The Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) of Singapore has signed a collaboration agreement with Airbus Helicopters for manned-unmanned teaming (CU-T) capabilities with the H225M helicopter operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Airbus Helicopters’ Flexrotor Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV). The partnership aims to explore, through a flight demonstration, how manned-unmanned teaming can increase situational awareness and improve mission outcomes.
Purpose and Potential of the Partnership
Mr Ng Chad-Son, Chief Executive Officer of DSTA, said that manned-unmanned teaming offers great potential to support more effective air operations in complex environments. “By working with Airbus Helicopters, we will be able to combine our engineering expertise to unlock new possibilities in helicopter-UAV integration. This synergistic combination of manned platforms and autonomous systems will be a true force multiplier,” he said.
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, emphasised that the collaboration between helicopters and UAVs is a revolution in the approach to mission effectiveness. “Combining the strengths of highly skilled pilots with the advanced capabilities of uncrewed systems unlocks unprecedented operational flexibility. It is crucial to work with operators to mature these technologies and test our solutions in real-life demonstrations,” Even said.
HTeaming System and Operational Display
Even said that the H225M is a proven platform adapted for complex missions such as night search and rescue in difficult weather conditions, and emphasized that the Republic of Singapore Air Force has mastered the helicopter's capabilities. According to a press release issued by Airbus, Airbus' new manned-unmanned crewing system HTeaming, integrated into the RSAF’s H225M, enabling crew Full control of the Flexrotor will enable it to be handled.
In this context, the operational demonstration will be set up to demonstrate the efficiency of Airbus’ teaming solution and the added value of cooperation between manned helicopters and unmanned aerial vehicles. Airbus recently introduced HTeaming, a modular manned-unmanned teaming system. According to the company, the system currently includes a modem, four antennas, a tablet and software.
