H145M (earlier known as EC145 T2) is a multi-role twin-engine battlefield support helicopter produced by Airbus Helicopters. It is primarily intended for use by military and law enforcement agencies.
The helicopter can be deployed in transportation, special operations, intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition and reconnaissance (ISTAR), search and rescue, fire support, and medical evacuation missions.
The maiden flight of H145M was completed in November 2014 and European EASA (European Aviation Safety Agency) certification was received in May 2015.
The German Army H145Ms (Photo: Airbus Helicopters) – @ainonline.com
H145M orders and deliveries
A contract worth €194m was placed by the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) with Airbus Helicopters for the delivery of 15 H145M helicopters to the German Air Force
Airbus received a contract from Bundeswehr in June 2015 to deliver comprehensive service support for the H145M fleet, which will enter service with the German Air Force to perform operations with Special Forces Command (Kommando Spezialkräfte).
Royal Thai Army VIP Airbus H145 (EC145 T2)
Deep Blue Sea
Deep Blue Sea
Pictures: Royal Thai Navy deploys H145M helicopters in actual HADR mission for the first time: Here
LPD HTMS Angthong 791: Details
Design of the battlefield support helicopter
The H145M is an economical and versatile military helicopter based on the proven EC145 helicopter family.
On the military market, the H145 may appear like the new kid on the block while in fact it is anything but. Disguised as the UH-72A Lakota and as a replacement for the UH-1 Huey, the type has been serving the US Army for years already in training, transport and liaison roles. A staggering 423 Lakotas were ordered by the US.
In its special ops role, the H145M – advertized as a ‘light battlefield support helicopter’ – offers room for up to 10 soldiers in the ballistically protected cabin. The sliding side doors and fast rope systems offer quick exit in hover situations, while the double clamshell doors at the rear can also be used when on the ground.The Fenestron shrouded tail rotor offers protection and safety on the ground. Until now, special forces in Germany relied on the – again – UH-1 Huey. Source airheadsfly.com
UH-72A Lakota Light Utility Helicopter: Details
It features an advanced main and tail rotor gearboxes as well as Fenestron shrouded tail rotor for better anti-torque control. The tail rotor is fitted with composite asymmetrical blades that reduce the noise levels.
The H145M can seat up to 11 personnel including crew and troops. The large cabin space accommodates up to 10 troops in a high-density air assault layout, or a fully-equipped force for special operations.
Troops can rapidly ingress / egress through large sliding side doors and the rear clamshell door. The rotorcraft can be fitted with mission equipment kits including a fast rope system, cargo hooks and hoists for transport and utility missions.
The helicopter has a maximum take-off weight of 3.7t and can carry a useful load of 1,769kg, whereas its sling load capacity is 1,500kg. It measures 13.6m in length when rotors are in operation and has a width of 2.7m when blades are folded. The height and main rotor diameter of the helicopter are 4m and 11m, respectively.
Cockpit and avionics
airbushelicopters.com
The H145M is equipped with a modern digital glass cockpit that integrates Helionix® avionics suite. This cockpit is compatible with night vision goggles (NVG). It houses a head-up display (HUD) and a helmet-mounted sight display (HMSD) with day and night piloting and firing capability.
Two Garmin GTN 750 GPS/NAV/COMM multifunction displays on center console
What sets newer H145s, including the German special ops ones, apart from earlier models is the modulair and impressive Helionix cockpit suite which according to Airbus Helicopters offers pilots the world’s most advanced cockpit – apart from the Airbus A350. In the case of the H145, the suite consists of three large MFDs that can all be adjusted for diplaying either basic flight control instruments, engine parameters, digital maps or a range of other options. Two Garmin GTN 750 GPS/NAV/COMM multifunction displays complete the typical Helionix setup in the H145. The system offers a 4 axis autopilot including Auto-Hover function. Helionix will be integrated in all new or updated products of Airbus such as the new H135 and H160. Source airheadsfly.com
Packed full of powerful avionics, the GTN 750 is a fully integrated GPS/NAV/COMM solution. The 6-in.-tall system’s intuitive touchscreen controls and large display give you unprecedented access to high-resolution terrain mapping, graphical flight planning, geo-referenced charting, traffic display, satellite weather and much more. Source steinair.com
Helionix® avionics suite middle of the instrument panel (above) – airbushelicopters.com
Helionix® is a fully integrated system that cuts the amount of required equipment in half, meaning easier maintenance and a significant weight reduction.
