Airbus Helicopters, in collaboration with its partners, has successfully conducted a comprehensive demonstration of a manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) system. This initiative is part of the EU-funded project known as MUSHER. The demonstration occurred in France and Italy from September 30 to October 9, showcasing multiple manned helicopters and unmanned aerial systems (UAS) integrated into a single MUM-T network.
Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus Helicopters, emphasized the significance of the demonstration, stating, “Coordinating helicopters and unmanned aerial systems enhances mission capabilities, providing increased situational awareness through real-time video sharing from UAS. This not only improves decision-making but also helps preserve vital assets and resources.” He added that the success of the MUSHER demonstration marks a significant advancement in Airbus’s goal to implement MUM-T capabilities, uniting European industrial expertise to benefit both military and civilian customers.
Airbus led the initiative, deploying the H130 FlightLab as a manned platform alongside the VSR700 unmanned aerial system at a DGA test range. Leonardo contributed by operating a helicopter and an optionally piloted vehicle. Thales, the project coordinator, provided supervision and mission debriefing stations, while Space Applications Services managed the mission preparation station. Indra was responsible for simulation activities leading up to the demonstration, and ONERA conducted studies on crew workload.
The MUSHER demonstration encompassed various scenarios where different aircraft operated simultaneously in France and Italy. The missions were designed according to operational concepts outlined by the defense ministries of France, Italy, and Spain. One notable scenario involved an anti-piracy mission, where the UAS initially performed surveillance. Upon detecting suspicious activity on a vessel, the manned helicopter took over control of the UAS in preparation for intervention.
The in-flight testing focused on demonstrating interoperability levels (LOI) 2 to 4, which included the direct transfer of UAS data to the manned helicopters and ground station, as well as the ability to control and monitor the UAS from the helicopters. This demonstration proved that manned helicopters and UAS from various companies and countries could operate seamlessly within a unified MUM-T system, even in remote locations.
MUSHER is part of the European Defence Industrial Development Programme (EDIDP), initiated by the European Commission in December 2021. The project’s objective is to develop a versatile European MUM-T system capable of operating effectively in diverse environments—whether civil, military, or mixed—while minimizing crew workload and maximizing operational capacity.
