Airbus and European Partners Showcase Advanced Helicopter & Unmanned System Collaboration in MUSHER Project

Airbus Helicopters and its European partners have taken a significant step forward in the realm of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T), successfully demonstrating a new system that integrates helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS). The project, code-named MUSHER, is a European Union-funded initiative under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), launched in 2021. The demonstration, conducted from September 30 to October 9, 2023, involved real-world scenarios that highlight the advantages of coordinating both manned helicopters and unmanned systems in challenging operations.

The tests took place across two countries, France and Italy, where various aircraft, both manned and unmanned, were connected through a single MUM-T network. One of the main platforms used in the experiment was Airbus' H130 FlightLab, a highly versatile helicopter that served as the manned element. For the unmanned side, Airbus deployed its VSR700 UAS, a system that has been designed for missions requiring long endurance and real-time situational awareness.

Leonardo, another key partner in the project, contributed by integrating its own helicopter and an optionally piloted vehicle, showcasing the flexibility of the MUM-T system in operating across different aircraft types. Thales, a leading European defense technology company and coordinator of the MUSHER project, provided the mission supervision and debriefing stations, ensuring seamless communication and control. Other partners, including Space Applications Services, Indra, and ONERA, added further capabilities to the system, such as mission preparation, simulation, and crew workload analysis.

The MUSHER demonstration aimed to illustrate several key concepts of operations, designed by the defense ministries of France, Italy, and Spain. One notable scenario involved an anti-piracy mission, where the UAS first detected suspicious activity during a surveillance operation. Once the target was identified, a manned helicopter moved in and took over full control of the UAS, preparing for a possible intervention. This cooperative mission showed how UAS can act as an extended eye in the sky, enhancing the helicopter’s operational reach while reducing risks to human crews.

One of the major objectives of the demonstration was to assess different levels of interoperability (LOI) between the systems. LOI levels range from the simplest—directly receiving UAS data on a manned helicopter or ground station—to more complex interactions, such as full control and monitoring of the UAS from the helicopter. In this case, LOI 2 to 4 were tested, indicating a high degree of interaction between the manned and unmanned systems.

The results of the demonstration suggest that MUM-T systems like the one showcased in the MUSHER project could become a game-changer for military and civil missions alike. The ability to seamlessly integrate unmanned systems with helicopters from different manufacturers and countries, operating over vast distances, is a technological leap that offers enhanced operational flexibility and safety.

Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, emphasized the importance of such innovations: “Operating helicopters and unmanned aerial systems in concert provides valuable additional mission capabilities such as increased situational awareness with UAS sharing video in real time for improved decision-making, all while preserving critical assets and resources.”

Beyond the military realm, the MUM-T system's potential in civil applications is equally promising. In search and rescue missions, for example, unmanned systems could provide critical information in real-time, enabling faster response times and reducing the risk to human teams. This technology also holds potential in areas like disaster relief, border surveillance, and infrastructure monitoring, where efficiency and safety are paramount.

The MUSHER project is paving the way for future collaborative systems that can operate in both military and civil environments while reducing crew workload and enhancing mission success rates. The success of this demonstration underlines Europe's strong industrial capability in integrating advanced technologies across borders and industries, bringing together the best of its aerospace expertise.

As Airbus and its partners continue to refine this technology, the possibilities for manned-unmanned teaming systems are expected to grow, making MUM-T an essential tool for future operations across a range of sectors.