Original post: https://old-forum.warthunder.com/index.php?/topic/575707-airbus-helicopters-h145m-the-latest-in-a-long-line/
- Yes
- No
The Airbus Helicopters H145 is a lightweight twin engine multi-role utility helicopter that represents the latest in a long line of successful German helicopter development, including the Bo-105 and BK-117. The H145M has seen widespread use among militaries all over the world with 15 countries operating the type, including by the US Army as the UH-72 Lakota. The H145M has been used in a variety of roles, including light attack, transport and utility, intelligence, surveillance, reconnaissance and maritime security.
The H145M is a versatile military variant that features a thermal optic, missile warning system, a large number of countermeasures, ballistic protection, and the capability to mount a variety of weapons on two external pylons including the Spike ER2 missile, laser-guided and dumb-fire rocket pods, as well as 12.7 and 20 mm gun pods. Two M134D can also be simultaneously fitted as door gunners which can be taken alongside the externally mounted armament. The H145M also features a significant power increase over previous light utility helicopters, featuring two Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2E turboshaft engines producing 550 kW each. For comparison, the H145M has a power-to-weight ratio of 0.614 kW/kg while the Bo 105 (already considered a very nimble helicopter) has a power-to-weight ratio of 0.486 kW/kg.
Currently, the German helicopter tree is fairly sparse on content, particularly when it comes to choices at top tier. The addition of the H145M would flesh out the helicopter tree and provide an interesting choice between itself and the Tiger UHT, the H145M having superior missiles and more countermeasures while the Tiger having the mast mounted sight and air-to-air missiles. It could also be introduced in two versions, a more modern five-bladed rotor variant with slightly increased manoeuvrability and load capacity for the tech-tree, and a premium four-bladed Serbian version.
Specifications
Fast cruise speed at MTOW: 240 km/h
Max. range with standard fuel tanks: 638 km
Max. endurance with standard fuel tanks: 3hr 32min
Max takeoff weight (MTOW): 3,800 kg
Useful load: 1,905 kg
MTOW with external load: 3,800 kg
Sling capacity: 1,600 kg
Engine: 2 x Safran Helicopter Engines Arriel 2E turboshaft
Max. takeoff power (per engine): 667 kW
Max. emergency power: (O.E.I) 800 kW
Usable fuel capacity: 723 kg
Armament & Equipment
EUROSPIKE SPIKE ER2
SPECIFICATIONS
Capacity: 8 missiles (4 per pylon)
Effective Range: 0.4 – 16 km
Round Weight: 35 kg
Weapon System Weight: 27-30 kg (configuration dependent)
Mode of Operation: Fire and Forget, Fire and Observe/Update
Guidance: Electro-optical missile seeker with both CCD and IIR sensors
Data Link: Fibre optic
Warhead: Tandem HEAT
SOURCES
https://eurospike.com/spike_er.min.html
https://www.rafael.co.il/wp-content/uploads/2019/03/spike_er2_2018.pdf
FZ FZ231 ROCKET LAUNCHER
SPECIFICATIONS
Calibre: 70mm FFAR and WA laser guided and dumb fire rockets
Capacity: 12 rockets
Outer diameter: 402 mm
Overall length: 1668 mm
Total mass (empty): 31 kg
Firing mode: ripple / single
Intervalometry: 80 ms (minimum)
SOURCES
https://fz.be/FZ231
FN HMP400 MACHINE GUN POD
SPECIFICATIONS
Calibre: 12.7 mm + 70 mm rockets
Capacity: 250 or 400 rounds + 3 rockets
Rate of fire: 1,100 RPM
Weight: From 118.5 kg to 160 kg fully loaded (depending on model)
Length: 1,940 mm
SOURCES
https://fnherstal.com/en/defence/integrated-weapons-systems/airborne-fixed-forward-firing-solutions/machine-gun-pods/
https://fnherstal.com/app/uploads/technical-data-machine-gun-pod.pdf
NEXTER NC621 CANNON POD:
SPECIFICATIONS
Calibre: 20×102mm
Capacity: 180 rounds
Rate of fire: 800 RPM
Weight: 49kg
Muzzle velocity: 985-1030 m/s depending on ammunition type
SOURCES
https://www.nexter-group.fr/sites/default/files/fichiers-catalogue-produit/P20.pdf
https://www.nexter-group.fr/sites/default/files/2020-05/20180604 Nexter - Catalogue Ammunition.pdf
https://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/8/8f/Nexter_NC621.JPG
Jane’s Air-Launched Weapons (2002) Giat M621 CANNON
UTVA L-80-07 ROCKET LAUNCHER
SPECIFICATIONS
Calibre: 80 mm S-8KOM rockets
Capacity: 7 rockets
SOURCES
https://youtu.be/os5hG6cEPPA
DILLON AERO M134 MINIGUN
SPECIFICATIONS
Calibre: 7.62x51mm
Rate of fire: 3,000 RPM
SOURCES
https://dillonaero.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/07/M134D-Standard-7.62x51mm-Data-Sheet.pdf
OTHER ARMAMENTS
- MG5 - can be mounted in the door gunner position instead of the M134
- HForce - A variety of weapons can be mounted as part of the Airbus HForce weapon systems
SELF-POTECTION
- Radar warning receiver
- Laser warning receiver
- Missile approach warning system
- Chaff and flare dispensers
- Ballistic protection in cabin and crew seats
- Infrared suppressor
- Self-sealing fuel tanks
- ROSY smoke launchers
OPTICS - WESCAM MX-15D
SPECIFICATIONS
- HD thermal camera
- HD daylight camera
- HD low-light camera
- Laser rangefinder/designator
- Advanced Video Tracker (AVT)
- Imaging blending
- 4-axis stabilized turret
SOURCES
https://www.l3harris.com/all-capabilities/wescam-mx-15d-airborne-targeting-and-designating
https://www.l3harris.com/sites/default/files/2020-07/ims_eo_brochure_wescam_MX-15D-0501AB-Brochure.pdf
https://youtu.be/MOUuxITR4eA
Media
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=8f7BVEFkwwI
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wIH11AbBAzk
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2FECb2L45t8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=os5hG6cEPPA
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-ddaeQjd5NQ
Sources
https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/helicopters/military-helicopters/h145m/h145m-missions
https://web.archive.org/web/20181009211145/http://company.airbus.com/news-media/press-releases/Airbus-Group/Financial_Communication/2013/07/20130711_ec_ec645.html
https://fz.be/news.php?n=36
https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2020-06-five-bladed-h145-receives-type-certification-by-easa
http://www.aviaexpo.com/en/catalogue-details/h145m-brochure-airbus-helicopters-46/
