Exclusive: Singapore and Airbus to develop collaborative operations between drones and H225M helicopter.

According to information released by Airbus Helicopters on June 18, 2025, Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) has signed an agreement with Airbus Helicopters, headquartered in France, to launch a strategic collaboration focused on developing and demonstrating crewed-uncrewed teaming (CU-T) capabilities. This initiative will integrate the Republic of Singapore Air Force’s H225M Medium Lift Helicopter with Airbus’ Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS).
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Republic of Singapore Air Force H225M helicopter to be integrated with Flexrotor drone system under a new collaboration with Airbus to enhance future crewed-uncrewed mission capabilities. (Picture source: Singapore MoD)

Crewed-Uncrewed Teaming (CU-T) is an emerging operational concept in which manned aircraft work in direct coordination with autonomous or remotely piloted systems to execute missions more effectively and safely. This tactical integration allows manned platforms to leverage the extended range, endurance, and sensing capabilities of uncrewed aerial systems without exposing pilots or aircrew to frontline threats. In this project, the Flexrotor UAS plays a central role. Developed by Aerovironment and adopted by Airbus for integration, the Flexrotor is a compact, vertical take-off and landing drone optimized for maritime and land-based intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) missions. With a flight endurance exceeding 30 hours, modular payloads, and autonomous launch and recovery, the Flexrotor offers a scalable and rapidly deployable tool for enhancing situational awareness and mission adaptability.

The operational testbed for this initiative involves the RSAF’s H225M Medium Lift Helicopter and Airbus’ Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system (UAS). Airbus’ newly developed HTeaming system will be installed on board the H225M to enable full control of the Flexrotor UAS from the helicopter cockpit. The live demonstration will evaluate how this integrated concept can enhance the RSAF’s capacity for surveillance, reconnaissance, and coordinated mission execution by extending the reach and situational awareness of its rotary-wing assets.

The H225M, also known as the Caracal, is a long-range tactical transport helicopter designed by Airbus for high-demand military operations. Powered by two Turbomeca Makila 2A1 turboshaft engines, the H225M offers a maximum cruise speed of 262 km/h and a range of over 850 km with standard fuel tanks. It can be outfitted with additional auxiliary tanks and in-flight refueling capability to extend endurance further. The helicopter can carry up to 28 troops or 5,500 kg of cargo, either internally or externally, and is equipped with advanced avionics, a four-axis digital automatic flight control system, and integrated self-protection features including radar warning receivers, missile approach warning systems, and electronic countermeasures.

Designed to excel in both land and maritime missions, the H225M has proven its reliability in combat operations, special forces insertion, casualty evacuation, and disaster relief across various global users including France, Brazil, Malaysia, and Indonesia. Its rugged airframe and flexible configuration make it particularly well-suited for high-risk environments and demanding mission profiles, positioning it as an ideal candidate for pairing with autonomous systems to push operational boundaries.

The Flexrotor, a lightweight vertical take-off and landing UAS, enhances the helicopter’s intelligence-gathering capabilities by providing a persistent aerial presence beyond the visual and radar horizon of the crewed platform. With its extended endurance and modular payload architecture, the Flexrotor can deliver high-resolution video, infrared imagery, and electronic surveillance data in real-time, significantly improving operational planning and tactical decision-making.

The integration of CU-T capabilities addresses a critical need in modern military doctrine: the ability to conduct distributed, multi-domain operations with minimized risk to personnel and maximized mission coverage. This concept is increasingly relevant in scenarios involving urban conflict, maritime interdiction, and operations in anti-access/area denial (A2/AD) environments, where uncrewed systems can scout, secure, or strike targets before helicopters enter the battlespace.

Airbus’ HTeaming system is designed as a modular solution incorporating a high-bandwidth modem, multiple antennas, a ruggedized tablet, and dedicated software. It enables helicopter crews to plan, launch, control, and receive data from the UAS while in flight, turning the rotorcraft into a mobile command-and-control node. The system allows for synchronized operations between the manned platform and the drone, with dynamic tasking and data fusion enhancing tactical awareness and reducing mission reaction time.

The RSAF’s participation in this trial underscores Singapore’s strategic commitment to future-proofing its air combat capabilities. By embracing CU-T, Singapore not only strengthens its own defense posture but also contributes to shaping the operational concepts that will define the future of airpower. The initiative also highlights the growing global trend among modern armed forces to integrate AI-driven autonomy and robotic systems into legacy and next-generation combat platforms.

As one of the first Southeast Asian air forces to formally test this operational synergy between helicopters and drones, Singapore’s approach is expected to yield valuable insights into doctrine development, crew workload management, and command-and-control interoperability. The outcomes of the demonstration may inform future procurement and system upgrades, potentially positioning the RSAF as a regional leader in unmanned-manned combat integration.