Airbus U145 Uncrewed H145 Variant Details and Payload

Airbus Helicopters has detailed the structural and operational modifications for its U145, an uncrewed variant of the H145 rotorcraft designed to maximize payload capacity for heavy logistics and tactical operations in hostile environments.

In a program update published on September 22, 2026, the manufacturer outlined how removing the cockpit from the proven H145 airframe enables a zero-level flat floor and 360-degree cargo access. The U145, initially unveiled at the ILA Berlin airshow in June 2026, targets a maiden flight by the end of the year and entry into service in the early 2030s.

Structural modifications and payload capacity

The primary engineering shift for the U145 involves the complete removal of the crewed cockpit. According to Constance Pinsdorf, H145M Programme Manager at Airbus, this space is replaced by a computer system and mechanical modifications capable of autonomous flight.

“Our main motivation was to create an autonomous aircraft based on an existing platform. We want to have an autonomous platform that can carry more than the standard H145. Meaning, we increased the payload,” Pinsdorf stated.

The redesign creates a zero-level surface within the loading compartment. This flat floor allows for 360-degree access from the front, sides, and rear, ensuring that heavy cargo boxes can be secured stably for transport directly to the front line. The aircraft retains a Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) of 3,800 kg, leveraging the existing power and airframe of the H145 while dedicating the saved weight to useful load.

Tactical applications and the mothership concept

While heavy logistics and cargo transport remain the primary focus for the U145, Airbus is positioning the uncrewed rotorcraft for complex tactical missions in contested airspace.

Pinsdorf noted that the platform could serve as an “air-launched effect mothership.” In this configuration, the U145 would carry smaller drones into hostile environments and launch them directly into the operational area, keeping human crews out of danger.

The development of the U145 parallels efforts by Airbus U.S. Space & Defense to field a similar autonomous platform for the United States military. Partnering with Shield AI, L3 Harris, and Parry Lab, the company is offering the MQ-72C, an uncrewed variant based on the Lakota UH-72B, to the US Marine Corps.

The U145 is the second crewed helicopter Airbus has converted to an uncrewed system, following the VSR700, which was derived from the Cabri G2.

AirPro News analysis

We view the U145 program as a pragmatic approach to the growing demand for heavy-lift uncrewed aerial systems (UAS). By converting an established, certified airframe rather than designing a clean-sheet UAS, Airbus significantly reduces developmental risk and timeline. The H145 family already possesses a mature global supply chain and proven dynamic components. Removing the cockpit and life-support systems yields an immediate payload dividend, which is highly attractive to military operators looking to sustain forward-deployed forces without risking aircrew. The transition from the VSR700 to a medium-twin platform like the H145 indicates a strategic scale-up in Airbus Helicopters’ autonomous portfolio.

Sources: Airbus