Airbus Helicopters, through its subsidiary Survey Copter, has been chosen by the European Defence Agency (EDA) for the Multi Mission Unmanned Aircraft System (M2UAS) project. This 48-month contract, with a budget of approximately €1.1 million, focuses on the study and development of a hybrid uncrewed aircraft capable of performing diverse operational missions based on its configuration and payloads.
Christophe Canguilhem, Director of the Capa-X programme at Airbus Helicopters, stated: “We would like to thank the EDA for the trust it has placed in us. 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. 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 M2UAS project builds on the Capa-X uncrewed aerial system. The first 12-month phase will analyze current and future military operational needs, assess technological challenges, and identify development pathways to enhance the Capa-X’s versatility, efficiency, and multi-mission potential.
Ultimately, the project will help define new drone architectures capable of missions including surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, aerial effects deployment, and automated in-flight refueling—strengthening European uncrewed aerial systems capabilities.
The Capa-X is a 120 kg multi-mission drone featuring a data link range of 100 km, 10 hours of endurance, and a payload capacity of up to 20 kg. Its modular design allows easy adaptation to missions, configurations, and regulatory constraints for public decision-makers, armed forces, civil and parapublic operators.
