L3Harris will provide system integration capabilities for the Airbus MQ-72C drone equipped with digital infrastructure and a command-and-control system.
The initiative allows for quick integration of third-party commercial hardware, increasing operational flexibility and adaptability in contested environments.
The partnership will support US Marine Corps missions and enhance systems integration across the joint forces.
“Our MQ-72C platform is capable of supporting the warfighter on a range of unmanned operations that will support the future fight,” said Robert Geckle, Chairman and CEO of Airbus US Space & Defense.
MQ-72C Aircraft
The Airbus MQ-72C is a rotary-wing drone based on the UH-72 Lakota, a light utility helicopter.
It is 13 feet (4 meters) tall and 44.4 feet (13.5 meters) long, with a maximum takeoff weight of 8,378 pounds (3,800 kilograms).
The drone cruises at 135 knots (155 miles/250 kilometers per hour), operates at up to 20,000 feet (6,100 meters), and has a range of over 350 nautical miles (403 miles/650 kilometers).
Airbus is carrying out a series of developments on the MQ-72C, working with multiple partners to expand the aircraft’s capabilities.
Earlier this month, the company signed an agreement with Shield AI to test Hivemind autonomous flight software integration with Airbus’ Helionix avionics suite.
The trials aim to evaluate different levels of autonomy to enable the MQ-72C drone to carry out missions with minimal human control, including operations in complex logistics scenarios.
