European skies could soon see a new hybrid drone as the European Defence Agency (EDA) taps Survey Copter to study and develop a platform for multi-role missions.
The aircraft will be based on parent company Airbus’ Capa-X unmanned aerial system (UAS) and is intended to support missions such as surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, aerial payload delivery, and automated in-flight refueling.
Developed under the Multi-Mission Unmanned Aircraft System project, the program will run for 48 months with a budget of about 1.1 million euros ($1.2 million).
The first 12 months will focus on assessing current and future operational requirements, evaluating key technologies, and outlining possible development paths.
“This selection is a major recognition of our expertise in tactical drone systems and reflects our commitment to supporting the development of innovative European defence capabilities,” said Christophe Canguilhem, director of the Capa-X program at Airbus Helicopters.
“The characteristics of the Capa-X system make it particularly well suited to the M2UAS project, while offering a scalable operational solution that can be adapted to the needs of the armed forces.”
The Base Platform
Designed for rapid deployment and simplified maintenance, the Capa-X drone measures 4 meters (13.1 feet) in length and features a 6-meter (19.7-foot) wingspan.
It can reach a maximum speed of 81 knots (150 kilometers/93 miles per hour) and operate at altitudes of up to 3,000 meters (9,843 feet).
The aircraft can carry a payload of 20 kilograms (44 pounds), has an endurance of 10 hours, and a maximum takeoff weight of 120 kilograms (265 pounds).
In addition to military missions, its capabilities include border surveillance, law enforcement support, emergency response, search and rescue, fire monitoring, and public safety operations.
