The H145 as a surveillance & security platform
The Airbus H145 is the reference light twin for parapublic and security aviation. The current five-bladed variant adds 150 kg of useful load over its predecessor, bringing total to 1,905 kg, with a bearingless main rotor that cuts vibration for steadier sensor imagery, single-pilot IFR certification, and NVG compatibility. State police forces, border guards, and dozens of law-enforcement operators worldwide fly the type with EO/IR turrets, searchlights, and cabin mission consoles, while its 6 m³ cabin reconfigures between surveillance, SAR, and utility roles in hours.
H145M: the multi-role military variant
The militarized H145M lists ISR among its core missions alongside special-operations support, SAR, and armed missions with the HForce weapon system. Militaries across Europe and beyond are building H145M fleets, including the largest orders Airbus has ever taken for the type. Mission equipment packages install and remove rapidly, which is exactly the environment a flexible, sensor-agnostic mission system is built for.
AIMS-ISR in the H145 cabin
AIMS-ISR has been successfully integrated on the H145/H145M, turning the type’s flexible cabin into a complete tactical flight deck. A single cabin operator manages EO/IR control, interactive moving maps, AIS, and tactical data from one workstation. Recording, geo-tagging, and replay are built in, so every mission produces evidence-grade data products. Because AIMS-ISR is platform- and sensor-agnostic, operators keep a common mission system, training pipeline, and data format across mixed fleets (from light twins to fixed-wing patrol aircraft), as documented across the AIMS-ISR product line.
Sensor options proven on the H145 family
- L3Harris WESCAM MX-15D EO/IR, selected for new-build military H145M fleets
- Teledyne FLIR Star SAFIRE 380-HD family EO/IR, fitted to military H145Ms in service today
- Safran Euroflir 410: selected by Airbus for HForce-equipped platforms including the H145M
- Smith Myers ARTEMIS mobile-phone detection and location: offered across Airbus helicopters for SAR
- Searchlights, AIS, downlinks, and tactical radios: fused into the same operating picture
Mission profiles
- Airborne law enforcement: vehicle pursuit, overwatch, and evidence capture with cabin mission consoles
- Border security: persistent surveillance along land and littoral borders
- Search and rescue: hoist-equipped SAR with EO/IR and phone-detection search patterns
- Military ISR & special operations: reconnaissance, escort, and fire-support coordination on the H145M
- Maritime security: littoral patrol and vessel identification with AIS correlation
