental performance, reaching speeds up to 440 km/h with fuel savings of around 20% compared to conventional helicopters, integrating over 90 patented technologies.
- Military Helicopters Military rotorcraft for defence operations including combat, transport, reconnaissance, and search and rescue missions.
- Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) Corporate helicopter brand offering bespoke helicopter solutions for executive and VIP transport.
- Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UAS) Uncrewed aerial systems including surveillance drones, maritime patrol aircraft, and autonomous platforms for military and commercial missions, including the Flexrotor and Eurodrone.
- HCare Services Comprehensive support and maintenance services for helicopter operators including spare parts, training, and technical support across a global service centre network.
- Pre-Owned Helicopters Certified pre-owned helicopter programme offering inspected and maintained aircraft with warranty support.
Quantifiable outcome
- 19,000 helicopters delivered in 150 countries, supplying almost one-third of the world's rotorcraft
- +3 more outcomes
Companies that use Airbus Helicopters
Customer profileNamed customers9 records
Segments4 records
Ideal customer profiles3 records
Airbus Helicopters technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature6 records
Airbus Helicopters partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
Seven partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.
- MTU Aero EnginescoreJoint venture to develop a fully electric hydrogen fuel-cell propulsion system for aircraft. Combines Airbus' aircraft integration expertise with MTU's propulsion technology.
- Air CanadaminorJoint initiative to scale domestic Canadian sustainable aviation fuel (SAF) production and usage, supporting aviation decarbonization efforts.
- SkyFallcoreStrategic alliance to advance European and Ukrainian defence innovation. Combines Airbus' aerospace capabilities with SkyFall's defence technology expertise for next-generation defence solutions.
- Diehl DefencecoreAgreement to intensify cooperation in integrated air and missile defence systems. Deepens existing partnership for joint defence technology development.
- Airbus UpNextcoreAirbus' innovation subsidiary focused on developing breakthrough technologies for future aircraft, including hydrogen propulsion, autonomous flight, and advanced materials.
- AcubedminorAirbus' innovation center in Silicon Valley focused on exploring emerging technologies and startup partnerships for aerospace applications.
- 40 European Partners (Racer Program)coreMulti-national European consortium of 40 partners developing the Racer high-speed helicopter demonstrator, showcasing pan-European aerospace cooperation.
Scale indicators7 records
Recent moves5 records
Expansion highlights5 records
Airbus Helicopters competitors and assessment
Company assessmentDirect peers
- MD Helicopters: MD Helicopters is a smaller US-based rotorcraft OEM producing the MD 500/530/600 series and next-generation MD 902, competing in the light single/twin civil helicopter market against Airbus' H125 and H130.
- Sikorsky (a Lockheed Martin company): Sikorsky is a direct competitor primarily in military rotorcraft with the UH-60 Black Hawk, CH-53K King Stallion and S-97 Raider, competing for the same heavy-lift and utility military helicopter contracts that Airbus Helicopters targets with its H225M Caracal and NH90 offerings.
- Leonardo S.p.A. (Helicopters Division): Leonardo Helicopters (formerly AgustaWestland) is a direct European rival producing the AW109, AW139, AW189 and AW249 that compete in the same EMS, SAR, offshore and military transport segments as Airbus Helicopters' H145/H160/H215 and Tiger platforms.
- Robinson Helicopter Company: Robinson is a direct competitor in the light civil helicopter segment with the R22, R44 and R66 piston helicopters, primarily competing on price and simplicity in private/utility/training markets that overlap with the entry-level H125.
- Bell Textron: Bell is a direct competitor in civil and military rotorcraft, producing the 505, 407, 412, 525, V-22 Osprey and AH-1Z Viper that compete head-to-head with the H125/H130, H145, H160 and Tiger families across commercial, EMS and military markets.
Broad incumbents
- Textron Inc. Textron is the parent of Bell Textron and a broad aerospace/defence incumbent; it competes with Airbus Helicopters through Bell in civil and military rotorcraft and offers comparable aftermarket services and defence electronics support.
- Boeing Defense, Space & Security: Boeing is a broad aerospace and defence incumbent that produces the AH-64 Apache, CH-47 Chinook and V-22 Osprey (jointly with Bell), competing against Airbus Helicopters in heavy military rotorcraft and providing comparable scale in defence and government programmes.
- Lockheed Martin Corporation: Lockheed Martin is the parent of Sikorsky and a broad defence incumbent; it competes with Airbus Helicopters via Sikorsky in military rotorcraft and provides comparable large-scale defence programme management, systems integration and sustainment capabilities.
Emerging players
- Joby Aviation: Joby is an eVTOL emerging player developing electric vertical takeoff aircraft for urban air mobility; it does not directly compete today but represents a potential long-term substitute for short-range civil helicopters in passenger transport and corporate aviation segments Airbus Helicopters serves.
- Embraer Defense & Security: Embraer is an emerging player in defence and special-mission aircraft (Super Tucano, KC-390), with growing overlap into helicopter-adjacent markets such as light attack, SAR and ISR, making it a partial competitor as it expands its rotorcraft-adjacent portfolio.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks7 records
Key highlights7 records
Customer concentration
Airbus Helicopters social profiles
Digital presenceAirbus Helicopters financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
Airbus Helicopters leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles12 records
Airbus Helicopters subsidiaries and ownership
Company hierarchySubsidiaries5 records
Airbus Helicopters funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Airbus Helicopters M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about Airbus Helicopters
What does Airbus Helicopters do?
Airbus Helicopters, the rotorcraft division of Airbus SE, designs, manufactures, and supports a comprehensive range of civil and military helicopters (including the H125, H130, H135, H145, H160, H215 Super Puma, and military variants), uncrewed aerial systems, and corporate helicopters. The company also delivers lifecycle services through its HCare program, covering maintenance, spare parts, pilot training, and technical support, and supplies nearly one-third of the world's rotorcraft fleet across 150 countries.
Is Airbus Helicopters a public or private company?
Airbus Helicopters is a public company. It is classified as public and is currently operating.
When was Airbus Helicopters founded?
Airbus Helicopters was founded in 1970. It employs 5,001 to 10,000 people.
Where is Airbus Helicopters based?
Airbus Helicopters is headquartered in Blagnac, France, in the Europe region.
How does Airbus Helicopters make money?
Four revenue lines are on record. Commercial Aircraft Sales are the primary driver. The others are helicopter Sales and Services, defence and Space and services and Support.
Who are Airbus Helicopters's main competitors?
Direct peers on record are MD Helicopters, Sikorsky (a Lockheed Martin company), Leonardo S.p.A. (Helicopters Division), Robinson Helicopter Company and Bell Textron. Broad incumbents are Textron Inc., Boeing Defense, Space & Security and Lockheed Martin Corporation. Emerging players are Joby Aviation and Embraer Defense & Security.
Does Airbus Helicopters have an API?
No public API is recorded for Airbus Helicopters.
What industry is Airbus Helicopters in?
Airbus Helicopters's product category is Civil and Military Helicopters (Rotorcraft Manufacturing). Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABABAA, Civil/Commercial Helicopter Manufacturing, with a secondary code of IMABABAB, Military/Defense Helicopter Manufacturing. Its NAICS code is 336411 and its SIC code is 3721.