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The European Defence Agency has selected Airbus Helicopters to expand the operational scope of its Capa-X tactical drone, awarding a €1.1 million, 48-month development contract under the Multi Mission Unmanned Aircraft System (M2UAS) programme.
The contract was secured through Survey Copter, an Airbus Helicopters subsidiary, and positions the Capa-X platform as a testbed for next-generation European uncrewed aerial capabilities.
Building on a Proven Platform
The Capa-X is a 120 kg multi-mission drone with a 100 km data link range, 10 hours of endurance, and a 20 kg payload capacity. Its modular architecture allows rapid reconfiguration for different mission sets, operators, and regulatory environments — a key factor in its selection.
“The characteristics of the Capa-X system make it particularly well suited to the M2UAS project,” said Christophe Canguilhem, Director of the Capa-X programme at Airbus Helicopters, according to Airbus. He described it as offering “a scalable operational solution that can be adapted to the needs of the armed forces.”
A Phased Approach to Development
The first 12 months focus on analysis rather than hardware. The project team will assess current and future military operational requirements, map technological challenges, and identify viable development pathways. That groundwork will shape subsequent design and integration decisions.
The broader objective is to expand what the Capa-X can do across a demanding range of mission types. These include intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), electronic warfare, aerial effects deployment, and — notably — automated in-flight refuelling. The last capability reflects growing European interest in extending drone endurance without forward basing.
Strategic Significance for European Defence
The M2UAS award fits within a wider European push to reduce dependence on non-European uncrewed systems. The EDA has accelerated investment in collaborative drone programmes in recent years, as member states seek sovereign capabilities across the tactical and operational spectrum.
For Airbus, the contract reinforces the Capa-X programme’s credibility at the institutional level. “This selection is a major recognition of our expertise in tactical drone systems,” said Canguilhem, adding that it reflects the company’s “commitment to supporting the development of innovative European defence capabilities.”
Survey Copter, based in Beynes, France, specialises in small and medium UAS development. Its integration into the EDA project pipeline strengthens Airbus’s position in the competitive European tactical drone market — a segment drawing increasing defence investment as land forces seek persistent ISR and flexible strike options at lower cost than manned platforms.
The M2UAS programme is expected to contribute to the definition of new drone architectures for European armed forces. Outcomes from the project may inform future procurement decisions across EDA member states.
Source: Airbus Press Release














