Airbus Unveils Autonomous U145 Helicopter

Airbus Helicopters is set to debut the U145, an uncrewed, autonomous version of its widely used H145 helicopter, at the upcoming ILA Berlin airshow. The company plans to showcase a full-scale mock-up of the aircraft.

The U145 is designed to retain the robust airframe, power, and payload capabilities of the H145 while integrating advanced autonomous systems. According to Airbus, a maiden flight featuring a safety pilot is scheduled for late 2026, with the aircraft projected to enter service at the beginning of the next decade.

A Pivot to Autonomy

"With the U145, we are offering our customers an autonomous, uncrewed version of our H145 helicopter," said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. "To develop the U145 and its capabilities as a multi-mission Unmanned Aircraft System (UAS), we will be teaming up with leading autonomous mission partners to further expand the UAS ecosystem in Europe."

This development marks the second time Airbus has converted a crewed helicopter platform into an uncrewed system, following the VSR700, which is based on the Cabri G2 light helicopter.

Design and Capabilities

The U145 departs from traditional helicopter architecture by removing the physical cockpit entirely. In its place, the aircraft features a specialized sensor suite and artificial intelligence to facilitate full autonomy. To optimize its primary function—high-volume cargo delivery—Airbus has incorporated structural adaptations, including an integrated nose door with a foldable loading table and a dedicated cargo floor.

With a Maximum Take-Off Weight of 3,800 kilograms, the U145 is being positioned as a versatile solution for both civil and military sectors. While cargo supply is the initial focus, the platform’s modular design is intended to support a range of roles, including disaster management, firefighting, armed scouting, surveillance, and "manned-unmanned teaming" operations.

Building on a Proven Legacy

The H145 family currently comprises more than 1,800 units in service globally, with over 8.5 million flight hours logged. The platform is powered by two Safran Arriel 2E engines and is recognized for having the lowest CO2 emissions in its class and a low acoustic footprint, making it the quietest helicopter in its category.