Airbus Helicopters introduced the U145, an uncrewed version of its H145 platform, at the ILA Berlin Airshow, expanding its unmanned aerial systems (UAS) portfolio with a multi-mission autonomous helicopter designed for both civil and military applications.
The U145 combines the proven airframe, power and payload capacity of the H145 with advanced autonomy, featuring a dedicated sensor suite and artificial intelligence to enable fully uncrewed operations. A first flight with a safety pilot onboard is planned by the end of 2026, with entry into service targeted for the early 2030s.
Developed as a mission-agnostic platform, the U145 has a maximum take-off weight (MTOW) of 3,800 kg and is optimised for high-volume cargo operations. The design eliminates the traditional cockpit and incorporates cargo-specific modifications, including an integrated nose door, a foldable loading table and a reinforced cargo floor.
The platform’s modular architecture supports a wide range of missions beyond logistics, including disaster response, firefighting, surveillance, armed scouting, and drone mothership roles for air-launched effects. Airbus is partnering with MBDA to develop these capabilities, alongside broader crewed-uncrewed teaming concepts.
“With the U145, we are offering our customers an autonomous, uncrewed version of our H145 helicopter – combining the proven airframe, power and useful load of the H145 with the autonomy of a UAS,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. “To develop the U145 and its capabilities as a multi-mission UAS, we will be teaming up with leading autonomous mission partners to further expand the UAS ecosystem in Europe.”
The U145 builds on Airbus’ earlier uncrewed platform developments, including the VSR700, derived from the Cabri G2. In parallel, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, together with partners Shield AI, L3Harris and Parry Labs, is offering the MQ-72C, a fully autonomous variant of the UH-72B Lakota, to the U.S. Marine Corps.
The H145 family, on which the U145 is based, has more than 1,800 units in service worldwide, accumulating over 8.5 million flight hours across military, civil and parapublic missions. The twin-engine platform is powered by Safran Arriel 2E engines and features full authority digital engine control (FADEC), with low acoustic and emissions performance.
The introduction of the U145 reflects Airbus’ broader strategy to integrate autonomous capabilities across its helicopter and defence platforms, aligning its UAS portfolio with existing rotorcraft and fixed-wing product lines.
