Airbus Unveils U145 Autonomous Uncrewed Helo at ILA Berlin

Airbus Helicopters is set to debut its groundbreaking U145, a fully autonomous uncrewed variant of its established H145 multi-mission rotorcraft, at the ILA Berlin Air Show. The aerospace giant will showcase a full-scale mock-up of this advanced system, signifying a pivotal expansion in its portfolio of helicopters and uncrewed aerial systems (UAS).

The U145 is slated for its inaugural flight by late 2026, initially incorporating a safety pilot within the cabin, with full operational entry into service anticipated in the early 2030s. Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, underscored the strategic significance of the U145: “With the U145, we are providing our customers with an autonomous, uncrewed iteration of our H145 helicopter. It masterfully combines the H145’s proven airframe, robust power, and substantial payload capacity with the inherent autonomy of an uncrewed aerial system.” Louvot further indicated plans for collaboration with leading autonomous mission partners across Europe, aiming to further develop the European UAS ecosystem and enhance the U145’s diverse mission capabilities.

Distinct from its crewed H145 counterpart, the U145 will be devoid of a physical cockpit. Instead, it will be equipped with a bespoke sensor suite and advanced artificial intelligence, facilitating complete autonomous flight operations. Structurally optimized for logistical missions, the U145 will feature an integrated nose door with a foldable loading table and a dedicated cargo floor. This marks the second instance of Airbus transforming a manned helicopter platform into an uncrewed configuration, following the VSR700, which originated from the Cabri G2.

Boasting a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 3,800 kg, the U145 is engineered as a versatile, mission-agnostic solution for both civilian and military applications, with a primary focus on high-volume cargo resupply. Its modular design allows for a wide array of roles, including disaster management, aerial firefighting, armed reconnaissance, surveillance, and advanced Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) operations. Furthermore, Airbus is partnering with European missile manufacturer MBDA to integrate a “mothership” function into the U145, enabling it to deploy Air-Launched Effects (ALE).

In a parallel development across the Atlantic, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, in collaboration with Shield AI, L3Harris, and Parry Lab, is offering the MQ-72C to the U.S. Marine Corps. This solution presents a fully autonomous variant of the battle-proven Lakota UH-72B, specifically tailored to meet the unique operational requirements of the Marines. The broader H145 family currently comprises over 1,800 helicopters globally, serving military, parapublic, and civil sectors, collectively accumulating in excess of 8.5 million flight hours. Powered by twin Safran Arriel 2E engines with Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC), the H145 is recognized for its remarkably low acoustic signature, positioning it among the quietest helicopters in its class, alongside its notably low CO2 emissions.

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