Airbus Helicopters has completed the first round of firing tests of its new HForce generic weapon system using an H225M rotorcraft.

Designed around a core Rockwell Collins Deutschland mission management system and also featuring the Thales Scorpion helmet-mounted display and an L-3 Wescam electro-optical/infrared sensor, the system has been in development for two years.

Initial firing trials were conducted from 25 May to 3 June on a range in Belgium using ballistic weapons, including 12.7mm machine guns, 70mm rockets and a 20mm cannon, it says.

Airbus Helicopters

HForce is intended as a plug and play system for three of the manufacturer’s helicopters – the light single H125M, H145M medium twin and the heavy H225M.

The common mission system will allow operators to order the helicopter in a baseline configuration without weapons, yet still retain the ability to easily upgrade them.

Airbus Helicopters has previously indicated it would also complete the integration of guided weapons by year-end.

Qualification testing is due to be completed by end-2017.

Source: FlightGlobal.com