Airbus Helicopters has successfully conducted the first test firings of an HForce weapon system from a H145M light utility helicopter.
The ballistic development test of the weapon system was carried out at Pápa Airbase in Hungary.
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Airbus Helicopters H145 programme head Axel Humpert said: “This is an important milestone towards the qualification of HForce on the H145M, which is planned for end-2018.
“The positive results of this first ballistic development test are the outcome of a very good and professional cooperation between all parties involved, especially with the Hungarian Ministry of Defence.”
The HForce features FN Herstal HMP400 guns, Thales FZ231 unguided rockets, Nexter NC621 cannons, Wescam’s MX15 electro-optical targeting system and a helmet-mounted sight display by Thales.
This integrated high-performance weapon system can be easily fitted into Airbus Helicopter’s military platforms such as H125M, H145M, and H225M for military operations where flexibility of mission equipment is a vital criterion.
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By GlobalDataIt meets light attack mission capability requirements of defence agencies and complements their existing fleet of specialised attack helicopters.
The HForce system is expected to achieve qualification by the end of this year, after completing an extensive flight-test campaign carried out on a H225M testbed.
The H145M is a military helicopter based on from the H145, which can be used for armed reconnaissance, ground fire support, anti-tank warfare, escort, tactical transport, MEDEVAC and CASEVAC missions.
More than 80,000 flight hours have been recorded for the entire H145 fleet.
