Airbus selected by the European Defence Agency to expand the capabilities of its Capa-X drone

Marignane, France, 04 March 2026 – 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 programme 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, 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 analysing current and future military operational needs, assessing technological challenges, and identifying associated avenues for development. This work will help guide and optimise 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.

photo courtesy Airbus