QinetiQ H145 breaks cover

A new-build Airbus Helicopters H145 twin-engine light utility helicopter, painted in QinetiQ colours, has conducted post-production flight tests at the company’s facility in Donauwörth, Germany.

The aircraft – registration D-HADY – was pictured during a test flight on April 26 and is expected to be delivered to the UK-based multinational defence technology company soon.

 QinetiQ H145 [Mathias Grägel] #1
Mathias Grägel

A QinetiQ spokesperson said: “We are adding the Airbus H145 to our existing fleet of aircraft and expect acceptance testing to be complete by early June."

The company did not comment further on the contract, acquisition numbers or what the aircraft will be doing in service but highlighted that a formal press release will be released in due course.

Airbus Helicopters’ H145 requires two aircrew and can carry up to 10 passengers in its cabin. The aircraft has a top speed of 140kts (162mph or 260km/h) and an operational range of 404 miles (650km). According to the company, “more than 1,350 helicopters [are] in service around the world” and those aircraft have clocked over 5.5 million flight hours.

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