Airbus Helicopters, alongside several European partners, has successfully demonstrated a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) system, as part of the European Union-funded MUSHER project, according to a press release.
The demonstration, conducted from 30 September to 9 October, took place across France and Italy, showcasing collaborative operations between manned helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS).
The MUM-T system allows for real-time data sharing between the unmanned systems and manned helicopters, enhancing situational awareness and operational efficiency.
The demonstration involved Airbus’s H130 FlightLab as a manned platform and its VSR700 UAS, with Leonardo participating through its helicopters and optionally piloted vehicles. Other partners, such as Thales, Space Applications Services, Indra, and ONERA, played key roles in mission preparation, coordination, and simulation.
Airbus say that one example scenario tested during the trials was an anti-piracy mission where UAS conducted surveillance before a manned helicopter took control to prepare for intervention. The experiments aimed to demonstrate varying levels of interoperability, from data sharing to full UAS control by manned helicopters, proving the viability of integrating systems from different companies and countries within a unified MUM-T network.
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, said, “The success of the MUSHER demonstration is a major step forward for our ambition at Airbus to field MUM-T capabilities by bringing European industrial know-how together for the benefit of military and civil customers.”
The MUSHER project was initiated under the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP) and aims to develop a robust, interoperable MUM-T system for both civil and military applications.
“MUSHER”?
Robo-huskies?