Airbus Helicopters Successfully Trials Drones with Spanish Navy at Rota
Airbus Helicopters and the Spanish Navy have successfully conducted a tactical trial integrating a coastal patrol vessel, a helicopter, and unmanned aerial systems. This demonstration validated real-time drone control and image sharing across platforms to establish a multi-domain operational link.
An Exercise Integrating Ship, Helicopter, and Drones
The trial was conducted in May with the Spanish Navy in Rota, Spain. The exercise brought together the coastal patrol vessel Rayo, an H135 helicopter from the Spanish Navy, and two unmanned aerial systems: the Airbus Flexrotor and the Alpha Unmanned Systems' A900. Both unmanned platforms performed take-offs and landings from the moving ship. During the flight, a pilot aboard the H135 commanded the drones via Airbus Helicopters' HTeaming tablet. In a simulated pursuit of a fast boat as part of a maritime observation and reconnaissance (ISTAR) operation, both drones followed the target and transmitted live images to the helicopter and ship.
Integration into Spanish Naval Combat Systems
The data collected by the drones were integrated into the NAIAD system (Naval Advanced Integrated Autonomous Vehicles Defence system), the tactical integration system for unmanned vehicles developed by Navantia. This integration occurred within SCOMBA, the Spanish Navy's combat management system, enabling command, control, and interoperability of aerial, surface, and submarine systems. The HTeaming solution from Airbus proved compatible with the A900 from Alpha Unmanned Systems, demonstrating its ability to integrate unmanned sensors into crewed operations to enhance mission efficiency.
