Airbus demonstrates multi-domain capabilities with Spanish Navy crewed-uncrewed teaming exercise

Airbus Helicopters and the Spanish Navy successfully completed a tactical flight trial earlier this month in Rota, Spain. The exercise integrated the offshore patrol vessel Rayo with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and two different uncrewed aerial systems, the Airbus Flexrotor and Alpha Unmanned Systems' A900 using the HTeaming solution.

The exercise validated the real-time control of the drone and sharing of imagery between uncrewed systems, helicopters, and naval vessels to establish a multi-domain operational link. This capability allows the ship to access critical information from areas far beyond its own sensor range directly at the combat station.

During the trials, both uncrewed platforms performed take-offs and landings from the moving vessel. A pilot inside the H135 managed the drones during flight using the HTeaming tablet, which proved to be agnostic by successfully integrating the Alpha Unmanned Systems' A900. The demonstration consisted of a simulated high-speed boat chase during an ISTAR maritime operation, where the Flexrotor and Alpha 900 tracked the target and transmitted live footage to both the helicopter and the ship. The data was integrated into NAIAD (Naval Advanced Integrated Autonomous Vehicles Defence system), Navantia's tactical integration system for unmanned vehicles, enabling command, control and interoperability of aerial, surface and underwater systems 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 close collaboration between pioneering companies such as Airbus, Navantia, and Alpha Unmanned Systems, combined with the trust of public entities like the Spanish Navy, shows our shared potential to strengthen Europe's role as a sovereign leader in defence. By working together, we are proving that we can deliver the innovative technology necessary to secure a leading position on the global stage."

The H135 crew managed the uncrewed platforms using the HTeaming tablet, Airbus Helicopters' modular crewed-uncrewed teaming solution. This system empowers crews with full control over UAS in flight, allowing for the integration of uncrewed sensors into crewed operations to improve mission efficiency. In parallel, data from the UAS was processed through the Helicopter Integrated Tactical System, a tactical console developed by Airbus that acted as a bridge to the vessel. This ensured the information was compatible with the NAIAD/SCOMBA combat system.

Future developments will continue to build on this success by exploring drone swarm technology and further enhancing the integration between air and sea assets, as well as land transport.