Airbus Helicopters, May 20, 2026 - Airbus Helicopters and the Spanish Navy successfully completed a tactical flight trial earlier this month in Rota, Spain.
The exercise integrated the offshore patrol vessel Rayo with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and two different uncrewed aerial systems, the Airbus Flexrotor and Alpha Unmanned Systems´ A900 using the HTeaming solution.
The exercise validated the real-time control of the drone and sharing of imagery between uncrewed systems, helicopters, and naval vessels to establish a multi-domain operational link. This capability allows the ship to access critical information from areas far beyond its own sensor range directly at the combat station.
During the trials, both uncrewed platforms performed take-offs and landings from the moving vessel. A pilot inside the H135 managed the drones during flight using the HTeaming tablet, which proved to be agnostic by successfully integrating the Alpha Unmanned Systems´ A900.
The demonstration consisted of a simulated high-speed boat chase during an ISTAR maritime operation, where the Flexrotor and Alpha 900 tracked the target and transmitted live footage to both the helicopter and the ship.
The data was integrated into NAIAD (Naval Advanced Integrated Autonomous Vehicles Defence system), Navantia’s tactical integration system for unmanned vehicles, enabling command, control and interoperability of aerial, surface and underwater systems within SCOMBA, the Spanish Navy’s combat management system developed by Navantia.
Airbus Flexrotor
Fernando Lombo, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Spain, said “Airbus Helicopters is committed to exploring new frontiers in crewed-uncrewed teaming that brings real added value to customers. The close collaboration between pioneering companies such as Airbus, Navantia, and Alpha Unmanned Systems, combined with the trust of public entities like the Spanish Navy, shows our shared potential to strengthen Europe’s role as a sovereign leader in defence. By working together, we are proving that we can deliver the innovative technology necessary to secure a leading position on the global stage.”
The H135 crew managed the uncrewed platforms using the HTeaming tablet, Airbus Helicopters’ modular crewed-uncrewed teaming solution. This system empowers crews with full control over UAS in flight, allowing for the integration of uncrewed sensors into crewed operations to improve mission efficiency. In parallel, data from the UAS was processed through the Helicopter Integrated Tactical System, a tactical console developed by Airbus that acted as a bridge to the vessel. This ensured the information was compatible with the NAIAD/SCOMBA combat system.
Future developments will continue to build on this success by exploring drone swarm technology and further enhancing the integration between air and sea assets, as well as land transport.
Alpha Unmanned Systems A900
The Airbus Flexrotor is a compact vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system designed for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in both military and civil environments. Originally developed by Aerovel and later acquired by Airbus, the Flexrotor combines helicopter-style vertical takeoff capability with efficient fixed-wing cruise flight, allowing operations from ships, remote sites, and confined areas without the need for runways or launch equipment. The system can remain airborne for more than 12 hours depending on configuration and is optimized for maritime surveillance, border security, infrastructure monitoring, and tactical reconnaissance missions.
The Alpha A900 developed by Alpha Unmanned Systems is a tactical rotary-wing unmanned aerial system designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions in maritime and land environments. Powered by a fuel engine rather than batteries, the A900 offers extended endurance and operational flexibility for naval patrol, border surveillance, and military reconnaissance tasks. Its compact helicopter configuration allows vertical takeoff and landing from ships and confined areas, while its stabilized sensor payloads provide real-time imagery and situational awareness for military and security operators.
The exercise integrated the offshore patrol vessel Rayo with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and two different uncrewed aerial systems, the Airbus Flexrotor and Alpha Unmanned Systems´ A900 using the HTeaming solution.
The exercise validated the real-time control of the drone and sharing of imagery between uncrewed systems, helicopters, and naval vessels to establish a multi-domain operational link. This capability allows the ship to access critical information from areas far beyond its own sensor range directly at the combat station.
During the trials, both uncrewed platforms performed take-offs and landings from the moving vessel. A pilot inside the H135 managed the drones during flight using the HTeaming tablet, which proved to be agnostic by successfully integrating the Alpha Unmanned Systems´ A900.
The demonstration consisted of a simulated high-speed boat chase during an ISTAR maritime operation, where the Flexrotor and Alpha 900 tracked the target and transmitted live footage to both the helicopter and the ship.
The data was integrated into NAIAD (Naval Advanced Integrated Autonomous Vehicles Defence system), Navantia’s tactical integration system for unmanned vehicles, enabling command, control and interoperability of aerial, surface and underwater systems within SCOMBA, the Spanish Navy’s combat management system developed by Navantia.
Airbus Flexrotor
Fernando Lombo, Managing Director of Airbus Helicopters in Spain, said “Airbus Helicopters is committed to exploring new frontiers in crewed-uncrewed teaming that brings real added value to customers. The close collaboration between pioneering companies such as Airbus, Navantia, and Alpha Unmanned Systems, combined with the trust of public entities like the Spanish Navy, shows our shared potential to strengthen Europe’s role as a sovereign leader in defence. By working together, we are proving that we can deliver the innovative technology necessary to secure a leading position on the global stage.”
The H135 crew managed the uncrewed platforms using the HTeaming tablet, Airbus Helicopters’ modular crewed-uncrewed teaming solution. This system empowers crews with full control over UAS in flight, allowing for the integration of uncrewed sensors into crewed operations to improve mission efficiency. In parallel, data from the UAS was processed through the Helicopter Integrated Tactical System, a tactical console developed by Airbus that acted as a bridge to the vessel. This ensured the information was compatible with the NAIAD/SCOMBA combat system.
Future developments will continue to build on this success by exploring drone swarm technology and further enhancing the integration between air and sea assets, as well as land transport.
Alpha Unmanned Systems A900
The Airbus Flexrotor is a compact vertical takeoff and landing (VTOL) uncrewed aerial system designed for long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions in both military and civil environments. Originally developed by Aerovel and later acquired by Airbus, the Flexrotor combines helicopter-style vertical takeoff capability with efficient fixed-wing cruise flight, allowing operations from ships, remote sites, and confined areas without the need for runways or launch equipment. The system can remain airborne for more than 12 hours depending on configuration and is optimized for maritime surveillance, border security, infrastructure monitoring, and tactical reconnaissance missions.
The Alpha A900 developed by Alpha Unmanned Systems is a tactical rotary-wing unmanned aerial system designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions in maritime and land environments. Powered by a fuel engine rather than batteries, the A900 offers extended endurance and operational flexibility for naval patrol, border surveillance, and military reconnaissance tasks. Its compact helicopter configuration allows vertical takeoff and landing from ships and confined areas, while its stabilized sensor payloads provide real-time imagery and situational awareness for military and security operators.
Rota Naval Base See also |
H135 / EC135P3H in
Arma Aerea de la Armada Española Airbus Flexrotor
Alpha Unmanned Systems Alpha 900
Rayo ( P-42, Buque de Accion Maritima (OPV) ) 
