Airbus unveils pilotless helicopter European manufacturer Airbus revealed on Tuesday (9) a helicopter model capable of flying without the presence of a pilot. According to the company, the inaugural flight is scheduled for the end of 2026 and entry into operation could happen at the beginning of the next decade. Named U145, the full-size prototype of the helicopter was released by the company during the ILA Berlin aerospace fair. It will use sensors and artificial intelligence to complete flights on its own. The new model is based on the Airbus H145, which has more than 1,800 units in operation and more than 8.5 million flight hours. The new aircraft was designed for civil and military purposes, with a focus on transporting large volumes. The first test flight will have a safety pilot on board who will be able to take action if something does not go as planned. But in the future, the U145 won't even have a control panel. Airbus revealed prototype of the U145, a helicopter designed to fly without a pilot Disclosure/Airbus Plane with longest route in the world completes first test flight Website tracks super-rich jets to 'predict the apocalypse' The aircraft will have a front loading door, as well as a folding table and floor designed to support large loads. According to the manufacturer, the U145 can be used to support disaster management, firefighting, armed reconnaissance and surveillance, in addition to acting as a "mother aircraft" in missions launching other flight devices. "To develop the U145 and its capabilities as a multi-mission UAS [unmanned aircraft system], we will join forces with leading experts in autonomous technology to further expand this ecosystem in Europe," said Airbus Helicopters CEO Matthieu Louvot. This is the second unmanned helicopter created by the company based on a manned version. The first was the VSR700, based on the Cabri G2. The H145 is an aircraft with space for eight passengers, capable of flights of up to 3h35 and distances of up to 650 km with just one tank. Airbus has not revealed whether the autonomy specifications remain for the new U145.