Airbus AH125M and MH125M

[RavenOne]

Its the annual Quad-A Army Aviation Association of America exhibition in Nashville and Airbus Helicopters Inc are promoting their locally assembled and produced AH125M and MH125M Ares.

https://www.airbus.com/en/newsroom/press-releases/2023-04-airbus-helicopters-introduces-first-american-made-military-versions

Over the last 3 decades there are armed versions of the AS350 / H125 family known as Fennec in service with many a nation. It was 4 years ago at Paris Air Show 2019, I saw H125 with Hforce weapons management system and various bits and pieces so here are my pics below

cheers

 

[yasotay]

Airbus joins the pantheon of light rotorcraft that the US government will buy for foreign countries.

 

[TomS]

Airbus joins the pantheon of light rotorcraft that the US government will buy for foreign countries.

Any chance that this will become Little Bird v2.0?

 

[RavenOne]

Airbus joins the pantheon of light rotorcraft that the US government will buy for foreign countries.

Any chance that this will become Little Bird v2.0?

Interesting point

cheers

 

[yasotay]

Airbus joins the pantheon of light rotorcraft that the US government will buy for foreign countries.

Any chance that this will become Little Bird v2.0?

Interesting point

cheers

I suspect that it depends on the contract vehicle. MD Helicopter sells US Special Ops a very basic aircraft that goes to a secondary vendor who cuts it up and puts all of the "bits and bobs" on them to make them special. If Airbus can beat the knock off price MD is willing to sell at and agree to let US SOF to do as they please, it could happen. However, ITAR requirements are very specific and demanding, which is why it is hard for foreign owned companies to compete for government contracts.

 

[TomcatViP]

But what's the footprint, rotorwise? FARA pretty much cover it also.

 

[yasotay]

I suspect what SOF wants is more range. The Little Bird is only used for urban ops now to my knowledge. Problem with FARA is that what the big Army wants and what SOF wants defy physics. Big Army, it appears, finally put their foot down and told SOF "tough luck". So a small rotor system like the Little Bird, more range and lifting power is likely the main desires.