Airbus unveils U145 autonomous helicopter drone for cargo supply ops

BELFAST — European aerospace leader Airbus has introduced the U145 autonomous helicopter drone, derived from its established H145 rotorcraft family, at the ongoing Berlin Air Show. The uncrewed system is designed to revolutionize cargo logistics and support defense operations across Europe.

The company showcased a full-scale prototype during the event, emphasizing its role as a versatile platform for unmanned cargo delivery. The U145 is expected to begin safety testing with a pilot onboard by year-end, with potential service deployment planned for early 2030. Key modifications to the H145 include a reinforced nose-loading system featuring a foldable cargo table and dedicated freight storage compartments optimized for military and commercial transport needs.

Airbus Helicopters CEO Matthieu Louvot confirmed the platform will leverage partnerships with leading autonomous technology firms to develop multi-mission capabilities, including surveillance, armed reconnaissance, and crewed-uncrewed cooperative operations. The system’s AI-powered autonomy builds upon the VSR700 unmanned helicopter, Airbue’s first UAV rotorcraft conversion project.

According to Airbus defense representatives, current development efforts remain independent of specific national procurement programs. Progress includes collaboration with U.S. defense contractors on the separate MQ-72C autonomous drone initiative under USMC acquisition programs, though the U145’s immediate targets focus on European military requirements.

Airbus reported active service of over 1,800 H145 variants globally, with cumulative flight hours exceeding 8.5 million – providing a mature foundation for U145’s development. The drone integrates specialized aerial mission systems while maintaining backward compatibility with existing pilot training protocols.

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