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H145M Light Utility Helicopter - Pictures

November 19, 2024 - Less than a year after the contract was signed, Airbus Helicopters has delivered the first of up to 82 H145Ms ordered by Germany at its Donauwörth site. The Bundeswehr (German Armed Forces) have named their new H145Ms “Leichter Kampfhubschrauber” (light combat helicopter), or LKH for short. The helicopter's missions include training, reconnaissance, special forces operations and light attack. “We remain a reliable partner of the German Bundeswehr. Delivering the first H145M LKH in less than a year after the contract signature demonstrates our commitment. The H145M LKH will be a true multi-mission asset for the German Armed Forces, supporting their crucial missions,” said Stefan Thomé, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Germany. This first helicopter is dedicated to training operations and will be used at the German Army's Bückeburg base. The first delivery of an H145M LKH in the light attack role to the German customer is scheduled for 2025, as contracted. The training of the Bundeswehr’s pilots started already in August 2024. On 14 December 2023, the Bundestag's budget committee approved the purchase of additional H145M combat helicopters. The procurement, worth a total of around 2.63 billion euros, will be financed from the German Armed Forces special fund and, from 2028, from the regular defence budget. The investment includes weapons and ammunition for training, spare parts, deployment packages for operations, training simulators and other training equipment, initial training and additional extensive support services. In December 2023, the Bundeswehr and Airbus Helicopters signed a contract for the purchase of up to 82 multi-role H145M helicopters (62 firm orders plus 20 options), the largest order ever placed for the H145M and consequently the largest for the HForce weapon management system. The contract also includes seven years of support and services, ensuring optimal entry into service and support. The German Army will receive 57 helicopters, while the Luftwaffe's special forces will receive five. The Army Aviation Corps, with its helicopters, is capable of air-mobile combat together with the infantry forces. It also enables air-mobile command, reconnaissance, combat and operational support, including the air-mobile transport of personnel and material as well as of the wounded. In essence, the helicopter pilots carry out the following tasks: combat, transport and training. Financed from the Bundeswehr's special fund, the light combat helicopter is intended to increase the troops' operational capability. The handover of the light combat helicopter is "an outstanding example of the fact that we have significantly increased the speed of procurement," said Defense Minister Boris Pistorius. "It is no longer a matter of working for years on gold-plated solutions, but above all of relying on market availability and reliability. That is why the decision to use an already tried and tested aircraft for the light combat helicopter was also a conscious one."" Pistorius is also convinced that the introduction of the light attack helicopter will also allow for early commitments to the North Atlantic Treaty Organization until a decision is made on the successor to the Tiger attack helicopter, the H145M is intended to serve as a bridging solution in the role of ground-level air support, primarily to defend against armoured units. The Tiger is to be retired in 2032 - six years earlier than previously planned. In addition, the introduction of the light combat helicopter with its capabilities to support special forces also contributes to the alliance's joint capabilities portfolio. Pistorius is certain: "The interaction of the systems will enable us to achieve a new quality and effectiveness for the armed forces." Since 2014, a report on the material operational readiness of the German Armed Forces has been presented to the Bundestag every year. At the end of November 2016, this report was published for the third time. To start with the good news: “The Light Support Helicopter (LUH) SOF has achieved a remarkable material operational readiness level of around 90% in the ongoing operational test. High reliability, easy maintainability and extensive industrial services have a very positive effect here.” By 2017 the Bundeswehr wanted to buy a total of 15 machines, the last of which were to be delivered in 2017. The H145M is a multi-role military helicopter that provides a broad range of mission capabilities. Within minutes, the helicopter can be reconfigured from a light attack role with axial ballistic and guided weapons and a state-of-the-art self-protection system into a special operations version with fast rappelling equipment. The comprehensive mission packages include hoisting and external cargo capabilities. The standard version of the ordered H145Ms is equipped with fixed provisions, including HForce, the weapon management system developed by Airbus Helicopters. This allows the Bundeswehr to train its pilots on the same type of helicopter that is used for operation and combat. Costly type transfers are eliminated and the highest level of professionalism will be achieved. The various modifications that are possible on the helicopter - such as ballistic protection, self-protection systems or even powerful reconnaissance sensors - make the H145M helicopter multifunctional. This enables missions regardless of the time of day, for example. The light combat helicopter can also be equipped with additional equipment for flights over sea. The machines can therefore be used flexibly wherever the German armed forces require fast reaction times and precision. The H145M is the military version of the tried-and-tested, light twin-engine H145 helicopter. The global fleet of the H145 family has accumulated close to eight million flight hours. It is used by armed and law enforcement forces around the world for the most demanding missions. The Bundeswehr already operates 24 H145 helicopters for special forces operations and search and rescue missions. The US Army employs almost 500 helicopters from the H145 family under the name of UH-72 Lakota which have clocked more than 1.5 million flight hours. Military operators of the H145 family are Hungary, Serbia, Luxembourg, Thailand, Ecuador and Honduras. Recent orders include Cyprus, signing for six aircraft, Belgium for 17 and Brunei for six. Powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines, the H145M is fitted with a full authority digital engine control (FADEC). In addition, the helicopter is equipped with the Helionix digital avionics suite which, alongside innovative flight data management, includes a high-performance 4-axis autopilot, reducing pilot workload during missions. Its particularly low acoustic footprint makes the H145M the quietest helicopter in its class. A total of 15 helicopters of H145M Light Utility Helicopter Special Operations Forces (LUH SOF) were purchased for the German Armed Forces. The Light Utility Helicopter – Special Operation Forces is a light multi-purpose helicopter for supporting special forces. The machine is tailored to their needs. Each H145 M carries four fully equipped special forces soldiers, for example the KSKSpecial Forces Commandor the KSMNaval Special Forces Command, to their place of deployment. In the future, the helicopter will also be able to provide fire support and reconnaissance from the air. In addition, wounded personnel will soon be able to be evacuated with this helicopter. When purchasing the helicopter, the German Armed Forces deliberately chose a commercially available helicopter, the EC145. This was then adapted to the needs of the soldiers. With its special technologies, the H145 M is equipped for special land and sea operations. During the flight, the pilots are supported by a 4-axis autopilot. Thanks to the two powerful gas turbines, the H145 M reaches a top speed of 268 kilometers per hour. It can fly during the day and at night. The helicopter allows the special forces to be brought to their destination in a well camouflaged and particularly quiet manner. Its color makes the helicopter difficult to see in poor visibility conditions. The H145 M's shrouded tail rotor, the Fenestron, makes it one of the quietest helicopters in its class. The soldiers can use the release systems to abseil down the sides of the hovering machine. Thanks to the small rotor diameter of the H145 M, this is also possible in urban environments. The helicopter can be equipped with various equipment: electronic self-protection systems, ballistic protection or additional equipment for use at sea. The helicopter also has powerful reconnaissance sensors. They enable the crew to fly reconnaissance missions day and night. This makes the H145 M LUH SOFLight Utility Helicopter – Special Operation Forcesextremely flexible in use. A particularly important feature for the changing requirements of special operations.

