The successful capability enhancement for the H145M continues. In the first weeks of December 2017, Airbus Helicopters demonstrated the ability to fire laser guided rockets (FZ275 LGR from Thales) with its new H145M platform at the Älvdalen test range of the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration Flight test Centre. In a rough and challenging environment the system performed flawlessly.

The electro-optical system (MX-15D) from L3 Wescam with embedded laser designation enabled a deviation of less than a meter for all rockets fired at a distance of up to 4.5 km/2.8 miles. This 70-mm/2.75-inch laser guided air-ground rocket enhances the H145M’s engagement capabilities. It fulfils the precision strike needs of the armed forces worldwide by reducing the risk of collateral damage, particularly during asymmetric combat operations.
«The laser guided rockets from Thales performed incredibly well especially taking into consideration the weather conditions we experienced during the trials which were far from ideal with a lot of moisture in the air», said Raymond Laporte, test pilot at Airbus Helicopters.
Following the success of the ballistic firing tests, held in Hungary in October 2017, the achievement of this new milestone with laser guided rockets is in continuity of Airbus Helicopters’ HForce development strategy to boost the H145M mission capability.
Final qualification of the ballistic HForce system on the H145M is scheduled for end of this year, while the laser-guided rockets is planned for end 2019.
Characteristics
DIMENSIONS | |
Length (rotor rotating) | 44.72 feet/13.63 m |
Fuselage length | 38.35 feet/11.69 m |
Height | 13.12 feet/4 m |
Main rotor diameter | 36.09 feet/11 m |
Width (blades folded) | 8.89 feet/2.71 m |
CAPABILITIES | |
Maximum Take-Off Weight (MTOW) | 8,157 lbs/3,700 kg |
Useful Load | 3,900 lbs/1,769 kg |
Sling load | 3,307 lbs/1,500 kg |
Maximum seating | 1/2 pilots + 10/9 troops |
ENGINE | |
2 × Turbomeca ARRIEL 2E turboshaft engines | |
Maximum Continuous Power (MCP) | 2×771 shp/2×575 kW |
Take-Off Power (TOP) | 2×894 shp/2×667 kW |
2 min One Engine Inoperative (OEI) | 1×1,038 shp/1×775 kW |
30 sec OEI-power | 1×1,072 shp/1×800 kW |
PERFORMANCE AT MTOW | |
Speed (Vne – never exceed speed) | 135 knots/155 mph/250 km/h |
Fast Cruise speed (Vh – maximum speed) | 132 knots/152 mph/244 km/h |
Maximum range | 357 NM/411 miles/662 km |
Hover ceiling OGE (TOP), ISA | 8,858 feet/2,700 m |