On Thursday (September 25), the German defense technology startup company Helsing released a new type of autonomous combat drone, joining the competition in developing remote piloting systems. These systems can cooperate in combat with other robots or manned fighter jets, thereby reshaping the future landscape of warfare.
According to Reuters, Helsing unveiled a full-size model of the drone with V-shaped tail wings at a factory on the outskirts of Munich. The company stated that the drone, named “CA-1 Europa,” will make its maiden flight in 2027 and be deployed for military use within the next four years.
Helsing is the latest technology company striving to become a major weapons manufacturer, aiming to compete with heavyweight arms companies, reflecting the increasingly important role of artificial intelligence (AI) on the battlefield.
“CA-1 Europa” joins the ranks of combat drones, which are cheaper than fighter jets and easier to replace if lost during operations.
“AI has changed every aspect of life, and the defense sector is no exception. Its key performance achievement is autonomy,” Helsing co-founder Gundbert Scherf told Reuters.
Helsing stated that this AI-driven drone can autonomously execute missions, cooperate in combat with other unmanned aerial vehicles, or form a “wingman” formation under the command of fighter jets.
The ongoing Russia-Ukraine war has shown the significant role of drones in actual combat. Both sides use drones carrying explosives to carry out airstrikes almost daily. One notable attack occurred in June this year when Ukraine launched the “Operation Spider” against four Russian military bases. Ukrainian agents launched a total of 117 drones from trucks parked near the Russian air force base, hitting dozens of Russian bombers.
Established in 2021, Helsing was initially focused on developing AI software for defense companies with investment from Daniel Ek, the CEO of Spotify, but shifted to designing drones after the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Last year, the United States Air Force selected startups Anduril and the Reaper drone manufacturer General Atomics to jointly develop the first batch of “Collaborative Combat Aircraft” (CCA) fleet, capable of conducting interference or acting as decoys.
In June this year, Airbus presented its own drone concept aimed at flying in cooperation with European fighter jets like the Eurofighter Typhoon.