Kampfhubschrauber Tiger

The Tiger attack helicopter is one of the most modern and lethal weapon systems in the German army. Tiger UHT (Unterstützungs Hubschrauber Tiger, i.e. Combat Support Helicopter Tiger) is a multi-role fire support helicopter. The Tiger attack helicopter is a two-seater helicopter powered by two powerful engines. It provides the army with a future-proof, highly mobile, rapidly deployable, powerful and multifunctional flying platform. The Tiger attack helicopter is not as vulnerable as it is portrayed. The Tiger can ensure all types of airmobile operations across the entire spectrum of tasks of the armed forces. This also includes the implementation of special operations and the support of special forces. The Tiger attack helicopter can be used in the air for command and reconnaissance, combat and support. It also provides direct support to soldiers on the ground with fire from the air.

In national and alliance defense, all available attack helicopters are used in air-mechanized operations to significantly weaken the enemy 's attack power far in advance of our own ground troops. Depending on the mission and the expected enemy, the helicopter can be equipped with various weapons: heavy machine guns, guided or unguided rockets. An overview: The Tiger has a total of four weapon stations – two on each side. Various combinations of weapons can be attached to them. Helicopters use low-level flight to take advantage of terrain shapes and coverage. They are not dependent on airfields and, with appropriate equipment, can fly and fight even in very limited visibility and at night.

The 36th "Kurhessen" attack helicopter regiment is a flying combat unit of the army and belongs to the Rapid Forces Division. The regiment has around 1,200 positions. The 36th "Kurhessen" attack helicopter regiment is a flying combat unit of the army and belongs to the Rapid Forces Division. The regiment has around 1,200 positions. Maintenance optimized by the attack helicopter regiment is important for the smooth operation of these highly complex machines for the safety and operational readiness of the troops.

