Airbus presented this Monday (8) the U145, a fully autonomous and pilotless version of the H145 helicopter, expanding its bet on the unmanned aerial systems market amid the advancement of artificial intelligence and automation in aviation.
The new model will be presented during the ILA Berlin Air Show, one of the main events in the aerospace sector in Europe. According to the manufacturer, the first flight is scheduled for the end of 2026, initially with a safety pilot on board. Entry into commercial operation is expected at the beginning of the next decade.
“The U145 combines the proven airframe, power and payload of the H145 with the autonomy of an unmanned aerial system,” said Matthieu Louvot, CEO of Airbus Helicopters.
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The project represents another step by Airbus in transforming conventional aircraft into autonomous platforms. Before the U145, the company had already developed the VSR700, derived from the Cabri G2 helicopter.
Unlike the traditional H145, the U145 will not have a pilot cabin. The space will be adapted to expand cargo transport capacity, including an integrated front door and a retractable loading table. The aircraft will also feature a set of specialized sensors and artificial intelligence systems capable of enabling fully autonomous operations.
With a maximum takeoff weight of 3.8 tons, the U145 was designed to serve both civil and military customers. Airbus sees the transport of large volumes of cargo as its main application, but highlights that the platform can be adapted for firefighting missions, disaster management, surveillance, armed reconnaissance and operations in conjunction with manned aircraft.
Among the planned features is also the ability to act as a kind of “aerial aircraft carrier” for smaller drones launched into flight, a technology that is being developed in partnership with the European weapons manufacturer MBDA.
The initiative comes at a time of rapid expansion in the global autonomous systems and defense market. Companies in the sector have been investing heavily in solutions capable of reducing operational costs, increasing mission safety and reducing the exposure of human crews in risky environments.
In the United States, Airbus is already working on a similar concept. Through Airbus US Space & Defense, the company develops, in partnership with Shield AI, L3 Harris and Parry Labs, the MQ-72C, a fully autonomous version of the Lakota UH-72B military helicopter aimed at the US Marine Corps.
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Airbus highlights that the H145 family has more than 1,800 helicopters in operation around the world, accumulating more than 8.5 million flight hours in military, government and civil missions. The platform’s operational history is highlighted by the manufacturer as one of the main advantages for accelerating the adoption of the autonomous version.
The launch reinforces a growing trend in the aerospace industry: the convergence between traditional aircraft, artificial intelligence and unmanned systems, an area that is expected to receive billions of dollars in investment in the coming years.
