Airbus and Leonardo have demonstrated manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) with helicopters and unmanned aerial systems.
The demonstration took place in France and Italy from September 30 to October 9, involving multiple helicopters and unmanned aerial systems connected to a single MUM-T network.
Airbus performed the demonstration with the manned H130 FlightLab and the VSR700 drone, while Leonardo deployed a helicopter and an optionally piloted vehicle.
“Operating helicopters and unmanned aerial systems in concert provides valuable additional mission capabilities such as increased situational awareness with UAS sharing video in real time for improved decision-making, all while preserving critical assets and resources,” CEO of Airbus Helicopters Bruno Even said.
Manned-Unmanned Teaming Demo
The Project MUSHER demonstration included multiple scenarios, such as an anti-piracy mission, wherein an unmanned platform on a surveillance mission spots a suspicious boat and informs the manned helicopter.
The helicopter joins the scene and takes full control of the unmanned platform in preparation for intervention.
“The in-flight testing aimed at demonstrating levels of interoperability 2 to 4, from direct receipt of UAS data by the manned helicopters and the ground station, to the control and monitoring of the UAS from the helicopters,” Airbus explained.
“The demonstration also served to prove that manned helicopters and UAS from different companies and different countries, operating in distant areas, could be integrated within a single MUM-T system.”
Joint Effort
A group of European firms contributed to the Airbus-led effort, with Thales as coordinator and providing a supervision station and a mission debriefing station.
Brussels-based Space Applications Services was in charge of the mission preparation station, while Indra led simulation activities.
Moreover, the French National Aerospace Research Center, ONERA, provided studies on crew workload.
“The success of the MUSHER demonstration is a major step forward for our ambition at Airbus which is to field MUM-T capabilities by bringing European industrial know-how together for the benefit of military and civil customers,” Even added.