Airbus completes tactical flight trial with Spanish Navy in Spain

Airbus Helicopters and the Spanish Navy completed a tactical flight trial in Rota, Spain, integrating an offshore patrol vessel with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and two uncrewed aerial systems, according to a company statement.

The exercise used Airbus Group's (OTC: EADSY) Flexrotor drone and Alpha Unmanned Systems' A900 through the HTeaming solution. The trial validated real-time drone control and imagery sharing between uncrewed systems, helicopters, and naval vessels.

Both uncrewed platforms performed takeoffs and landings from the moving vessel during the trials. A pilot inside the H135 managed the drones using the HTeaming tablet, which integrated the Alpha Unmanned Systems A900.

The demonstration simulated a high-speed boat chase during a maritime operation, where the Flexrotor and Alpha 900 tracked a target and transmitted live footage to the helicopter and ship. Data was integrated into NAIAD, Navantia's tactical integration system for unmanned vehicles, enabling operation within SCOMBA, the Spanish Navy's combat management system developed by Navantia.

"Airbus Helicopters is committed to exploring new frontiers in crewed-uncrewed teaming that brings real added value to customers," said Fernando Lombo, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Spain.

The H135 crew controlled the uncrewed platforms using the HTeaming tablet, Airbus Helicopters' modular crewed-uncrewed teaming solution. The system allows crews to control unmanned aircraft during flight and integrate uncrewed sensors into operations. Data from the unmanned systems was processed through the Helicopter Integrated Tactical System, a tactical console developed by Airbus that served as a bridge to the vessel.

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