Airbus Unveils 3,800-kg U145 Drone Helicopter for Cargo, Firefighting and Surveillance
Updated
Updated · en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br · Jun 8
Airbus Unveils 3,800-kg U145 Drone Helicopter for Cargo, Firefighting and Surveillance
3 articles · Updated · en.clickpetroleoegas.com.br · Jun 8
Summary
Airbus detailed the U145 as a multi-mission autonomous H145 variant built first for hauling large cargo loads into hard-to-reach areas, with a 3,800-kg maximum takeoff weight.
The design adds a nose-integrated front door, foldable loading table and dedicated cargo floor, while also allowing the aircraft to launch smaller drones in flight.
Airbus said the modular platform could also support disaster response, firefighting, surveillance, armed reconnaissance and teamed operations between crewed and uncrewed aircraft; MBDA is involved in the drone-launching concept.
The U145 is Airbus's second conventional helicopter converted into an unmanned platform after the VSR700, as the company also pursues the U.S. Marines' MQ-72C program against an autonomous Black Hawk rival.