Airbus is a leading contributor to Earth observation and climate monitoring through its involvement in the Copernicus program, the world's most ambitious initiative for environmental and climate assessment. This program includes a constellation of satellites designed for both "in-situ" measurements and derived services that focus on critical areas such as oceans, atmosphere, climate change, land management, security, and emergency response. By building advanced satellites and instruments, Airbus transforms geospatial data into actionable insights that aid in combating climate change and enhancing our understanding of the Earth's systems. With capabilities ranging from short-term weather predictions to long-term global climate monitoring, Airbus is at the forefront of efforts to address the pressing challenges of climate change.
Airbus is a key player in Earth observation and climate monitoring, contributing to initiatives like the Copernicus program, which is the world's most ambitious environmental and climate monitoring effort. This program encompasses a fleet of satellites designed for both "in-situ" measurements and derived services that address critical areas such as oceans, atmosphere, climate change, land management, security, and emergency response. By building advanced satellites and instruments, Airbus transforms geospatial data into actionable insights that support efforts to combat climate change and enhance our understanding of the planet. From short-term weather predictions to long-term global climate assessments, Airbus's commitment to Earth observation plays a vital role in addressing the challenges posed by climate change.
The SATCOM Iridium system by Airbus provides a robust and reliable satellite communication solution designed for military operations, ensuring secure connectivity in remote and challenging environments. This system leverages the extensive Iridium satellite network to deliver global coverage, enabling voice and data communications for armed forces deployed in various operational theaters. With its high resilience and adaptability, SATCOM Iridium is ideal for mission-critical applications, allowing military personnel to maintain effective communication regardless of location or infrastructure limitations. This capability enhances situational awareness and operational efficiency, making it an essential tool for modern military missions.
SATCOMBw is a critical satellite-based communication system developed by Airbus to ensure stable and secure communications for the German Armed Forces (Bundeswehr) during missions abroad, particularly in regions with unreliable infrastructure. This system features sovereign communications satellites paired with a range of fixed and transportable ground stations, enabling rapid deployment and reliable connectivity between deployment sites and the home base. As the prime contractor for SATCOMBw Stage 2 for over a decade, Airbus is responsible for designing, implementing, and delivering portable ground systems that provide the Bundeswehr with autonomy, security, and absolute control over their communications networks. This capability is essential for maintaining operational effectiveness in diverse and challenging environments.
The UAS Simulation Trainer - SE-RPAS by Airbus is an advanced, high-fidelity training solution designed to prepare the next generation of unmanned aerial systems (UAS) pilots and sensor operators for diverse mission requirements. As the demand for UAS technology grows to address global security needs, this simulation trainer offers a versatile platform that enhances the skill sets of trainees, enabling them to operate various UAS platforms effectively. Developed in collaboration with operational pilots and adhering to NATO quality procedures, the SE-RPAS ensures compliance with HLA and DIS interoperability standards, as well as NATO STANAG 4586. This ITAR-free solution is already in service, providing a trusted and comprehensive training environment that meets the evolving challenges of modern aerial operations.
The Airbus Tiger HAD is a state-of-the-art multi-role attack helicopter specifically designed for high-intensity conflicts and complex collaborative environments. Proven in combat scenarios across Afghanistan, Libya, and Mali, the Tiger excels in various mission profiles, including armed reconnaissance, air and ground escort, air-to-air combat, ground fire support, and anti-tank warfare, both day and night. Its tandem-seat glass cockpit allows the pilot and gunner to effectively manage weapon systems and flight controls, with multifunction LCD displays providing critical sensor data and situational awareness. This versatility and operational effectiveness make the Tiger HAD a benchmark in modern attack helicopters, ensuring military forces can respond decisively in diverse combat situations.
The NH90 military helicopter is a cutting-edge multi-role rotorcraft developed to meet stringent NATO standards, available in two primary configurations: Tactical Transport Helicopter (TTH) and NATO Frigate Helicopter (NFH). This versatile helicopter features a fully integrated mission system that enables effective operations in demanding environments, both over land and at sea, during day and night. With over 500 units delivered to 18 customers across 14 countries by the end of 2023, the NH90 has accumulated more than 400,000 flight hours, demonstrating its reliability and performance. Developed through a collaboration of Airbus Helicopters, Leonardo Helicopters, and Fokker Aerostructures under the NHIndustries partnership, the NH90 stands as a modern solution for military forces seeking a capable and innovative medium-sized helicopter for various operational needs.
The Zephyr High Altitude Platform Station (HAPS), developed by Airbus subsidiary AALTO, is a groundbreaking solution for persistent, high-resolution earth observation and connectivity. Capable of flying continuously for months above 60,000 feet in the stratosphere, the Zephyr operates outside of weather disturbances and conventional air traffic, making it the only fixed-wing HAPS to demonstrate day and night endurance in this environment. This innovative platform can provide very-high resolution imagery and near-real-time video through Airbus’ Strat-Observer service. Additionally, when equipped with a connectivity payload, Zephyr functions as a "tower in the sky," delivering low-latency connectivity directly to users' devices, enhancing communication capabilities for various applications across multiple sectors.
