What we do
Airbus Helicopters in the U.S. has been serving customers for over 55 years. With a production line in Columbus, Mississippi, and over 1,000 dedicated employees, it supports around 600 customers and over 2,600 aircraft in North America. Holding more than 50% of the civil & parapublic market, Airbus Helicopters in the United States leads in major mission segments by offering versatile, high-performance aircraft. Additionally, it provides top-notch training, customer support and technical assistance throughout the region.
Sites and capabilities
At a glance
Civil operations
Airbus Helicopters provides advanced solutions for civil & parapublic operations, including air medical services, law enforcement, utility, tourism, aerial work, and private & business aviation. With a strong presence in the United States, Airbus delivers reliable, high-performance helicopters tailored to meet the diverse needs of civilian operators.
Emergency Medical Services
Airbus Helicopters is a leading provider for Emergency Medical Services (EMS) in the United States, ensuring rapid and efficient patient transport. With a fleet of over 750 helicopters, including trusted models like the H125, H130, H135, H145, and H160, Airbus plays a vital role in lifesaving missions and critical care. Those helicopters are relied upon by air medical operators nationwide, significantly improving emergency response and patient outcomes.
Law enforcement & public services
In the United States, Airbus Helicopters serves as the backbone of aerial public safety operations. From urban surveillance to high-altitude search and rescue, our aircraft are trusted by agencies nationwide to perform when seconds count. The H125, H135, H145, and H160 are the preferred choices for law enforcement operators, offering the reliability, versatility, and advanced technology required to keep communities safe.
Commercial utility operations
Commercial utility operators in the United States, with a fleet of over 550 helicopters, perform missions such as infrastructure construction, powerline maintenance, agricultural duties, cargo transport, tourism, taxi, and more. Airbus Helicopters provides the best solutions, with the H125, H130, H135 and H145 enhancing safety and efficiency for industries that rely on aerial solutions.
Aerial firefighting solutions
Combating wildfires requires both coordination and power. The Flexrotor unmanned aerial system provides firefighters with invaluable live surveillance, tracking fire progress and exposing active hotspots to optimize response. Paired with our proven helicopters - spanning the H125, H135, H145, and H225 - Airbus delivers rapid, high-volume water suppression. This manned and unmanned teaming (HTeaming) ensures ultimate precision in the most critical environments.
Private & business aviation
Airbus Corporate Helicopters (ACH) offers a fleet that embodies the height of luxury and sophistication, perfectly suited for every journey from executive transport to exclusive private travel and serene weekend getaways. This refined selection includes the ACH125, ACH130, ACH135, ACH145, ACH160, and ACH175, enabling owners to transition effortlessly between demanding business needs and tranquil leisure escapes.
Military operations
Airbus is a dedicated mission partner to the U.S. Armed Forces, delivering versatile aircraft for pilot training, tactical defense, and search and rescue. Our fleet provides the unmatched reliability and precision required to support our nation’s defenders in the most demanding environments.
UH-72 Lakota: The foundation of U.S. Army aviation
The UH-72 Lakota is a major partner of the U.S. Army Aviation. As the primary trainer for 100% of Army aviators, the fleet has surpassed 1.5 million flight hours with the safest record in service history. Proudly built in Columbus, MS, by a veteran-led workforce, the Lakota also supports the National Guard in all 50 states for search and rescue and disaster relief. It is a proven partner in American military readiness and homeland security.
AH-125 & MH-125 Ares: The platform for tactical missions
The AH-125 and MH-125 Ares are engineered for the toughest rotary-wing missions. These aircraft leverage the proven H125 platform to deliver best-in-class performance and cost-effectiveness. Whether providing armed reconnaissance or multi-role support, the Ares offers U.S. military and international partners a versatile, high-altitude solution. It is designed for maximum impact in demanding environments, ensuring mission success where it matters most.