The 36th Kurhessen Combat Helicopter Regiment is tasked with providing air support to all armed forces and specialised forces involved in combat, both nationally and multinationally. The regiment 's main weapon system is the Tiger combat helicopter . It fights enemy air and ground targets, even in the dark and in bad weather. The Tiger combat helicopter can be equipped with anti-aircraft missiles (for self-defence), anti-tank missiles, unguided rockets and heavy machine guns. In addition, the 36th Combat Helicopter Regiment is capable of conducting liaison and reconnaissance flights, gathering information and supporting rescue operations. The same applies to disaster relief operations and humanitarian missions in the national area.

The Tiger was designed and developed during the Cold War. Nevertheless, it has been proving its operational capability at home and abroad for over 15 years now . The attack helicopter passed its first test in Afghanistan and later in Mali. It is an example of European arms cooperation. The bilateral training concept of the training center in France was launched by the then heads of state Helmut Kohl and François Mitterrand almost 20 years ago.

The prospective attack helicopter pilots are trained in Le Cannet des Maures. Supported by simulators, the " taming of the tiger" is taught in detail in the challenging geology of the Maures Mountains. After a long break, the jointly used Canjuers military training area was reopened for attack helicopters in 2019. This enabled the binationally managed center to resume joint shooting operations with the Tiger. Last but not least , the Russian attack on Ukraine demonstrates the need for a functioning European defense.

The total inventory of the German Armed Forces (German Air Force) TIGER support helicopter (UH) currently amounts to 42 systems. Since 2014, a report on the material operational readiness of the German Armed Forces has been presented to the Bundestag every year. At the end of November 2016, this report was published for the third time.

"During the period under review, the Army had an average of 27 TIGERS available, of which twelve were operational; this corresponds to an average of around 44% material operational readiness. Compared to 2015, the available stock was increased from 23 to 27 TIGERS and operational readiness was almost doubled. (…)

"The UH TIGER of the Bundeswehr (Air Force) is a weapon system that is not ready for deployment. (…)

"Qualified crews and technical personnel, training, logistics, maintenance, infrastructure and operating procedures are the essential components for achieving operational readiness. A weapon system that is not operationally ready, such as the UH TIGER, can be used in small numbers for a limited time and location in an operation if all available resources are concentrated on the operation. This was impressively demonstrated in 2012 and 2013 with four UH TIGERs in Afghanistan, of which on average over 90% were operational, for a period of 18 months.

"For the upcoming deployment in MALI from March 2017, we are currently working hard on the tailor-made operational readiness of the UH TIGER, taking into account the experience gained in Afghanistan in the sense of a "best practice" solution. Germany is the first nation to take on the urgently needed 12-month "combat helicopter" slot as part of the UN mission MINUSMA, thus giving the United Nations sufficient time for follow-up planning."

The phrase "tailor-made operational readiness" is very interesting . It is also noteworthy that a development program of the German Air Force (German Bundeswehr) that has been running for many decades has ultimately resulted in twelve combat helicopters that are ready for use. "If all available resources" are used, the result is four "Tiger" helicopters in Afghanistan, while at home the machines have to remain on the ground and spare parts are lacking.

After a German version of the attack helicopter crashed when its blades fell off the chassis in Mali in July 2017, the manufacturer released a statement saying that safety was its main concern, and that as a result, the helicopters were not suitable for flying. Airbus Helicopters said they were at a loss to understand why its helicopters were failing, but declared that "all Tiger versions" were "unsafe" at this point in time. "Despite the missing information and considering a sudden failure, Airbus Helicopters (AH) declares an unsafe condition for all Tiger versions," the statement said. "AH can neither identity the part, the failure of which would lead to the accident, nor the origin of the failure (design, manufacturing, maintenance). Consequently, AH is not in a position to propose a protective measure." The light combat helicopter will be available from 2026. The light combat helicopter is an interim solution for a few years, but it also offers many advantages. For example, it impresses with its wide-ranging reconnaissance capabilities and diverse armament. The German Armed Forces will purchase up to 82 light combat helicopters. Until a decision is made on the successor to the Tiger combat helicopter, the H145M will serve as a bridging solution, providing close air support to the ground to defend against armoured units.