Airbus Helicopters has announced the introduction of its first U.S.-manufactured AH-125 and MH-125 Ares military helicopter configurations, expanding the company’s range of military rotorcraft. These combat-ready helicopters are designed to fulfill the requirements of military and parapublic partners worldwide.
The AH-125 Ares will serve as the armed variant, while the MH-125 Ares will function as a versatile multi-role helicopter capable of executing a wide array of operations. These new additions complement Airbus’ comprehensive lineup of military helicopters, including the H125M.
Scott Tumpak, Vice President of Military Line of Business for Airbus U.S. Space and Defense, remarked that «The AH-125 and MH-125 Ares helicopters will provide the capability, reliability, and flexibility needed by America’s allies and partners for various rotary wing missions, from light attack to disaster response and other parapublic operations.» He also highlighted that these latest iterations of Airbus’ H125 family will be produced at the Airbus Helicopters, Inc. facility in Columbus, Mississippi.
Accounting for nearly 80% of the global single-engine market, the H125 family boasts the most certified modifications (supplemental type certificates) available. With the recent incorporation of flexible weapons capabilities, the H125 can be swiftly re-configured between diverse mission sets in under 30 minutes, encompassing light attack, air assault, search and rescue, casualty evacuation, disaster response, and other combat and parapublic operations.
MAG Aerospace will be responsible for the weapons installation design, engineering, certification, and manufacturing. The helicopters will be compatible with a wide array of weaponry, including .50 caliber (12.7 mm) guns, unguided rockets, and precision-guided weapons as a future option. The installation permits doors-on flight throughout the mission.
Matt Bartlett, President of MAG Aerospace, expressed excitement about collaborating with Airbus and expanding their services to partners in the U.S. and globally.
The H125, a top-selling helicopter worldwide, has a long-standing history of use by U.S. law enforcement and government agencies. Presently, the H125 serves as the primary light enforcement helicopter for U.S. Customs and Border Protection, with over 100 H125 family aircraft in service, making the U.S. government the largest customer and operator of the aircraft.
Airbus supplies an array of reliable and adaptable helicopters to the U.S. government and military for a wide variety of missions. Since 2006, over 480 UH-72A and UH-72B Lakota helicopters have been delivered to the U.S. Army and National Guard. Additionally, Airbus continues to support the U.S. Coast Guard’s fleet of nearly 100 MH-65 helicopters, playing a crucial role in homeland security, drug interdiction, and lifesaving missions.
