We've written quite a lot recently about and including Airbus Helicopters’ popular H145 twin engined helicopter. Paul Kennard now assesses the 145 as an attack helicopter. Could it be an economical alternative to the specialized machines? In this finale’ to the piece, Paul flies in the H145M and gives his impressions.

It was now time to put the HForce system to the test.

 Raymond asked me to bring the aircraft to the 2000ft hover.  A task made immeasurably easier by letting the AP take the strain.  Once stabilised, we used the powerful optics on the CMX-15D to find a suitable 'target' building.  Once we picked one, we then zoomed in further to nominate a Desired Mean Point of Impact (DMPI) then powered up the CMX-15D's Laser Range Finder (LRF).  The LRF gave us a range to target, then we selected the Laser Designator Function (well, a simulated LD, using a designator training mode of the LRF) and put the aiming point onto the window we had selected.  We were several KM away from the 'target', and as I selected weapons mode in the Scorpion the firing cue was out of my immediate Field of Regard (FoR).  Raymond told me to look up, and as I did the cue came into view.  Much like so much video of engagements in Ukraine, we were sitting just outside the direct flight range of the 2.75" rockets, and we'd need to give them a little 'gravity assist' to make it all the way to the target.  I transitioned forward, got approximately 80kts airspeed and pulled up to put my aiming reticule inside the firing cue and pulled the trigger to simulate weapons release.  The laser range readout immediately changed to 'time of flight' and we counted down the seconds to impact.

For Raymond, as a seasoned AH-64 pilot in his 'previous life', all very run of the mill - but that a career Support Helicopter pilot had no issues at all using the HForce / Scorpion / CMX-15D combination with very little (albeit high quality) instruction is a testament to how intuitive the HMI clearly is.  We elected to use the CMX-15D to conduct some 'BDA' and then dived down back to 500ft to simulate some strafe attacks.  Simplicity itself - select 'GUNS' on the SMS and the rocket graticule in the Scorpion became a 'pipper' and I merrily strafed away at the German countryside, jinking left and right as I went.  It was almost time to head back, so Raymond took control for one final demo.  A steep dive to get some speed on followed by a firm 'pull' to about 40-degrees nose up, then a rapid bunt to 30-degrees nose down, pause, simulate strafe, followed by a near 90-degree angle of bank right hand pull-off target.  A similar profile to that which I'd flown years ago in the UH-1Y but far more dynamic.  I mentioned to Raymond that in many ways this was a manoeuvre similar to the 'UTTAS 'Pop'' that the contenders for the US Army's Utility Transport Aircraft System had to satisfy in the 1970s.  That competition, ultimately won by Sikorsky's YUH-60, had used a distant relative of the H145M, the Bo105, as a benchmark for manoeuvrability - and the 'UTTAS Pop'' effectively ruled out Bell's teetering head design. 

As we eased back up to 2000ft, Raymond went 'heads in' to pre-program a GPS approach back to the strip at Donauwörth.  As requested, I let go and watched the Helionix and AP work in combination to recover the aircraft 'hands off'.  As requested by the H145M Project Manager, Constance, on long finals, Raymond cancelled the Flight Director, clicked off the AP and left me with the 'raw' aircraft to fly - which was still a comparatively stable aircraft to fly, and one which I had little problem in completing the approach, stabilising on the landing point, then turning and moving back to our parking spot and landing on.  As a not very current helicopter pilot, the whole sortie felt comfortable, and in many respects simple to execute.  We debriefed over a 'corporate lunch' before Raymond et al went back to their 'day jobs' and I got a tour of the NH90 Final Assembly Line and CH-53 maintenance facility.

So, to the question of the day.  What do I think the H145M offers in terms of a Light Attack / Utility /Scout Helicopter, and where do I think the Germans will notice the step down from the Tiger?

Firstly, there's no escaping the lack of speed. 110kts is simply not fast enough to act as an escort aircraft to Germany's incoming CH-47Fs. Nor is it fast enough to sweep the flight path without setting off several minutes in advance of the main package.  The lack of off-boresight gun system also reduces its effectiveness as a 'Brückenlösung' (AH), but it's worth remembering that the German Tigers are not  equipped with a fixed gun, however it can carry a podded weapon, so it will be no different for German crews.  While the rocket / gun pod fit I flew in sits firmly in the 'Light' end of the attack category, Airbus is already planning to offer the NEXTER 20mm cannon pod and the SPIKE ER2 FO or RF guided missile as part of the H145M package, with live firings having already been completed with both systems.  Capable of hitting targets up to 16km away, and packing a tandem charger Anti-Tank warhead, SPIKE ER2 will significantly increase the H145M's 'punch' - especially against armoured targets.  There's also the potential to integrate an IR AAM, such as Mistral or Stinger, exploiting the Scorpion for modest off-boresight engagements. 
 

However, it's perhaps doing the aircraft a disservice discussing it as a dedicated AH replacement - what about as the 'Find' / Light Utility platform?  Here, to me, it makes a lot more sense - Airbus Helicopters always emphasizes that the H145M is a multirole aircraft, and one role can be light-attack and scout capable. The small size, quiet, 5-blade rotor / Fenestron and impressive agility, coupled with excellent visibility, all suggest it would make a very credible Scout aircraft - and one carrying the necessary firepower to engage fleeting High Value Targets if encountered. 

My only criticisms in the Scout role would be the large area of unarmoured windscreen, and the potential vulnerability of the control runs to incoming fire.  There is also the need to unmask most of the aircraft to exploit the CMX-15D as it sits under the nose.  It's not a huge problem, provided crews carefully pick their OPs and ensure they have backdrop when 'popping' to use the sensor.  Although the MWS and optional Laser Warner (a combination of a Missile, Radar& Laser warning is already in the H145M-portfolio, and in the German H145M program requirements) are welcome in terms of platform protection (especially the latter as in the Scout role the aircraft should routinely be low enough to avoid MANPADS), I can't help feeling that in the scout role some form of Radar Warner or Radar Frequency Interferometer (RFI) would be useful to electronically 'sniff' the battlespace ahead of the aircraft - but, of course, these all add yet more cost, weight and complexity to the design.  As noted, Germany agrees.  How many 'export customers' do, remains a matter for conjecture.

Throw in the H145M's ability to move small numbers of troops or light resupply payloads around the battlefield, provide a battlefield CasEvac capability, and perform numerous disaster relief / civil recovery missions, and to me, at least, it makes an awful lot of sense to have in the OrBat.  Up gunned with SPIKE and a 20mm cannon, at reasonable risk, it can attack armoured formations in the spirit of the 1980s Bo105 fleet.  It can also find and attack softer targets with ease, exploiting its small size and agility to maximum effect.  The aircraft can be re-roled when required to fulfil any number of admin, support and liaison tasks, releasing the larger NH90 and future CH47 fleets to focus more on their core tasks. 

Most importantly, as a proven and reliable civil based design, there is every expectation that H145M availability will be a step change over the poor Tiger - and quantity has a quality all of its own.

The H145M.  Far better than the sum of its parts, and far more accomplished than I was expecting.  Great job Airbus - It's not a 'poor man's AH' but a well-judged 'all-rounder' - just make the shark’s teeth a standard fit!