在2015年巴黎航空展上，空客直升机公司宣布了全新的直升机开发计划，现名为X6直升机。但这并没有减弱公众对另一热点的关心，因为美国联合技术公司正打算出售西科尔斯基，而传闻空客公司是对其的思慕已久的公司之一。不管如何，空客公司新的直升机开发项目不可避免地成为了舆论的焦点。
大载重直升机X6项目的前两年被称为“定义期”。在此期间，空客公司将对下一代旋翼飞机进行调整（特别是燃油和汽油方面），使其适合民航市场。但空客同时表示，它还能用于搜救、VIP接送和其他应用，其中甚至包括军事项目。
在概念设计阶段，研究人员将对这架双引擎飞机的主要架构和设计选择进行评估，使其满足客户的操作要求。期间，他们将与全球各地的客户进行沟通交流，从而确定需要为X6赋予哪些价值。在随后的两年内，他们将评估、选择主要设计架构，并鼓励客户提供建议。
X6是空客直升机H代机型的最新成员，而上一款大获成功的H机型便是在今年六月刚刚完成首飞的H160。（空客直升机最近将这一产品名称从“EC”系列改为了“H”系列）。
“在未来十年内，X6之于重型直升机的重要性就相当于H160今天在中型直升机中的地位。它会为整个行业树立设计与生产策略的标杆，因为我们会动用核心国家的工业产能，其中包括波兰即将建成的生产设施，”空客直升机公司总裁兼首席执行官Guillaume Faury解释道。“我们的目标是为市场提供效率最高的直升机，而且它还将不断进化。”
在定义和研发阶段，空客直升机公司就希望创造一架成熟的、适应于全天候（包括全面除冰）的下一代双引擎旋翼飞机，而且从第一批成品上市，起就必须达成这个目标。X6将使用电传操纵控制系统，这是空客公司首次使用的重要创新技术之一。Turbomeca公司早已踊跃自荐，希望成为X6的发动机供应商，但它仍需与来自北美的其他公司展开激烈竞争。
作为空客直升机公司的最新项目，X6将与该公司的其他新型旋翼飞机（其中包括最新的被称为“超级中型机”级别的H175，以及H160）共享许多特征。
一旦概念设计阶段足够成熟，那么紧接着将展开后续研发，并预计在2020年左右正式上市。
空客直升机公司在全球152个国家内拥有3000多家客户，现役直升机共1.2万架左右，每年飞行时间超过300万小时。全球员工超过2.3万人，2014年营业收入为65亿欧元。
Airbus Helicopters looks to the future in heavy-lift rotorcraft with the X6 concept
Airbus Helicopter's announcement at the Paris Air Show about the beginning of the concept phase for a new helicopter, currently called the X6, didn't quite knock off the tip of everyone's tongue the fact that UTC has officially put Sikorsky out to bid, with Airbus being one of the company's whispered admirers. But it was anything but ignored.
The launch of the heavy-lift X6 begins a two-year definition period on this next-generation rotorcraft that will be tailored for and targeted to the civil market, specifically oil and gas, but Airbus says it will also certainly be suited for search and rescue, VIP, and other applications that could include military variants.
Major architecture and design choices for the twin-engine aircraft will be assessed to meet customer operational requirements during the concept phase, supported by a significant dialog with customers worldwide to validate the X6’s value creation for their operations. Major design architecture choices to be evaluated, and customer input sought, during the next two years
The X6 is the newest arrival in Airbus Helicopters’ H generation, continuing on from the success of the recently unveiled H160, which took its first flight in June. (Airbus Helicopters recently renamed its product range replacing the former “EC” designation with an “H.”)
“X6 will be for the heavy segment in the next decade what the H160 is today for the mediums. It will set new standards in the industry not only for design, but for its production strategy as well, as we will rely on the industrial capacities of our core countries, including the upcoming pillar in Poland,” explained Guillaume Faury, the President & CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “Our objective is to bring to the market the most efficient helicopter [that] will evolve in the future.”
In defining and developing the X6, Airbus Helicopters is striving for a next-generation, twin-engine rotorcraft that is mature and all-weather ready—including full de-icing—from the first delivery. One of the major innovations to be integrated on X6 is Airbus Helicopters' first use of a fly-by-wire flight control system.Turbomeca has already eagerly raised its hand for the X6's engine configuration, but it is quite likely other hands from North America will be raised high as well.
As the latest program to benefit from Airbus Helicopters, the X6 will share commonality features with the company’s latest rotorcraft – including both the new H175 (considered to be in the "super medium" class) and H160.
Once adequate program maturity has been achieved in the concept phase, a subsequent development phase will follow, leading to an X6 entry into service anticipated in the 2020s.
Flying more than 3 million flight hours per year, the company’s in-service fleet includes some 12,000 helicopters operated by more than 3000 customers in 152 countries. Airbus Helicopters employs more than 23,000 people worldwide and in 2014 generated revenues of 6.5 billion Euros.
