Eurocopter EC145

EC145
H145
A EC145 from the Stanford Medical Center
General information
TypeLight utility helicopter
National originMultinational
ManufacturerEurocopter / Kawasaki Aerospace Company
Airbus Helicopters
StatusIn service
Number built1,600 (June 2023)[1]
History
Manufactured1999–present
Introduction date2002
First flight12 June 1999
Developed fromMBB/Kawasaki BK 117
VariantsEurocopter UH-72 Lakota

The Airbus Helicopters H145 (formerly Eurocopter EC145) is a twin-engine light utility helicopter developed and manufactured by Airbus Helicopters. Originally designated as the BK 117, the H145 is based upon the MBB/Kawasaki BK 117 C1, which became a part of the combined Eurocopter line-up in 1992 with the merger of Messerschmitt-Bölkow-Blohm's helicopter division of Daimler-Benz into Eurocopter. The helicopter was initially named EC145; an updated version, EC145 T2, was renamed H145 in 2015. The helicopter was significantly updated in the 2020s with first a fenestron replacing the traditional tail rotor, followed later by a 5-blade main rotor head.

The H145 is a twin-engine aircraft and can carry up to nine passengers along with two crew, depending on customer configuration. The helicopter is marketed for passenger transport, corporate transport, emergency medical services (EMS), search and rescue, parapublic and utility roles.

Military variants of the helicopter have also been produced under various designations, such as H145M or UH-72, and have been used for training, logistics, medical evacuation, reconnaissance, light attack, and troop-transport operations. Noted military users in terms of numbers include the United States which operates nearly 500 with National Guard, and Germany where it is used for SAR, Special Operations, and more.

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