U.S. Coast Guard: 40 Years of "always ready"
For four decades, the MH-65 Dolphin has been the icon of U.S. Coast Guard aviation. With a legacy of over 26,000 lives saved, this fleet is the heartbeat of American search and rescue. Airbus is committed to supporting this vital asset through 2037, ensuring that Coast Guard crews remain prepared for the most demanding maritime missions. Our partnership proves that when the call for help comes, we are ready for the mission.
Support & Services
Customer care
Airbus Helicopters in the U.S., located in the Dallas-Fort Worth Metroplex, is the Support & Services Center of Excellence. It offers Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) services to minimize rotorcraft downtime. The center provides Dynamic Component Repair (DCR) with a state-of-the-art test bench and blade repair.
At the same location in Texas, the Airbus Helicopters Training Academy trains over 1,500 pilots and technicians annually, ensuring top safety and proficiency standards.
Frequently asked questions (FAQ)
Where are Airbus helicopters manufactured in the United States?
Our primary manufacturing facility is located in Columbus, Mississippi. This Center of Excellence has produced over 1,800 aircraft, including the H125, the UH-72 Lakota, and the H145.
What types of operations does the Airbus fleet support in the United States?
With over 2,600 aircraft in service for more than 600 customers, our fleet supports the full spectrum of American rotary-wing aviation. This includes high-stake Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Law Enforcement, Firefighting, Search and Rescue, Tourism, Utility, Aerial Work, Private, Business and critical Military Training missions.
What Airbus helicopter models are available and operated in the United States?
Airbus provides a complete range of helicopters for the U.S. market, supporting civil, parapublic, and military operators with aircraft tailored to every mission requirement:
- Single-engine helicopters: The H125 (the U.S. industry standard for Law Enforcement and Commercial Utility) and the H130 (optimized for Air Medical and Tourism).
- Light and Intermediate twin-engine helicopters: The H135, H140, and H145 families, leading the U.S. Emergency Medical Services (EMS) and corporate sectors. This class also includes the U.S. Army’s primary trainer, the UH-72 Lakota (built in Mississippi), and the AH/MH-125 Ares.
- Medium and Super Medium helicopters: The advanced H160, offering next-generation safety for Business Aviation, Emergency Medical Services (EMS), Public Services and offshore transport, and the H175, designed for long-range energy and search-and-rescue (SAR) missions. This class also includes the MH-65 Dolphin operated by the U.S. Coast Guard for maritime rescue
- Heavy helicopters: The Super Puma family (H215, H225), delivering massive payload capacity for aerial firefighting and disaster relief.
What is the scale of training provided at the Airbus Helicopters North America Training Academy?
More than 15,000 hours of pilot and technical training are offered annually by the Airbus Helicopters training academy in Grand Prairie, Texas, covering programs for the H125, H135, H145, and H160.
How is the Airbus helicopter fleet supported in North America?
Fleet support is managed through an extensive network of service centers and a major logistics hub at DFW Airport. Regional capabilities include 24/7 technical assistance, Maintenance, Repair and Overhaul (MRO) ensuring aircraft remain mission-ready for operators across the United States and Canada.
What are the key specifications and endurance of the Airbus Flexrotor?
The Airbus Flexrotor is a small tactical Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) unmanned aerial system (UAS). It features a maximum takeoff weight of 25 kg (55 lbs) and can carry a maximum payload of 8 kg (18 lbs). Designed for a wide variety of missions, it boasts an impressive endurance of up to 14 hours in a typical operational configuration, with a dash speed of 140 km/h (77 kts).
The latest from Airbus Helicopters in U.S.
in the spotlight
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Verticon 2026
Event
Airbus presented its Flexrotor UAS and a number of mission-ready helicopters at Verticon 2026 in Atlanta, highlighting support for vital missions.Atlanta
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Finding purpose after the military
Web Story
Helicopters
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Preserving MRO expertise in the age of technology
Web Story
Helicopters
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Inside Airbus Helicopters' evolving North American Blade Repair Hub
Web Story
Helicopters
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New York State Police orders Airbus H160 and three H145 helicopters
Press Release
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