Airbus has conducted a crewed-uncrewed teaming exercise with the Spanish Navy, demonstrating integrated operations across maritime and air domains. The trial brought together the offshore patrol vessel Rayo, a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and two different uncrewed aerial systems to test coordinated missions in a naval environment.
According to Airbus, the exercise focused on how crewed and uncrewed platforms can share information and operate as a single system of systems. Data gathered by the uncrewed aircraft was transmitted in real time to the H135 crew and the Rayo, supporting tasks such as surveillance, reconnaissance and mission coordination.
The activity showcased how uncrewed platforms can extend the reach and situational awareness of naval helicopters and surface vessels, while keeping human crews at greater distance from potential threats. It also provided the Spanish Navy with an opportunity to assess operational concepts for future multi-domain operations, in which ships, helicopters and UAS are networked to manage complex missions.
The demonstration forms part of Airbus’s broader work on crewed-uncrewed teaming for defense customers, exploring how existing rotorcraft and new-generation uncrewed systems can be integrated into joint mission architectures.