Davenport Aviation proudly introduced Virtus, the world’s first modular weapon system for the H125/AS350 helicopter, at the Global Defense Aviation Conference in Poland. Designed to meet the growing demand for affordable, agile, and mission-ready aircraft, Virtus offers unmatched versatility—bridging the gap between parapublic, law enforcement, and military and weaponized operations worldwide.

“The VIRTUS Modular Mounting System transforms the H125/AS350 into a true multi-mission powerhouse,” said Rob McMillin, Vice President of Aircraft and Aircraft Systems at Davenport Aviation. “With installations and removals completed in under an hour, operators can seamlessly shift between civilian, law enforcement, and military roles, unlocking adaptability where one helicopter can conquer diverse challenges without compromise.”

Mission-Ready Versatility

Designed for the proven H125/AS350 platform, Virtus is engineered for multi-mission adaptability. It supports configurable firepower with .50 caliber and 7.62mm guns, unguided rockets, and future precision-guided munitions, along with EO/IR sensors, door gun options, hoist systems, searchlights, cargo swing capability, ballistic protection, and emergency floats.

Beyond weaponized roles, Virtus excels in special operations, ISR, search and rescue, firefighting, humanitarian aid, CASEVAC/MEDEVAC and light air assault missions. With seating for up to eight troops plus two pilots and advanced sensor integration, Virtus is ready for any mission profile.

Looking ahead, Davenport Aviation plans to integrate Virtus with ACUS (Airborne Counter Unmanned Aircraft Systems) to field a purpose-built drone "hunter-killer" platform, pairing Virtus’ modular weapon and sensor mounts with ACUS detection and mitigation systems to locate, track, and, when authorized and lawful, engage hostile unmanned threats.

Modular by Design

Virtus is the world’s first modular weapon system for the H125/AS350, allowing operators to upgrade their existing fleets without purchasing new aircraft. The system’s flexible mounting architecture is compatible with AS350B2 models and newer, transforming standard airframes into fully mission-ready platforms. This retrofit capability ensures that agencies can enhance operational capability, expand mission versatility, and maximize their existing investments—all with minimal downtime and without the need for a dedicated weapons platform.

Proven Platform, Enhanced Capability

With over 40 million flight hours worldwide and the distinction of being the only helicopter to land on Mount Everest, the AS350 family is the most trusted single-engine helicopter platform in history. Virtus builds on that legacy with integrated mission systems, multiple radio options, hoist and cargo capabilities, ballistic protection, and crewed-uncrewed teaming (CUC-T).

“In today’s turbulent world, our customers require a single helicopter type that is truly multi-mission capable,” said Chris Arnold, Director of Government Sales at Davenport Aviation. “With Virtus, we are harnessing the capability of the H125, bringing an armed reconnaissance solution that surpasses any single-engine helicopter on the market. We are proud to offer an American-built, U.S.-militarized H125 to our global allies and partners.”

Why Virtus

Operators worldwide face increasing pressure to do more with less. Many fleets still rely on aging, maintenance-heavy aircraft that struggle to meet evolving mission demands. At the same time, budgets often cannot support multiple dedicated platforms for varied mission profiles.

Virtus directly addresses this challenge by offering a single aircraft solution capable of executing a broad range of missions. By minimizing the total number of aircraft needed, Virtus reduces not only procurement costs, but also personnel requirements, training expenses, and logistics support. The result is a cost-effective, mission-ready platform that provides agencies with unmatched flexibility and efficiency.