Airbus Helicopters subsidiary Survey Copter has been selected by the European Defence Agency to develop expanded capabilities for the Capa-X drone under the M2UAS project.
MARIGNANE, FRANCE — Airbus Helicopters, through its subsidiary Survey Copter, has been selected by the European Defence Agency (EDA) to participate in the Multi Mission Unmanned Aircraft System (M2UAS) project, a programme intended to expand the operational capabilities of the Capa-X uncrewed aerial system.
The strategic contract forms part of a series of projects spanning 48 months and carries a total budget of approximately €1.1 million. The initiative will focus on the study and development of a hybrid uncrewed aircraft capable of conducting a range of operational missions depending on its configuration and payload.
Christophe Canguilhem, Director of the Capa-X programme at Airbus Helicopters, said the selection reflects confidence in the company’s experience in tactical drone systems and its role in supporting the development of European defence capabilities.
Project scope and development phases
The M2UAS project will build on the existing Capa-X platform with the aim of strengthening and expanding its capabilities. The programme’s first phase will run for 12 months and will concentrate on analysing both current and anticipated military operational requirements.
During this period, the project team will evaluate technological challenges and identify potential development pathways. The findings will guide key technology choices intended to improve the system’s versatility, operational efficiency and overall multi-mission capability.
Expanding mission capabilities
In the longer term, the project is expected to contribute to the definition of new drone architectures capable of performing a wider range of operational tasks. These may include surveillance and reconnaissance missions, electronic warfare operations, deployment of aerial effects, and automated in-flight refuelling.
The work is intended to support the development of broader European capabilities in the field of uncrewed aerial systems.
Capa-X system characteristics
The Capa-X is a 120 kg multi-mission drone designed to support a variety of operational applications. It offers a data link range of 100 km, endurance of up to 10 hours, and the ability to carry payloads of up to 20 kg.
Its modular architecture allows the platform to be adapted to different mission requirements, configurations and regulatory frameworks, making it suitable for use by armed forces as well as civil and public sector operators.
