QinetiQ Certifies H145 Helicopters for Rapid Overseas Deployment

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QinetiQ has completed a fast-tracked testing programme to certify the Airbus H145 D3 helicopters, known to the UK military as the Jupiter HC Mk2, for immediate operational use by the Ministry of Defence. The clearance enables six aircraft to be rapidly deployed to British forces stationed in Brunei and Cyprus.

The Air Engineering Services team at QinetiQ conducted several hours of flight trials and a series of ground tests over a concentrated four-week period during May and early June. These trials confirmed the helicopters’ suitability for key military tasks, including medical evacuation (day and night), troop transport, logistics, surveillance, and aerial firefighting. The tests included stretcher loading, winch operations, and low-light manoeuvrability assessments.

The project was delivered under the MOD’s Engineering Delivery Partner Mode 3 contract, working alongside the Multi Helicopter Platform Delivery Team at Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S). The evaluations were supported by joint civil and military personnel and used facilities at MOD Boscombe Down, such as the Night Vision Systems Test House and Aviation Engineering Centre.

The certification clears the way for the H145 fleet to begin service in forward-operating locations where flexibility, safety, and rapid response are crucial. The aircraft’s light footprint and multi-role capacity align with the MOD’s wider strategy to modernise rotary-wing support while maintaining cost-efficiency and operational reliability.

QinetiQ, a UK-based defence and security company, played a central role in bringing the helicopters into service through its long-standing agreement with the MOD. The firm is responsible for delivering test, evaluation, and assurance services across a broad range of air and land systems. This includes adapting platforms for operational requirements under tight timelines.

Officials from DE&S and QinetiQ welcomed the speed and rigour of the project. They noted that critical systems, such as those enabling aerial firefighting, were designed, installed, and tested within the accelerated schedule, ensuring the aircraft are fully equipped for deployment.

The clearance of the H145 helicopters reinforces the UK’s capacity to project flexible, air-mobile support to overseas forces. With certification now complete, the aircraft will be made available to deployed units, offering reliable capabilities across troop transport, emergency response, and logistics in challenging environments.