With the situational awareness system in the middle of the instrument panel, the pilot can quickly see a digital display of the helicopter’s terrestrial (obstacles, terrain) and aerial (presence of other aircraft) environments. To prevent dangerous situations, the HTAWS (Helicopter Terrain Awareness System) warns the crew well in advance of any land-based obstacles in the vicinity of the current flight path.
The new avionics system includes a centralized maintenance function that monitors the status of all the helicopter’s sub-systems. Troubleshooting can quickly be performed via a ground-based diagnostics tool, and maintenance activities are fully optimized.
The cutting-edge Human-Machine Interface (HMI) displays all flight parameters and flight management data on a single screen. The Part Time Display is a new concept. A summarized version of the flight parameters can be displayed to help the pilot quickly analyze and assess the situation in order to remain fully concentrated on the mission. Source airbushelicopters.com
Royal Thai Navy H145M cockpit
Royal Thai Navy H145M cockpit- Image: Thai PBS
Royal Thai Navy H145M cockpit- Image: Thai PBS
Royal Thai Navy H145M cockpit- Image: Thai PBS
Featured on the military helicopter is a mission computer, an infrared / TV electro-optical system, an emergency locator transmitter (ELT) and a laser range-finder / designator / pointer. The four-axis digital autopilot aboard the cockpit reduces crew fatigue.
The MX-10D and MX-15D are part of a package of modernized systems for Airbus’ H225M and H145M helicopters to support anti-submarine warfare, tactical troop transport, search-andrescue, medical evacuation and special operations.
L-3 WESCAM’s targeting systems have been proven in combat and are configured with high-sensitivity multi-spectral sensors for day, low-light and night time missions.
To date, L-3 WESCAM has delivered over 530 of the MX targeting systems for 40 different airborne platforms since the company entered the targeting market in 2005. Source vanguardcanada.com
H145M weapon systems
The helicopter can be fitted with an incremental modular weapon system to engage conventional and asymmetric threats in the battlefield.
It is compatible with seven- and 12-tube rocket launchers, a 20mm cannon pod, a 12.7mm machine gun pod, and air-to-surface missiles. It can also be configured to carry laser-guided rockets.
FN MAG
| Calibre | 7.62x51mm NATO |
| Operating principle | Gas operated, open breech |
| Overall length | 1260mm (49.6″) |
| Weapon width | 118.7mm (4.67″) |
| Weapon width with bipod extended | 408mm (16.1″) |
| Weapon width with bipod folded | 160mm (6.3″) |
| Weapon height | 263mm (10.35″) |
| Weapon height with bipod extended | 318mm (12.5″) |
| Weapon height with bipod folded | 225mm (8.86″) |
| Weapon weight | 11,8 kg (26.01 lb) |
| Barrel type | Long |
| Barrel weight | 3.05 kg (6.75 lb) |
| Barrel length | 630mm (24.80″) |
| Buttstock type | Fixed |
| Cyclic rate of fire | 650 to 1,000 RPM |
| Feed | Belt |
| Firing mode | Full auto |
| Handguard type | N/A |
| Role | General Purpose Machine Gun |
Source fnherstal.com
Royal Thai Navy H-145M with FN 58 MAG
Images from ฝูงบิน202 กองการบินทหารเรือ
Browning M3M
SPECS
- CALIBER: 50 BMG (12.7x99mm) NATO
- OPERATION: Short-recoil
- CAPACITY: 100 – 600 Rd.
- WEIGHT: 81.6 lb.
- BARREL LENGTH: 36″
- RATE OF FIRE: 950 – 1,100 RPM
Source: fnamerica.com
0.50 cal gun pod
FN has developed a broad spectrum of machine gun pods designed for rotary-wing and subsonic fixed-wing combat aircraft capable of carrying the FN® M3P .50-caliber machine gun and multiple 2.75″ air-to-ground rockets with the FN® RMP variant. FN Pod Systems provide war fighters with a significant firepower advantage in every operational engagement and are in use by a number of NATO nations on both subsonic fixed and rotary-wing combat aircraft.