The SIRTAP, developed by Airbus as a high-end tactical Unmanned Aerial System (UAS), offers exceptional performance for surveillance missions through its capability to simultaneously integrate dual payloads, such as an electro-optical turret and a multi-mission radar. This advanced UAS is designed to meet the diverse operational needs of customers in both institutional and governmental sectors, providing a significant leap in capabilities within the high-end tactical UAS segment. Built to endure the harshest environmental and operational conditions, SIRTAP will be certified by the Spanish Military Airworthiness Authorities for operations in segregated airspace. Its robust design includes ice protection and a high-temperature amplitude system, enabling reliable operation in all weather conditions, making it an invaluable asset for defense and security applications.
The Small Tactical UAS, developed by Survey Copter, an Airbus subsidiary with over 28 years of experience, is designed to meet the diverse needs of military, institutional, and civil missions. This lightweight unmanned aerial system excels in applications such as surveillance, infrastructure inspection, and security operations. Committed to innovation and safety, Survey Copter ensures that its UAS solutions are reliable and certified to meet stringent operational requirements. In addition to providing cutting-edge UAS technology, the company offers comprehensive support services, including training, maintenance, and turnkey solutions, maximizing system availability and effectiveness. With a strong presence in military and security sectors, Survey Copter is also expanding its capabilities into civil applications, reinforcing its commitment to delivering advanced aerial solutions.
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) represents a groundbreaking approach to modern air combat, enabling seamless collaboration between manned and unmanned assets to achieve shared mission objectives. This innovative concept enhances the capabilities of crewed aircraft by integrating smart, connected, and modular unmanned systems through a distributed network of intelligence, effectively acting as force multipliers while keeping pilots out of harm's way. MUM-T is pivotal for the development of Remote Carriers, a key component of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), designed to operate alongside fighter jets in complex combat environments. These Remote Carriers can serve as remote sensors with versatile payload options for ISTAR missions and possess direct engagement capabilities against threats, both kinetically and non-kinetically, making them essential allies in future aerial warfare.
The VSR700 is an advanced unmanned aerial system (UAS) developed by Airbus to operate alongside ship-based naval assets, providing commanders with an enhanced tactical picture and improved search and rescue capabilities. This compact and stealthy platform is designed for high performance in times of heightened threat, featuring a versatile payload that accommodates various long-range sensors. The VSR700 meets the demanding requirements of modern navies and armies, enabling effective operations in the contested and dynamic environments of 21st-century battlefields. With its autonomous capabilities, the VSR700 represents a significant capability enhancement for naval operations, ensuring that forces can maintain situational awareness and respond swiftly to emerging challenges.
Airbus provides a comprehensive range of target drone systems designed to deliver realistic and cost-effective training for ground and naval air defense and air-to-air combat scenarios. With over 50 years of experience, Airbus has successfully conducted more than 3,500 missions and deployed over 2,300 direct targets, establishing itself as a leader in aerial target solutions. The offerings include towed airborne targets, direct airborne targets, and surface targets, all tailored to meet specific customer needs. Airbus Defence and Space also delivers customized training missions that simulate complex threat environments, enabling armed forces to enhance their operational readiness through realistic training experiences. The integration of advanced technology ensures that these target systems effectively replicate various combat scenarios, providing invaluable training support for military personnel.
DeckFinder™ is a high-precision local positioning system designed to enhance the safety and effectiveness of both manned and unmanned aerial vehicles in challenging environmental conditions. This advanced navigation system enables accurate determination of an aircraft's relative position, facilitating safer take-off and landing procedures in GPS-denied environments where visual cues are limited. Particularly useful for operations on small or moving helidecks, DeckFinder™ mitigates risks by providing a detailed 3-dimensional image of the UAS's position, ensuring that even minor discrepancies are addressed to prevent mission compromise. Proven and fully integrated into various platforms, DeckFinder™ is an essential tool for modern military operations, enhancing situational awareness and operational success in diverse scenarios.
The Flexrotor is a Group 2 small tactical unmanned aerial system (UAS) designed for vertical take-off and landing (VTOL) operations, featuring a maximum take-off weight of 25 kg (55 lbs). This versatile UAS is specifically engineered for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, offering an impressive operational endurance of 12 to 14 hours in typical configurations. The Flexrotor can accommodate various payloads, including electro-optical systems and advanced sensors, tailored to meet the specific requirements of different missions. Its ability to autonomously launch and recover from both land and sea with a minimal footprint of just 3.7 by 3.7 meters (12 by 12 feet) makes it particularly suitable for expeditionary operations, ensuring flexibility and efficiency in diverse environments.
