GMR to launch new Airbus H140 medical helicopter in North America

Global Medical Response (GMR) has announced its role as one of the North American launch customers for Airbus’s newly developed H140 helicopter, a purpose-built aircraft designed from the ground up to meet the complex needs of the air medical transport industry. 

In 2022, Airbus invited GMR to join its customer advisory team to help with guiding the design and development of a next-generation aircraft with insights from industry leaders.

“Our involvement with Airbus from the earliest phases has been about ensuring every detail of this aircraft is aligned with the real-world demands of air medical operations,” said GMR Chief Operating Officer Ted Van Horne. 

GMR sent a team with a range of expertise – including pilots, aircraft maintenance staff, and frontline clinicians – to collaborate at Airbus’s development facilities. Working alongside other industry participants, the team took part in detailed design reviews and provided over 600 considerations on topics such as cabin lighting, stretcher placement, maintenance access, and accommodations for transporting patients with specialized needs.

The new aircraft incorporates several key features directly based on input from industry leaders: 

• Improved maintenance access: easier access to frequently serviced components increases aircraft uptime, critical for emergency medical services operating on demand
• Enhanced cabin configuration: a redesigned rear-cabin ‘tunnel clearance’ allows better access when transporting incubators and other neonatal equipment
• Smoother ride technology: the advanced rotor system reduces vibration, benefiting both patient comfort and aircraft longevity
• Greater payload and range: with an increase in useful load and a 20% larger cabin, the aircraft provides more flexibility for fuel, equipment and staff – vital for missions at higher altitudes and over longer distances
• Four-axis autopilot system: offers improved flight stability and safety, especially during complex operations and inclement weather conditions. 

GMR will be the first to operate the H140 aircraft in North America, with 15 units already on order and an expected entry into service in 2029. 

“This is more than a new aircraft – it’s a new advancement for the helicopter emergency services mission,” said Van Horne. “It represents what’s possible when a manufacturer and a mission-driven operator work hand in hand from the start.” 

GMR recently acquired a new Bell 407GXi.