Airbus Helicopters selected by the European Defence Agency to develop a new multi-mission military drone
Airbus Helicopters, through its subsidiary Survey Copter, has been selected by the European Defence Agency (EDA) to participate in the Multi Mission Unmanned Aircraft System (M2UAS) project, a strategic initiative aimed at developing a new unmanned aerial system for military missions.
The announcement was made on March 4, 2026, in Marignane, France, and marks the beginning of a program with a total duration of 48 months and an approximate budget of €1.1 million.
The project aims to study and develop a hybrid unmanned aircraft capable of carrying out different types of operational missions depending on the configuration and the sensors or equipment installed.
Capa-X platform will serve as the basis for the project
According to Airbus Helicopters, the development of M2UAS will be based on the Capa-X unmanned aerial system, a tactical drone designed for multi-mission operations.
Christophe Canguilhem, director of the Capa-X program at Airbus Helicopters, highlighted that the selection by the EDA represents recognition of the company’s experience in developing military drones.
“We would like to thank the EDA for the trust placed in us. This selection represents an important recognition of our expertise in tactical drone systems and reflects our commitment to supporting the development of innovative defense capabilities in Europe,” he said.
According to him, the characteristics of the Capa-X make it particularly suitable for the M2UAS project, while also offering a scalable operational solution that can be adapted to the needs of the armed forces.
First phase will analyze military requirements
The first phase of the program, lasting 12 months, will be dedicated to strategic studies, including the analysis of current and future military operational needs, the evaluation of the project’s technological challenges, and the identification of possible development paths.
This work will guide technological choices and expand the system’s capabilities, increasing its versatility, efficiency, and potential for multiple missions.
Planned missions for the new European drone
The M2UAS project aims to define a new drone architecture capable of performing several tasks on the modern battlefield, including surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, deployment of aerial effects, and automated aerial refueling.
The initiative seeks to strengthen European capabilities in unmanned aerial systems, an area considered strategic for the continent’s armed forces.
Specifications of the Capa-X drone
The Capa-X, the platform that will serve as the basis for the project, has the following specifications:
- total weight: 120 kg
- data link range: 100 km
- flight endurance: up to 10 hours
- payload capacity: up to 20 kg
Its modular design allows the drone to be quickly adapted to different missions, configurations, and operational requirements, serving both armed forces and civilian and government operators.
With the progress of the M2UAS project, Airbus Helicopters and the European Defence Agency aim to boost the development of new generations of European military drones, expanding the continent’s technological autonomy in this strategic sector.
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Source and images: Airbus Helicopters. This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team.
