A contract has been agreed upon between the German Bundeswehr and Airbus Helicopters to procure a maximum of 82 multi-role H145M helicopters (of which 62 are firm orders and 20 are options). As the largest order ever submitted for the H145M, the HForce weapon management system has also received its largest order. In addition, seven years of support and services are included in the contract, guaranteeing an ideal start date. Fifty-seven helicopters will be allocated to the German Army, whereas the Luftwaffe’s special forces will be provided with five.
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, stated that the H145M is a robust multi-role helicopter and that the H145M LUH Special Operations Forces fleet of the German Air Force has acquired significant operational experience. He stated that the organisation will ensure the helicopters are delivered to the Bundeswehr following the extremely ambitious timetable, which commences with shipments in 2024, less than a year after the contract’s execution.
H145M is a military helicopter with diverse mission capabilities and multiple operational roles. The helicopter can be converted in a matter of minutes from a light assault configuration, which includes axial ballistic and guided weapons and a cutting-edge self-protection system, to a special operations configuration, which provides fast rappelling equipment. The all-encompassing mission bundles comprise capabilities for hoisting and external cargo. Furthermore, the upgraded data links and communication systems and the capability to operate with the integration of Manned-Unmanned Teaming are among the prospective mission capabilities that can be selected for the new German H145M.
The basic version of the H145Ms that have been procured will feature fixed provisions, such as the HForce armament management system designed and developed by Airbus Helicopters. This facilitates the training of Bundeswehr pilots aboard the helicopter model employed in combat and operations. Procurement-intensive type transfers will be eradicated, thereby attaining an elevated standard of professionalisation.
The H145M is the military variant of the light twin-engine H145 helicopter, which has been proven effective. The H145 family has logged over seven million flight hours in its global fleet. Armed and law enforcement agencies worldwide employ it for the most arduous missions. Sixteen H145M LUH SOF and eight H145 LUH SAR helicopters are already in service with the Bundeswehr. The United States Army operates nearly 500 H145 family helicopters, of which the UH-72 Lakota is a variant. H145M operates in Luxembourg, Hungary, Serbia, and Thailand; Cyprus has ordered six aircraft.
Facilitated by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, full authority digital engine control (FADEC) is installed on the H145M. Furthermore, the helicopter is outfitted with a cutting-edge flight data management system and a high-performance 4-axis autopilot from the Helionix digital avionics suite. This significantly reduces the pilot’s burden during missions. Due to its minimal acoustic emissions, the H145M is the quietest helicopter in its category.
