The European aerospace giant Airbus has transformed its well-known helicopter H145 in a new UAV called U145. The drone, which now has the striking appearance of a helicopter without a cabin, can be seen as a full-scale model at the aerospace, defense and aviation fair ILA Berlin Airshowwhich starts tomorrow in the German capital. This is the second Airbus platform to adopt the combine the performance of an extensively proven helicopter with advanced autonomous flight systems.
The company plans to fly the aircraft with a safety pilot on board before the end of 2026. Airbus aims to have the platform into operational service at the beginning of the next decade.
The H145 from which the U145 is based is one of Airbus’ most used helicopter platforms. They currently operate all over the world more than 1,800 H145 helicopters in military, civil and public service missions. Together, they accumulate more than 8.5 million of flight hours.
Unlike many current rotary wing drones, the U145 has been designed to carry more load and stay in the air longer. The aircraft has a maximum takeoff weight of about 3,800kgcorresponding to the payload 1,200kgand is aimed at missions ranging from cargo resupply to disaster response.
The traditional helicopter cockpit has been completely eliminated and the front now serves as a loading door. A folding loading table and reinforced loading floor have also been added to improve efficiency during field operations. To manage flight without a pilot on board, Airbus has integrated autonomous systems, artificial intelligence tools and a specific package of sensors.
At @ILA_Berlin, we introduce the Airbus U145: an uncrewed, fully autonomous variant of the H145. Optimized for cargo with no cockpit, an integrated nose door, and full autonomy, its first flight is set for late 2026. https://t.co/MbodUxYxyIpic.twitter.com/2EnMXzog6c
— Airbus Helicopters (@AirbusHeli) June 8, 2026
Matthieu LouvotCEO of Airbus Helicopters, points out in a statement that ‘with the U145, we offer our customers an autonomous and unmanned version of our H145 helicopterwhich combines the proven structure, power and payload of the H145 with the autonomy of an unmanned aerial system. To develop the U145 and its capabilities as multi-mission unmanned aerial systemwe will collaborate with leading partners in autonomous missions in order to continue expanding the ecosystem of unmanned aerial systems in Europe.’
Military and civil missions
Airbus hopes that the U145 can support both civil and military operations. The company has described the aircraft as ‘mission agnostic’meaning operators can adapt it to multiple functions with minimal structural changes.
Possible missions include firefighting, surveillance, strike-capable reconnaissance and disaster management. Airbus also wants the aircraft to act as a mothership for dronescapable of launching smaller aerial systems during combat operations.
Airbus also sees the aircraft as support for collaboration missions between manned and unmanned platformsin which autonomous aircraft operate alongside traditional helicopters and fighter jets.
The U145 marks Airbus’ second attempt to convert a manned helicopter into an autonomous aircraft. The company previously developed the unmanned system VSR700 from the helicopter pad Cabri G2.
Airbus considers that using an already certified helicopter gives the U145 a significant advantage over drone designs created from scratch. Existing supply chains, maintenance networks and operational data can shorten development timelines and reduce certification risks.
The H145 platform itself also provides operational advantages. Equipped with two motors Safran Arriel 2E with controls FADECthe helicopter maintains one of the lowest acoustic signatures in its class and produces fewer carbon emissions than many competitors.