The first of the 62 Airbus Helicopters H145M LKH for Germany made its maiden flight from the Donauwörth production facility on 27 September. (Airbus Helicopters)
The first H145M Leichter Kampfhubschrauber (LKH) helicopter for Germany made its maiden flight from Airbus Helicopters' Donauwörth production facility on 27 September.
The milestone came nearly two years after the Bundeswehr placed its record-breaking order for 62 (with an option for a further 20) helicopters and accompanying weapons systems to partially replace its Airbus Tigers and to support its special forces, in December 2022.
“It's lift-off time – the first of 62 H145M helicopters ordered by the German armed forces recently completed its maiden flight at our Donauwörth site in Germany!” Airbus Helicopters said on its official X (formerly Twitter) account. “At the same time, the first German pilots began training on their brand new helicopters.”
Funded primarily from the Bundeswehr's EUR100 billion (USD112 billion) special fund, the H145M LKH procurement will see the German Army (Heer) receiving 57 to begin the Tiger replacement process and the German Air Force (Luftwaffe) receiving five for its special forces. It also includes the HForce weapons system and support.
The H145M LKH will take over light-attack duties from the German Army's Airbus Tiger combat helicopters (KH). This will be a bridging solution to avoid a capability gap as the Tiger faces obsolescence issues, following Germany's earlier decision to not partake in the Mk III upgrade. The Bundeswehr Tiger KH fleet will be retired in 2032, with the H145M LKH serving as a bridging solution as it considers the type's long-term replacement.
Looking to read the full article?
Gain unlimited access to Janes news and more...