SPECS
- CALIBER: .50
- MAG CAPACITY: Customer Specified
- WEIGHT (EMPTY): 197 lb.
- WEIGHT (LOADED): 305 lb.
- HEIGHT: 17.1″
- LENGTH: 76.4″
- RATE OF FIRE: 950 – 1,100 RPM
Source fnamerica.com
FZ laser-guided rockets
FZ laser-guided rockets
The FZ275 LGR guided rocket closes the gap between the long-range high-value missiles and the shorter range guns/cannon and unguided rockets, thus affording a full range of precision effects from a platform to defeat soft and light armoured targets.
This rocket complies with the armies’ requirement for precise and reliable ammunitions capable of reducing exposure to danger and avoiding collateral damage which nowadays causes injuries to civilians.
Features
- Calibre : 2.75” (70mm)
- Nominal length : ~1800mm
- All up round weight : 12.5 kg (before burn)/9.1 kg (after burn)
- Guidance : SAL (Semi-Active Laser)
- Steering type : 4 folding canards
- Laser : compatible with STANAG 3733 or used defined code
Performance
- Range : 1500m up to 6000m
- CEP<1m (at 6km range)
SAL technology
The SAL-Laser Guided Rocket FZ275 LGR requires designation of the target by a laser designator.
The rocket has an in-built laser seeker that can read a specially coded laser being reflected off a target. This target can be marked either before launching the rocket (LOBL), after launch (LOAL) or even by a remote source, such as a soldier on the ground or another second flying platform. This versatility provides the helicopter with a far greater survivability and the ability to attack without moving into a target’s vision.
Configurations
FZ has developed 2 different configurations for its laser guided rocket :
- stand alone : easy and quick implementation of laser guided rocket FZ275LGR on platforms with FZ rocket system requiring any major modification
- integrated : full integration with full functionality increasing the capability envelope of FZ275LGR guided rocket :
- inventory information exchange through the platform it possesses prior to launch
- in-flight laser code implementation
- LOBL (Lock-On-Before-Launch)
- Two (bidirectional) way communication between rocket, rocket launcher and the platform (cockpit)
Warhead
FZ275 LGR offers different warheads such as High Explosive warheads.
Source fz.be
FZ231 laser-guided rocket launcher
Mechanical characteristics
The FZ231 rocket launcher system includes a twelve (12) tube rocket composite central section equipped with a Launcher Interface Unit (LIU).
- Height : 361 mm
- Width : 324 mm
- Overall length : 1658 mm
- Total mass (empty) : 31 kg
Performances
- Firing mode : ripple / single
- Intervallometry : 80 ms (minimum)
- Dual purpose : designed for firing both types of FZ 2.75″ FZ FFAR and WA rocket motors
- Rocket warheads : designed for firing all types of 2.75″ FZ rocket warheads conventional and equipped with remote set fuze
Source fz.be
NC 621 cannon pod
maquetland.com
The NC 621 cannon pod extends the range of missions (attack, close fire support, protection, self-defence) of the helicopters and lightest aircrafts. It provides airplanes with 20mm firepower previously restricted to 0.50 weapons. The NC 621 has been developed around the 20 M 621 cannon which is well known for its high accuracy, for simplicity (operation and maintenance) and which fires the 20mm x 102 NATO standard ammunition. The effectiveness and reliability of the NC 621 has been widely proven on various platforms.
– Gaz operated,
– Average firing rate: 750 rounds per minute,
– Ammunition stowage capacity: 180 or 250 ammunition
– Effective range: up to 2,000m
Source nexter-group.fr
Serbia to be launch customer for HForce weapon system on H145M: Here
Airbus Helicopters
Excerpt
Serbia has been revealed as the launch customer for the Airbus Helicopters HForce modular weapons system, with which it will equip four of its incoming fleet of H145Ms.
In late 2016 Belgrade ordered a total of nine of the German-built medium-twins, for use by its air force and police, with deliveries running from 2018-2019.
However, there had been no previous indication that it was also seeking the weapon system.
