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Unified Cooperation: The Emerging Era of Human-Machine Synergy in Joint Operations

Unmanned aerial systems (UAS) head Nicolas Delmas, Airbus Helicopters, emphasizes the significance of combining manned and unmanned aircraft for optimal performance, specifically within the VSR program.

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Collaborative Intellect: The Direction of Human-Machine Partnerships in Operations
Collaborative Intellect: The Direction of Human-Machine Partnerships in Operations

Unified Cooperation: The Emerging Era of Human-Machine Synergy in Joint Operations

Airbus Helicopters, a leading aviation company, is making significant strides in the development of autonomous rotorcraft and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) technologies. The company's strategy encompasses integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to enable autonomous flight capabilities and collaborating with manned assets to expand mission possibilities.

Key highlights of Airbus Helicopters' strategy include the successful completion of the first autonomous flight of its H145 helicopter using Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy framework. This milestone, part of the US Marine Corps’ Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program, aims to develop an unmanned rotorcraft supporting ship-to-shore logistics by 2029 [1].

Airbus has a long-standing partnership with the US Marine Corps, having experimented with uncrewed flights of the H145 since 2013. The company announced plans in 2024 to compete in the ALC program with an unmanned variant of the H145-based UH-72 Lakota utility helicopter, demonstrating a long-term investment in unmanned rotorcraft development [1].

In addition to autonomous operations, Airbus is also focusing on enhancing situational awareness and coordination between manned and unmanned systems. The company is involved in EU-funded projects such as MUSHER to demonstrate full-scale MUM-T systems, with the goal of leveraging European industrial expertise to enable manned helicopters and autonomous systems to work together effectively [3].

Airbus is not only testing autonomous takeoff and landing capabilities but also investing in AI to improve unmanned flight operations, particularly for defense applications such as the French Navy’s unmanned air system development [5].

The 'Musher' project, funded by the European Defence Fund, aims to build manned-unmanned teaming capabilities for a future European combat air system. The objective of the project is to increase and optimize cooperation between European Union's armed forces, especially around interoperability [2].

Collaboration with Airbus Defence and Space is crucial for Airbus Helicopters' UAS strategy. Airbus Defence and Space has provided technologies such as the ground station for the VSR700 prototype and the deck finder system for maritime operations [2].

The VSR700 prototype is a high-performance, compact, versatile, multi-mission UAS capable of delivering a mission in maritime environments. The project aims to build export versions of the VSR700 with additional mission capabilities such as cargo and anti-submarine warfare [6].

The development of intelligent collaboration between UAS, helicopters, and fixed-wing aircraft requires specific technologies. The goal is to enable drones to fly in environments with other manned assets, increasing their autonomy [7]. These connections between UAS and other aircraft should be robust, secure, and capable of performing in contested environments [7].

The first part of the 'Musher' project will take place in October 2024 [2]. The goal is to propose concrete interoperability capabilities to customers around 2027 [2]. Increasing the autonomy of drones will reduce the operator workload, making operations more efficient and effective [8].

In summary, Airbus Helicopters' strategy combines advancing autonomous rotorcraft technologies using AI, actively participating in defense programs to develop unmanned logistics and combat support aircraft, and pioneering manned-unmanned teaming to expand operational capabilities. The company's future plans envisage robust collaboration between unmanned systems and manned aircraft to optimize diverse military and civil missions by the late 2020s and beyond [1][3][5].

References: [1] https://www.airbus.com/newsroom/press-releases/en/2021/08/airbus-completes-first-autonomous-flight-of-h145-helicopter-using-shield-ai-s-hivemind-autonomy-framework.html [2] https://www.airbus.com/defence/products/unmanned-aircraft-systems/vr-700-ng.html [3] https://www.airbus.com/defence/products/unmanned-aircraft-systems/musher.html [4] https://www.airbus.com/defence/products/unmanned-aircraft-systems/autonomous-capabilities.html [5] https://www.airbus.com/defence/products/unmanned-aircraft-systems/airbus-helicopters-unmanned-aircraft-systems.html [6] https://www.airbus.com/defence/products/unmanned-aircraft-systems/vr-700-ng-export-versions.html [7] https://www.airbus.com/defence/products/unmanned-aircraft-systems/vr-700-ng-technology.html [8] https://www.airbus.com/defence/products/unmanned-aircraft-systems/vr-700-ng-autonomy.html

  1. Airbus Helicopters, a prominent name in the aviation industry, is dedicated to making strides in the development of autonomous rotorcraft and manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) technologies.
  2. The company's strategy focuses on integrating advanced artificial intelligence (AI) to enable autonomous flight capabilities and collaborating with manned assets to expand mission possibilities.
  3. Airbus's strategy also includes enhancing situational awareness and coordination between manned and unmanned systems through projects like MUSHER.
  4. In the US Marine Corps’ Aerial Logistics Connector (ALC) program, Airbus successfully completed the first autonomous flight of its H145 helicopter using Shield AI’s Hivemind autonomy framework.
  5. The company plans to compete in the ALC program with an unmanned variant of the H145-based UH-72 Lakota utility helicopter.
  6. The 'Musher' project, funded by the European Defence Fund, is focused on building manned-unmanned teaming capabilities for a future European combat air system.
  7. Collaboration with Airbus Defence and Space is essential for Airbus Helicopters' UAS strategy, with the latter providing technologies like the ground station for the VSR700 prototype.
  8. The VSR700 prototype is a high-performance, compact, versatile, multi-mission UAS capable of delivering a mission in maritime environments.
  9. The goal is to increase the autonomy of drones and reduce the operator workload, making operations more efficient and effective.
  10. Increased autonomy in drones will also lead to the optimization of diverse military and civil missions.
  11. AI investments are being made to improve unmanned flight operations, especially for defense applications such as the French Navy’s unmanned air system development.
  12. The first part of the 'Musher' project will take place in October 2024, with the goal to propose concrete interoperability capabilities to customers around 2027.
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