Airbus Helicopters ARES (MH-125 / AH-125)

Light Multi-Mission / Attack Helicopter

United States | 2023

"The proposed MH-125 and AH-125 is set to become the first Airbus Helicopter product to be manufactured in the United States."

Image from official Airbus Helicopters marketing materials.

Authored By: Staff Writer | Last Edited: 04/25/2023 | Content ©www.MilitaryFactory.com | The following text is exclusive to this site; No A.I. was used in the generation of this content.

In April 2023, Airbus Helicopters announced two new cost-effective offerings related to the H125 "Fennec" light helicopter line: the MH-125 and the AH-125. Both fall under the new "Ares" name and are built atop the H125 framework - which originated under the Aerospatiale brand label as the AS550. The new helicopters are designed to satisfy different roles with the modern battlefield in mind. While the MH-125 is seen as a "multi-mission" support solution, the AH-125 represents a bolder direct-attack model. Because of the targeted customers base, the new types would be constructed in the United States in Mississippi - giving it access to a Western-aligned operators to go along with streamlined foreign military sales approval.

The MH-125 and AH-125 are designed to coexist with the in-service H125M militarized model already offered by Airbus Helicopters.

The special-forces / special-missions AH-125 is set to have the traditional light-attack helicopter weapon arrangement of 12.7mm heavy machine gun pod and unguided rocket pod with promised support for guided ordnance options (most likely the Hellfire ATGM). The weapons component of the system is set to be handled by MAG Aerospace. Internally, the helicopter will have seating for four operatives (to include the pilot) with optional placement of four additional operatives externally.

Beyond this, the light helicopter is slated to support airborne rappelling and can be outfitted for the Search and Rescue (SAR) role as needed.

By and large, the helicopter retains the original's external form and overall performance / function. The MH-125 is pictured with all of its doors removed for enhanced crew / passenger visibility and speedy entry-exit. The helicopter will operate with a single-engine layout driving a three-bladed main rotor unit and a starboard tail rotor unit. The undercarriage is of the fixed skid, lowing operating / maintenance costs and adding simplicity to design.

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Power & Performance
Those special qualities that separate one aircraft design from another. Performance specifications presented assume optimal operating conditions for the Airbus Helicopters MH-125 Light Multi-Mission / Attack Helicopter.

1 x Turboshaft engine of unknown make, model, and output power driving three-bladed main rotor unit and three-bladed tail rotor unit.
Propulsion

177 mph
285 kph | 154 kts
Max Speed

15,092 ft
4,600 m | 3 miles
Service Ceiling

413 miles
665 km | 359 nm
Operational Range

1,675 ft/min
511 m/min
Rate-of-Climb

Structure
The nose-to-tail, wingtip-to-wingtip physical qualities of the Airbus Helicopters MH-125 Light Multi-Mission / Attack Helicopter.

1
(MANNED)
Crew

35.9 ft
10.95 m
O/A Length

35.1 ft
(10.70 m)
O/A Width

10.3 ft
(3.15 m)
O/A Height

2,590 lb
(1,175 kg)
Empty Weight

4,971 lb
(2,255 kg)
MTOW

Armament
Available supported armament and special-mission equipment featured in the design of the Airbus Helicopters ARES (MH-125 / AH-125) Light Multi-Mission / Attack Helicopter provided across 2 hardpoints.

1 x 12.7mm heavy machine gun pod.
1 x Unguided rocket pod.

Stated support for guided ordnance as well, presumably Anti-Tank Guided Missiles (ATGMs) like the American "Hellfire".

X

Hardpoints Key:

Centerline

Wingroot(L)

Wingroot(R)

Wing

Wingtip

Internal

Not Used

Variants
Notable series variants as part of the Airbus Helicopters ARES (MH-125 / AH-125) family line.

Ares - Base Series Name.

AH-125 - Direct-attack variant.

MH-125 - Multi-mission, SPECOPS variant.

Operators
Global customers who have evaluated and/or operated the Airbus Helicopters ARES (MH-125 / AH-125). Nations are displayed by flag, each linked to their respective national aircraft listing.

Total Production: 10 Units
Contractor(s): Airbus Helicopters - France / USA

[ None. ]

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Image of the Airbus Helicopters ARES (MH-125 / AH-125)

Image from official Airbus Helicopters marketing materials.

Similar
Developments of similar form-and-function, or related, to the Airbus Helicopters ARES (MH-125 / AH-125) Light Multi-Mission / Attack Helicopter.

Airbus H125

Going Further...
The Airbus Helicopters ARES (MH-125 / AH-125) Light Multi-Mission / Attack Helicopter appears in the following collections:

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