Airbus Helicopters Takes Over Survey Copter Drone Lines

Airbus Helicopters is taking over two uncrewed aircraft systems (UAS) programs from Survey Copter, a light tactical drone manufacturer owned by Airbus Defense and Space, in a move that the European aerospace giant says will streamline its UAS offerings. 

Survey Copter’s small and medium tactical UAS solutions, called Aliaca and Capa-X, respectively, will merge into a single portfolio to be managed by Airbus Helicopters, the company announced on October 14. 

Based at Pierrelatte in France, Survey Copter has designed and produced light tactical drone systems for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) applications since 1996. The company was acquired by Airbus in 2011. It claims to have sold more than 300 drones to military and defense customers, primarily within the French government but also abroad. 

In service with the French Navy since 2022, the Aliaca is a Category 2 UAS with a maximum takeoff weight of 25 kilograms (55 pounds). The all-electric Aliaca Evo variant has a range of 50 kilometers (30 miles) and an endurance of up to three hours with a 2-kilogram payload capacity. In a hybrid-electric configuration with a piston engine, the Aliaca ER offers double the range and endurance. 

Survey Copter originally developed the Aliaca in a fixed-wing configuration that requires a catapult to launch, with an automated net recovery system in lieu of landing gear. In April, Survey Copter announced plans to launch vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) variants of both the Aliaca Evo and Aliaca ER. 

All Aliaca configurations are equipped with a gyro-stabilised EO/IR GX5 turret and an Automatic Identification System (AIS) for tracking ships, and they are capable of navigating in GNSS-denied environments.

Capa-X, which Survey Copter launched in 2023, is a modular multi-mission drone platform with optional VTOL capabilities that’s suitable for a wide range of applications, including ISR and search-and-rescue operations. The 120-kilogram (264 pounds) drone can carry up to 20 kilograms (44 pounds) of equipment. 

Survey Copter’s Aliaca family and Capa-X platform will join Airbus Helicopters’ nascent portfolio of tactical drones, which includes the 25-kilogram Aerovel Flexrotor VTOL “tailsitter” and the VSR700 tactical UAS, a derivation of the two-seat Guimbal Cabri G2 light helicopter that Airbus is developing for the French Navy. Airbus has tested the VSR700’s autonomous flight capabilities using an optionally piloted variant. 

In addition to the rotorcraft under Airbus Helicopters’ portfolio, Airbus is also working on other fixed-wing UAS platforms under its Airbus Defense and Space subsidiary. This includes the Eurodrone medium-altitude long-endurance turboprop twin, the SIRTAP high-performance tactical drone, and the solar-powered Zephyr high-altitude platform station. 

“By incorporating Aliaca and Capa-X into our UAS portfolio, we are building a cohesive family of products and solidifying Airbus’ position as a market leader in the tactical drone segment,” said Airbus Helicopters CEO Bruno Even. “With this move, we are setting up a center of excellence that consolidates a comprehensive and complementary portfolio of uncrewed aerial systems and facilitates synergies across the teams that are working to further develop and support them. It will also accelerate the cooperation between drones and helicopters thanks to our HTeaming solution.”

HTeaming is Airbus Helicopters’ crewed-uncrewed teaming solution that enables helicopter crews to control UAS during flight. According to Airbus, this type of teaming “offers additional mission capabilities by extending sensor range far beyond the aircraft’s line of sight, preserving them for the essential missions that only they can perform.”