Airbus Helicopters completes first firing campaign with HForce-equipped H145M: Here
Excerpt
Donauwörth – Airbus Helicopters has recently completed a ballistic development test of an HForce weapon system on a H145M on Pápa Airbase in Hungary. The tested system included guns (FN Herstal HMP400), unguided rockets (Thales FZ231) and cannons (Nexter NC621) as well as an electro-optical targeting system by Wescam (MX15) and a helmet mounted sight display by Thales (Scorpion). All planned and required tests were performed in a tight and demanding time schedule.
Thales Scorpion Helmet Mounted Cueing Systems (HMCS)
Thales to supply Scorpion® helmet display
Key points
- This is the first helmet mounted display that features colour symbology and video imaging for both daytime and nighttime missions.
- Thales will be responsible for the viability study, testing phase, integration with test aircraft, qualification support and integration in the fleet.
Thales will also be responsible for the development and production of the specific configuration for the Spanish Air Force EF-18. The system is already operational in multiple platforms in the United States
Scorpion® is a ‘force multiplier’ system offering full colour symbology (navigation, intelligence, combat, etc.) for both nighttime and daytime missions, in addition to target cueing in potentially degraded visual environments, therefore easily allowing target designation and allocation of points of interest with the aircraft’s sensors. Scorpion® is fully interchangeable between helmets/pilots as it is installed directly over standard helmets, allowing the total amount of equipment necessary for the fleet to be reduced, thus favouring maintenance and reducing life-cycle costs.
Thales will be responsible for the viability study, testing phase, integration with test aircraft, qualification support and integration in the fleet. Thales will also be responsible for the development and production of the specific Scorpion® configuration for the Spanish EF-18 including ejection safety analysis. The qualification phase includes inter-operability with the IRIS-T missile and the daytime/ nighttime-imaging pod for cueing lightening targets.
Note to editors
The HMCS uses the patented and innovative HObIT (Hybrid Optical based Inertial Tracking) technology, the hybrid reference system that warrants high precision with minimum cabin intrusion. For nighttime missions, Scorpion can be operated with standard unmodified night vision goggles (NVG), therefore offering the same quality colour/video imaging symbol combination.
The system is already operational on multiple platforms in the United States such as the F16 Block 30/32 and the A10 ‘Thunderbolt II’ and has been flight tested on the F-22, the NH-90 and many other platforms. At present, the system is being actively evaluated by other clients globally. Source thalesgroup.com
Turkish defense firm Roketsan signs deal with Airbus Helicopters: Link
Survivability of the battlefield support helicopter
The helicopter integrates self-sealing fuel tanks, ballistic protection, infrared (IR) suppressor, and crashworthy seats. The low-profile, crashworthy fuselage and redundant flight systems improve the survivability of the helicopter.
Thai PBS
Electronic warfare systems including radar warning receiver, laser warning receiver, missile approach warning system and chaff / flare launchers further improve the endurance in high-threat scenarios.
Engines
The H145M is powered by two Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines equipped with dual-channel full authority digital engine controls (FADEC). Each engine develops a maximum continuous power of 771shp (575kW).
2 x Turbomeca Arriel 2E engines
2 x Arriel 2E de Turbomeca @aerobuzz.fr
One of the youngest Arriel family members, the 2E was certified in December 2012 and entered service in August 2014 with the delivery of the first Airbus Helicopters H145. The Arriel 2E offers 20% more power than the 1E2 installed on the EC145. It is capable of a take-off power of 894 shp, a cruising power of 828 shp and a maximum power, via the One Engine Inoperative (OEI) rating, of 1072 shp. Similarly to other Arriel 2+ variants, the 2E features a combination of new and proven technologies. Notably, it features a new axial compressor, a new HP compressor diffuser, new HP turbine blade material and a new-generation, dual-channel Full Authority Digital Engine Control (FADEC) linked to a modernized fuel system. Source safran-helicopter-engines.com
The helicopter has a fast cruise speed of 244km/h, maximum speed of 250km/h and maximum range of 662km. Its outstanding hover performance allows for operations at altitudes of 2,700m (8,858ft).
Featured image: Royal Thai Army VIP H145M – Image: Deep Blue Sea
Main material source: airforce-technology.com
Updated Aug 17, 2018
Thai Military and Asian Region 