Army

The new SARSearch and Rescue helicopter

The air rescue teams of the Bundeswehr search and rescue service can use their helicopter to provide air assistance in different types of emergency situation. They will now receive a new workhorse, the light support helicopter. Learn more about our new technology and the crew.

The light support helicopter in low-altitude flight over open terrain

New capabilities for SARSearch and Rescue

Round the clock and 365 days a year, personnel of the Bundeswehr search and rescue service stand by to render aid. The helicopter crews have shown their commitment for 60 years now, flying rescue operations for people in distress. For this challenging and risky task, they will now be receiving a new helicopter. The light support helicopter, which is based on the Airbus H145, will gradually replace the Bell UH-1D. The new helicopter is produced at Airbus Germany in Donauwörth.

Flying the new helicopter

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For almost 50 years, the light multipurpose helicopter Bell UH-1D has been the flight system on which the Bundeswehr’s search and rescue elements rely. The new aircraft for the search and rescue (SARSearch and Rescue) service is called the LUH (light utility …
A man is standing in front of the new SAR helicopter.
30 Transport Helicopter Regiment, pilot, Captain Harald Seidler Bundeswehr/Sergej Jarosch
"I am transitioning from the UH-1D, which has a lot of analogue display instruments, to the H145 – digital cockpit, autopilot. I look forward to the training.”

Images of the new SARSearch and Rescue helicopter

  • A light support helicopter LUH SAR is on the ground and ready for take-off.

    The new helicopter for the Bundeswehr search and rescue service is already prepared for take-off.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur
  • A helicopter on the ground being prepared for take-off by its crew.

    The LUH SARSearch and Rescue will relieve the SARSearch and Rescue service’s tried-and-true workhorse helicopter, the Bell UH-1D, after almost 50 years of service.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur
  • Before the pilots are allowed to fly the helicopter, they must be trained to handle the new equipment.

    Before the pilots are allowed to fly the helicopter, they must be trained to handle the new equipment.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur
  • A new SAR helicopter on the Airbus shop floor in Donauwörth during final assembly.

    Blue letters on bright orange: The fuselage of the aircraft is emblazoned with the traditional markings of the search and rescue service.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur
  • A view of the cockpit and the digital instruments in the interior of the new helicopter.

    No more analogue displays: The cockpit of the LUH SARSearch and Rescue is digital.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur
  • Six soldiers in flight suits stand in front of a fuselage of the new helicopter model on the shop floor.

    The force is already awaiting its new workhorse. The women and men of 30 Helicopter Regiment inspect the production process on the shop floors in Donauwörth.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur
  • A soldier uses a pen to sign the fuselage of the first aircraft.

    Aircraft christening: The soldiers give their endorsements by signing the fuselage of the first aircraft.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur
  • A LUH SAR helicopter flies over a field at low altitude.

    The LUH SARSearch and Rescue is based on the state-of-the-art Airbus H145 helicopter.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur
  • Two soldiers stand in front of the unfinished fuselage of an LUH SAR aircraft.

    The deputy division commander and Director of Army Flight Operations, Colonel (GSGesetzliche Schutzaufgaben) Andreas Pfeifer, and the commander of 30 Helicopter Regiment, Colonel Peter Heinrich Göhringer, inspect production of the first aircraft.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur
  • A helicopter parked on the apron in front of the Airbus plant buildings in Donauwörth.

    On 10 December 2019, the aircraft will make its debut in front of the Airbus plant buildings. Here, it will be handed over to the Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and Infrastructure and then to the force.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur
  • A rescue helicopter in flight under clear blue skies

    Thanks to modern technology, the H145 is particularly stable in flight.

    Photostrie - Die Bildermanufaktur