Airbus Tasked to Devise New Drones
Airbus Helicopters will research and develop an unmanned aircraft for deployment in various missions under a new contract from the European Defence Agency for its Multi Mission Unmanned Aircraft System (M2UAS) project. The estimated €1.1 million ($1.3 million) assignment will have a 48-month schedule, and will proceed from Airbus’s ongoing Capa-X uncrewed aerial system for civilian and military use.
Through M2UAS, the EDA is seeking to reduce its reliance on non-EU suppliers for drone systems that are cost-effective and adaptable for high-intensity warfare. Airbus stated its developments through the M2UAS project will contribute to defining new drone architectures capable of performing a wide range of missions, such as surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, aerial effects deployment, and automated in-flight refueling.
“This selection is a major recognition of our expertise in tactical drone systems and reflects our commitment to supporting the development of innovative European defense capabilities,” stated Christophe Canguilhem, director of the Capa-X program at Airbus Helicopters.
The M2UAS project aims to build upon the current 120-kg Capa-X drone to improve its performance, efficiency, and adaptability for future military use. The system is designed to be highly modular, and easily reconfigured for surveillance, electronic warfare, aerial effects deployment, and automated inflight refueling.
The base model Capa-X has a 10-hour endurance and a 100-km data link range, with a 20-kg payload capacity.
The first, 12-month phase of the project will focus on analyzing current and future military operational needs, assessing technological challenges, and identifying associated avenues for development. This work will help guide and optimize the various technological choices, aiming to enhance Capa-X's versatility, efficiency, and multi-mission potential.
Ultimately, the M2UAS project will contribute to the definition of new drone architectures capable of performing a wide range of missions, such as surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, aerial effects deployment, and automated in-flight refueling, thereby strengthening European capabilities in the field of uncrewed aerial systems.