Airbus Helicopters has unveiled the U145, an autonomous and uncrewed version of its H145 helicopter, expanding its portfolio of uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) and marking a significant step in the company’s rotorcraft autonomy roadmap.
The aircraft was introduced at the ILA Berlin Air Show, where Airbus displayed a full-scale mock-up of the platform. A maiden flight with a safety pilot onboard is planned by the end of 2026, with entry into service targeted for the early 2030s.
The U145 combines the proven H145 airframe with autonomous flight technologies, including a dedicated sensor suite and artificial intelligence capabilities designed to enable fully autonomous operations. Unlike the crewed H145, the new platform eliminates the cockpit and incorporates cargo-focused modifications such as an integrated nose-loading door, foldable loading table and dedicated cargo floor.
“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.
The U145 is the second crewed helicopter Airbus has adapted into an uncrewed platform following the VSR700, which is derived from the Cabri G2 light helicopter.
Designed with a maximum take-off weight of 3,800 kg, the aircraft is being developed as a multi-mission platform for both civil and military operators. Airbus expects the U145 to support high-volume cargo transport while also offering potential for disaster response, firefighting, surveillance, armed reconnaissance and crewed-uncrewed teaming operations.
The company is also exploring the use of the platform as a drone mothership capable of deploying air-launched effects, working in partnership with MBDA on related technologies.
Separately, Airbus U.S. Space & Defense, together with Shield AI, L3Harris and Parry Labs, is offering the U.S. Marine Corps the MQ-72C, a fully autonomous variant of the Lakota UH-72B tailored to U.S. military requirements.
The launch builds on the operational track record of the H145 family, which has accumulated more than 8.5 million flight hours across military, public service and commercial missions worldwide. More than 1,800 H145 helicopters are currently in service.
Airbus said the U145 will complement its existing UAS portfolio as demand grows for autonomous platforms capable of supporting logistics, surveillance and future military operations.
