Germany’s Helsing, HENSOLDT team up on autonomous systems for Euro CCA

WASHINGTON — Germany’s Helsing and HENSOLDT are joining forces to develop “AI-enabled combat air systems,” by way of upgrading Helsing’s CA-1 autonomous aircraft, according to a statement released today.

“The partnership between Helsing and HENSOLDT is a joining of forces of two national champions. We are united by a commitment to massive investments in future technologies,” Helsing Cofounder and CEO Gundbert Scherf said in the statement.

The CA-1, which marks Helsing’s entry to the Collaborative Combat Aircraft market, will be fitted with the company’s AI agent Centaur. According to this partnership, HENSOLDT will provide “sensor technologies, integrating radar, optronics, self-protection and electromagnetic warfare systems,” with its Multi-Domain Operations Core software suite. With the technology from the two companies, “the uncrewed aircraft will be capable of autonomous mission execution and secure information processing,” the release states.

“The future of modern defence systems lies in the intelligent and networked interplay of sensor technology and artificial intelligence,” HENDSOLT CEO Oliver Dörre added in the statement. “What connects us with Helsing is the common goal of responsibly advancing innovative technologies and thereby contributing to Europe’s capacity to act in terms of security policy.”

The CA-1 was unveiled in September with a full-size design being showcased at Helsing subsidiary Grob Aircraft’s facility in Bavaria, Germany. At the time, the company did not provide details on cost of the aircraft, but said it is expected to be operational within four years, Breaking Defense previously reported.

Helsing’s CA-1 is controlled by an AI pilot and will be able to function both as a single unit and among a swarm. HENSOLDT’s sensor systems and data fusions across all domains will maximize the CA-1’s capabilities, with each partner leading in its area of expertise, according to the statement.

This is not the first time the two companies have teamed up. Currently, they’re working with Norway’s Kongsberg to develop a European satellite constellation for Intelligence, Surveillance and Target Acquisition, per today’s announcement.