The H145 helicopter – one of the most reliable platforms in the aviation world – has now entered the unmanned aircraft systems (UAS) market with the U145 model, which features full autonomous flight capability. Unveiled at the ILA Berlin Air Show, the new platform does away with the physical cockpit and transforms into an AI‑powered, multi‑mission drone mothership with a maximum take‑off weight of 3,800 kilograms.
Airbus Helicopters has optimised the proven airframe of the H145 platform and its high payload capacity for autonomous operations. Developed with a mission‑agnostic architecture for both military and civilian use, the U145 aims to serve a wide range of roles, from logistics operations to armed reconnaissance.
Autonomous Capabilities and Technical Transformation
Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said in a statement at ILA Berlin: “With the U145, we are offering our customers an autonomous and unmanned version of our H145 platform. By collaborating with leading partners to strengthen the UAS ecosystem in Europe, we are building a multi‑mission unmanned aircraft system capability.”
The U145 is Airbus’s second project to convert a manned platform into an unmanned one, following the Cabri G2‑based VSR700. It is equipped with specialised sensor packages and artificial intelligence algorithms. Removing the physical cockpit has made possible the structural adaptations needed for cargo missions – including an integrated nose door with a fold‑down loading ramp and a dedicated cargo floor.
Modular Design and “Drone Mothership” Concept
With a maximum take‑off weight (MTOW) of 3,800 kilograms, the U145 offers a modular solution for disaster management, firefighting, armed reconnaissance, surveillance and manned‑unmanned teaming (MUM‑T) operations. Under the “drone mothership” concept, Airbus is also collaborating with MBDA to include the management of air‑launched effects in the platform’s mission profile
Global Strategy and Technical Backbone
Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, meanwhile, is developing the UH‑72B Lakota‑based MQ‑72C platform in partnership with Shield AI, L3 Harris and Parry Labs for the US Marine Corps.
With over 1,800 active H145 platforms worldwide and more than 8.5 million flight hours, the helicopter has proven its operational experience. Powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines with a Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) system, the platform stands out for its low acoustic signature and the lowest CO₂ emissions in its class.
Timeline: First Flight in 2026
Airbus plans to carry out the first test flight – with a safety pilot on board – by the end of 2026. The system is expected to enter operational service by the early 2030s.
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Source: C4Defence-Airbus Helicopter
