Airbus Unveils Autonomous U145 Cargo Helicopter

Airbus unveiled the U145, an autonomous, uncrewed variant of the H145 aimed at high-volume cargo with a 2,600-pound payload and no cockpit. The company plans a late-2026 first flight with a safety pilot and an entry into service in early 2030s, targeting civil and military cargo roles including armed scouting and surveillance. Airbus is also exploring a drone mothership concept with MBDA and crewed–uncrewed teaming, leveraging the H145’s commonality to reduce costs while expanding Europe’s sovereign autonomous rotorcraft capabilities.