Unified Cooperation: The Emerging Era of Human-Automated Partnerships
Airbus Helicopters, a leading name in the aviation industry, is making significant strides in the realm of Unmanned Aerial Systems (UAS). The company's current strategy focuses on enhancing multi-mission capabilities, promoting interoperability with manned platforms, and fostering collaborative operations through crewed-uncrewed teaming.
The development of the VSR700, one of Airbus Helicopters' own UAS products, has been instrumental in this pursuit. This drone, acquired along with an American company that manufactures the Flexrotor, complements the VSR700 on the tactical range and opens new opportunities for interoperability with many assets of Airbus Helicopters' current helicopter range.
Airbus Helicopters is also considering the deployment of drone swarming capabilities, allowing drones to interact with each other, transfer data, analyze it, and adapt their mission independently. This could revolutionize military operations by enabling drones to perform various missions such as strike, attack, logistics, and reconnaissance.
The 'Musher' project, a part of the European Defence Fund, aims to build manned-unmanned teaming capabilities for a future European combat air system. The first part of this project is scheduled for October 2024. The objective of Musher is to increase and optimize cooperation between the European Union's armed forces, especially around interoperability of their assets.
In line with this, Airbus Helicopters has demonstrated the integration of a full UAS system in an intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) configuration on an operational French Navy vessel at sea. This demonstrates the company's commitment to advancing UAS technology for military applications.
Airbus Helicopters has also developed specific 'unmanned' technobricks that can be used for other programs, such as an optionally piloted vehicle (OPV). These technobricks, along with partnerships and technology integration programs, are key to Airbus Helicopters' UAS strategy.
The company has acquired critical UAS competencies and integrated key stakeholders into its network, including Hélicoptères Guimbal, Diades Marine, and Naval Group. These collaborations are essential for Airbus Helicopters' UAS strategy, particularly in the areas of sensor fusion, secure communication links, and standardized interfaces.
Airbus Defence and Space has provided technologies such as the ground station for the VSR700 prototype and the deck finder system for maritime operations. These collaborations underscore the importance of collaboration within Airbus for advancing UAS technology.
Airbus Helicopters aims to propose concrete interoperability capabilities around 2027. The company is also growing its drone business in the tactical domain by extending and growing its range of products and services, and by considering merging and acquisition opportunities.
In conclusion, Airbus Helicopters is pursuing a comprehensive UAS strategy that integrates unmanned platforms as mission multipliers alongside manned helicopters, enhancing mission flexibility and operational synergy through advanced autonomy, communication suites like HTeaming, and multi-domain collaboration with military partners. This approach is set to revolutionize military operations in the near future.
[1] Airbus Helicopters (2021). Airbus Helicopters' UAS Strategy. [Online] Available at: https://www.airbushelicopters.com/en/newsroom/news/2021-04-15-airbus-helicopters-uas-strategy
[2] European Defence Fund (2021). Musher Project. [Online] Available at: https://www.eda.europa.eu/defence-fund/projects/musher-project_en
[3] Parry Labs (2021). Airbus US Space & Defense Partnership. [Online] Available at: https://parrylabs.com/airbus-us-space-defense-partnership/
