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Airbus selected by the European Defence Agency to expand the capabilities of its Capa-X drone
March 5, 2026
By Helicopters Staff
The Capa-X is a 120 kg multi-mission drone offering a data link range of 100 km, 10 hours of endurance, and a payload capacity of up to 20 kg. (Image: Airbus) Talking Points
Airbus Helicopters, through its subsidiary Survey Copter, has been chosen by the European Defence Agency for the Multi Mission Unmanned Aircraft System project, a 48-month initiative with a budget of about €1.1 million.
The contract focuses on developing a hybrid uncrewed aircraft based on Airbus’s Capa-X system, designed to perform multiple operational missions depending on its configuration and payloads. The first year will assess military needs and technological challenges to guide the platform’s evolution.
Christophe Canguilhem, director of the Capa-X program at Airbus Helicopters, said the selection recognizes the company’s expertise in tactical drone systems and supports European defence innovation. The project aims to enhance the Capa-X’s versatility, efficiency and multi-mission potential.
- The M2UAS project will define new drone architectures for missions such as surveillance, electronic warfare and aerial refuelling
- The Capa-X drone features a 100-kilometre data link range, 10-hour endurance and 20-kilogram payload capacity
- The modular design allows adaptation for military, civil and parapublic uses
This story matters as it highlights ongoing efforts to advance uncrewed aerial systems technology, which could influence future defence capabilities and operational flexibility in Europe and beyond.
Airbus Helicopters, through its subsidiary Survey Copter, has been selected by the European Defence Agency (EDA) for the Multi Mission Unmanned Aircraft System (M2UAS) project. This strategic contract is part of a series of projects lasting 48 months, with a total budget of approximately €1.1 million. It involves the study and development of a hybrid uncrewed aircraft capable of performing various operational missions depending on its configuration and payloads.
“We would like to thank the EDA for the trust it has placed in us. This selection is a major recognition of our expertise in tactical drone systems and reflects our commitment to supporting the development of innovative European defence capabilities,” said Christophe Canguilhem, Director of the Capa-X program at Airbus Helicopters. “The characteristics of the Capa-X system make it particularly well suited to the M2UAS project, while offering a scalable operational solution that can be adapted to the needs of the armed forces,” he added.
Building on the Capa-X uncrewed aerial system, Airbus explains the M2UAS project aims to strengthen and expand the capabilities of the existing platform. The first phase of the project, lasting 12 months, is devoted to analyzing current and future military operational needs, assessing technological challenges, and identifying associated avenues for development. This work will help guide and optimize the various technological choices, with the aim of enhancing the Capa-X’s versatility, efficiency, and multi-mission potential.
Ultimately, the M2UAS project will contribute to the definition of new drone architectures capable of performing a wide range of missions, such as surveillance and reconnaissance, electronic warfare, aerial effects deployment, and automated in-flight refueling, thereby strengthening European capabilities in the field of uncrewed aerial systems.
The Capa-X is a 120 kg multi-mission drone offering a data link range of 100 km, 10 hours of endurance, and a payload capacity of up to 20 kg. Its modular design allows it to be easily adapted to the missions, configurations, and regulatory constraints of public decision-makers, armed forces, civil and parapublic operators.