Airbus is simplifying its tactical unmanned air system offerings

• Airbus has streamlined its small and medium-sized tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS) from Survey Copter, Aliaca and Capa-X, into one comprehensive portfolio that will be managed by the Airbus Helicopters division.
• The aim is to deliver a focused market approach to defense and security customers across the Helicopter, Defense and Space divisions.

“By integrating Aliaca and Capa-X into our drone portfolio, we are building a cohesive family of products and strengthening Airbus’ position as a market leader in the tactical drone segment,” said Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters. He added: “With this step, we are creating a center of excellence that integrates a comprehensive and integrated set of unmanned aerial systems and facilitates synergy between the teams working on developing and supporting them. It will also accelerate cooperation between drones and helicopters thanks to our HTeaming solution.”

Unmanned aerial systems provide essential real-time capabilities for various missions. It provides high-precision ISTAR (Intelligence, Surveillance, Target Acquisition and Reconnaissance) and long-range ISR (Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance) sensing, benefiting navies and expeditionary forces while also supporting target identification on the battlefield. Drones can also support semi-public missions where surveillance is required such as firefighting and law enforcement.

Survey Copter, based in Pierrelatte, southern France, has been designing, producing and maintaining light tactical UAV systems since 1996. The company specializes in light UAS systems for both civilian and military applications, and has sold more than 300 UAVs to domestic and international customers since its inception.

Airbus Helicopters now offers a variety of tactical drones designed to meet the evolving needs of modern defence. Aliaca is a 25kg drone that can carry up to 3kg of equipment for 6 hours, making it a powerful imaging tool that enhances reconnaissance and decision-making. The Flexrotor is a 25kg UAS that can carry up to 8kg of equipment for 10 to 12 hours making it ideal for long-endurance missions. For ultimate flexibility, the Capa-X is a 120kg drone that can carry up to 20kg of equipment making it a highly adaptable system that can be modified to suit different missions and terrain. The VSR700 is a 750kg multi-role drone with a conservative design, specifically developed for challenging maritime, shipping and combat roles. This family of unmanned systems provides customers with advanced surveillance and intelligence capabilities and operational flexibility.

Complementing this consolidated portfolio of small and medium UAVs, Airbus continues to develop and deliver a wide range of multi-mission UAV technologies and services as part of the Defense and Space division, building on its expertise in air power solutions. Starting with Eurodrone, the new generation of large, long-endurance remotely piloted aircraft system designed to enhance European defense and strategic sovereignty; Advanced tactical UAS SIRTAP systems, for day and night intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR) missions over land and sea; Zephyr High Altitude Platform (HAPS) stratospheric solar and electric station for aerial target drones.

Airbus has also developed unmanned team solutions that allow aircrews and helicopters to fully control drones in flight. Unmanned staffing provides additional mission capabilities by extending the range of sensors beyond the aircraft’s line of sight, reserving them for essential tasks that only they can perform.

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