Helsing has revealed CA-1 Europa, an autonomous uncrewed combat aerial vehicle designed to provide Europe with scalable air combat capability. A full-size design study of the aircraft was presented at Grob Aircraft, a Helsing subsidiary, where development and testing is taking place. The production version is expected to be operational in the next four years.

The programme combines Helsing’s Centaur autonomy stack with Grob’s design and manufacturing expertise in the three-to-five tons-class. Centaur, an AI-based fighter jet pilot, was earlier demonstrated on Saab’s Gripen. Helsing is working with partners across the European aerospace sector to ensure the aircraft can be mass-produced while relying on a resilient European supply chain.

Configured as a high-subsonic, multi-role jet, CA-1 Europa can operate alone or as part of a swarm. It will integrate sensors, self-protection systems and mission effectors while being natively controllable by Helsing’s Centaur AI. Helsing is also delivering a Command-and-Control system for planning, controlling and monitoring assets during complex missions. The aircraft will be suitable for roles including deep precision strike.

Helsing co-founder and co-CEO Torsten Reil says: “Uncrewed fighter jets will become a key capability for establishing air dominance and keeping us safe. Europe cannot afford to fall behind in this category or become dependent on third parties. With CA-1 Europa, we will make sure this does not happen.”

Helsing’s senior director air domain Stephanie Lingemann adds: “The future of combat air is in attritable systems, with software and intelligence as a key enabling technology. As a consequence, the CA-1 Europa has autonomy at its core.”

Helsing’s UK managing director Ned Baker says: “With Grob Aircraft, we already supply essential training aircraft to the Royal Air Force. CA-1 Europa will offer the RAF unprecedented combat air capability, an autonomous collaborative platform that can undertake a number of different missions to protect the UK without putting British pilots in harm's way.”