Airbus Brings Aliaca and Capa-X Together in Helicopters Division UAS Portfolio

Airbus has unified its small and medium tactical uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) into a single portfolio under the management of Airbus Helicopters. This consolidation brings together Survey Copter’s systems, including Aliaca and Capa-X, to provide a streamlined offering for defence, security, and civil applications across both the Helicopters and Defence and Space divisions.

Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, highlighted the strategic value of this integration: “By incorporating Aliaca and Capa-X into our UAS portfolio, we are building a cohesive family of products and consolidating Airbus’ position in the tactical drone segment. This initiative creates a centre of excellence that combines complementary UAS capabilities and encourages collaboration across teams. It also supports the integration of drones and helicopters through our HTeaming solution.”

Expanding Tactical Capabilities

Uncrewed aerial systems have become essential for real-time operations in both military and civilian contexts. They provide high-resolution sensing for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR), as well as long-endurance ISR missions. Their applications extend to naval and expeditionary forces, battlefield reconnaissance, border security, firefighting, and law enforcement.

Survey Copter, based in Pierrelatte, Southern France, has been developing light tactical drones since 1996 and has delivered over 300 systems to international and domestic clients. The company’s extensive experience in both civil and military drone operations now contributes to Airbus’ broader UAS capabilities.

Types Of Drone

The consolidated portfolio includes a range of drones designed for flexibility and operational efficiency:

• Aliaca: A 25 kg drone with six hours of flight endurance and a payload capacity of 3 kg, suitable for tactical reconnaissance missions.

• Flexrotor: Also 25 kg, this system can fly for 10–12 hours with an 8 kg payload, providing extended operational reach.

• Capa-X: A 120 kg drone capable of carrying up to 20 kg of equipment, designed for varied terrains and multi-purpose missions.

• VSR700: A 750 kg multi-role drone optimized for maritime, cargo, and combat operations, featuring a low-signature design and adaptable configuration.

These systems offer a combination of endurance, payload flexibility, and operational adaptability, supporting a wide spectrum of mission requirements.

Integration with Advanced Systems

Beyond tactical drones, Airbus Defence and Space continues to develop large-scale and specialised UAS technologies. This includes the Eurodrone, designed for strategic European defence; SIRTAP, an ISR platform capable of day and night operations; and the Zephyr HAPS, a solar-electric high-altitude pseudo-satellite for long-duration surveillance. Airbus also provides aerial target drones for training and testing purposes.

A key innovation in the portfolio is the crewed-uncrewed teaming (CU-T) capability, which allows helicopter and aircraft crews to control drones during missions. This approach extends sensor coverage, improves situational awareness, and enables manned platforms to focus on critical tasks, enhancing overall mission efficiency.

By consolidating its tactical UAS portfolio under Airbus Helicopters, Airbus aims to provide a coherent and integrated range of drone solutions for military, security, and civil operators. The combination of small, medium, and large unmanned systems, along with crewed-uncrewed teaming, positions Airbus to meet evolving operational requirements with flexible and reliable solutions.