Singapore to pair H225M helo with Airbus Flexrotor UAS

Airbus H225 medium lift helicopter | Photo: Anthony Pecchi / Airbus Helicopters

Airbus Helicopters announced an agreement last week with Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) to ‘explore how crewed-uncrewed teaming can enhance situational awareness and improve mission outcomes through a flight demonstration’ with the Airbus H225M medium lift helicopter operated by the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF) and Airbus Helicopters’ Flexrotor Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS).

DSTA’s Chief Executive Ng Chad-Son said in an Airbus Helicopters’ statement, “Crewed-uncrewed teaming offers the great potential to support more effective air operations in complex environments. Working with Airbus Helicopters, we will be able to combine our engineering expertise to unlock new possibilities in helicopter-drone integration.”

CEO of Airbus Helicopters, Bruno Even said, “The collaboration between helicopters and UAS is a revolution in how we approach mission effectiveness. Synergising the strengths of highly skilled pilots with the advanced capabilities of uncrewed systems unlocks unprecedented operational flexibility.”

Flexrotor UAS | Photo: Airbus

Flexrotor UAS

The Flexrotor is a Vertical Take-Off and Landing (VTOL) uncrewed aircraft with a maximum launch weight of 25 kilograms, designed for ISTAR missions for more than 12-14 hours in a typical operational configuration, according to Airbus Helicopters. The company called the new system ‘ideal for expeditionary missions requiring minimal footprint,’ because of its ‘ ability to autonomously launch and recover from either land or sea requiring only a 3.7 by 3.7 m (12 by 12 ft.) area.’ The Flexrotor can carry a variety of payloads depending on operator requirements.

Airbus said it will pair up the H225M helicopter with the Flexrotor via its ‘crewed-uncrewed teaming system called HTeaming,’ which will be ‘integrated on board the RSAF’s H225M, allowing its crew to take full control of the Flexrotor.’

HTeaming

HTeaming is a new, modular, crewed-uncrewed teaming system developed by Airbus that ‘currently features a modem, four antennas, a tablet and software.’ Airbus unveiled the HTeaming system earlier this month, ‘designed to be operated by a standard helicopter crew, with a reduced workload.’ In a separate statement, the company said ‘the system has already been tested in flight, including in May 2025 with a Spanish Navy H135 helicopter and an Airbus Flexrotor UAS.’ HTeaming can also be deployed as a standalone solution, without integration on a helicopter.

Head of UAS at Airbus Helicopters, Victor Gerin Roze, said, “Buildling on our experience as both a helicopter and UAS manufacturer and our extensive know-how as system integrators, we are offering a system that is both modular and agnostic. HTeaming is a solution that has been developed to be easily integrated on any type of helicopter and to take control of any type of UAS, it will be available for helicopter operators from 2026,” while adding, “We believe that UAS are force multipliers for helicopters. Using the sensors and effectors of uncrewed systems, rotorcraft crews will be able to conduct their missions more efficiently and in a safer way.”

The company said in its statement, ‘The operational demonstration will be set up to show the efficiency of Airbus’ teaming solution and the added value of cooperation between crewed helicopters and uncrewed aerial systems.’ 

Even called the H225M a ‘proven platform’ and said, “I am sure that by working with Singapore’s DSTA and the RSAF we will be able to demonstrate the added value of teaming and how it can further extend the capabilities of the H225M.”   

Separately, Airbus Helicopters also announced an order for six Flexrotor uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) comprising 17 aircraft from Australia’s Drone Forge, ‘making it the single largest order for the Flexrotor to date.’ Notably, each UAS ‘will also incorporate Starlink connectivity, enabling beyond-line-of-sight operations and real-time situational awareness.’