Japan has taken crewed-uncrewed teaming to the next level, commanding five jet-powered drones inside a helicopter during a breakthrough flight.
A video released by the country’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) during the manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) trials showed pilots managing the drone swarm in real time from a Bell 205 cockpit.
Operators can be seen using thigh-mounted tablets to guide each drone along map-based routes.
The displays likely tied the unmanned platforms to waypoint navigation, offering pilots a first hands-on look at commanding collaborative drones while piloting their own helicopter.
The trials also tested how pilots juggle multiple mission tasks while handling the added challenge of coordinating several aircraft simultaneously.
In one sequence, teams were seen installing an unidentified ventral payload before the drones take to formation flight. The footage appears to combine multiple sorties to highlight different aspects of the operation.
Inside Japan’s MUM-T Drones
The recent trials used five unmanned fixed-wing aircraft supplied by Subaru Corporation through a technology partnership aimed at advancing Japan’s MUM-T efforts.
These unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) are designed to boost surveillance and target tracking, reduce risks from enemy drones, and enhance pilot safety.
They feature a cranked-kite wing, canted V-tail, and top-mounted intake, giving them a profile reminiscent of hobby-class jet models.
In 2024, ATLA reportedly signed a technical support agreement with Subaru to move the experimental UAVs from prototype to operational testing.
Alongside the MUM-T trials, the agency is expanding research into AI-enabled decision-making and situational awareness for unmanned systems in collaboration with the US.
