Airbus technologies take the spotlight at one of the world’s largest defence and security exhibitions

Meeting today’s defence and security challenges requires increasingly connected solutions, as underscored by Airbus’ diversified product lines that were exhibited during this month’s Eurosatory international exhibition near Paris.

One of the capabilities highlighted at Eurosatory was Airbus’ hybrid networks, bringing seamless connectivity management services spanning disparate networks – whether digital or analogue; and deployed on the ground, in the air or in space.

Airbus’ solution provides collaboration between networks having their own characteristics, without the need to create a new network. The company’s offer addresses a wide range of users’ requirements, including government customers (defence and public safety) as well as commercial operators (large corporations and critical infrastructure).

Key features of Airbus hybrid networks include intelligent tactical routing, authentication that ensures end-to-end security, and the adaptability to such new technologies as SDN (software defined networking) and NFV (network function virtualisation).

Augmented decision-making

The Eurosatory exhibition also provided the venue for Airbus’ display of its augmented decision-making capabilities with the innovative “Holographic Tactical Sandbox.” Using augmented reality technology and high-resolution 3D imagery to create a holographic map, the “Holographic Tactical Sandbox” creates a highly accurate representation of the battlefield that is viewable via augmented reality helmets.

This decision-making tool provides real-time shared situational awareness and enhanced mission effectiveness, enabling operators to view information and create situations for mission preparation, mission briefings and rehearsals – which then can be shared with higher decision-making levels of command.

The “Holographic Tactical Sandbox” is interoperable with Airbus’ Fortion® TacticalC2 tactical battle management software – a single software solution for use throughout the command chain with automatic data synchronisation.

A greater focus on connectivity

The connectivity theme at Eurosatory extended as well to Airbus’ agile imagery capabilities. It brings “space-eye” views from Airbus-built smart constellations of radar and optical satellites together with real-time video and information using the company’s Zephyr high altitude pseudo-satellite (HAPS), as well as images from enduring drones at high, medium and low altitudes (illustrated at Eurosatory by the ALIACA and DVF 2000 ER unmanned aerial vehicles from Airbus’ Survey Copter subsidiary, and the VSR 700 rotary-wing system developed for naval applications based on Airbus helicopter expertise).

Eurosatory visitors are given a demonstration of Airbus’ innovative “Holographic Tactical Sandbox” decision-making tool, which provides real-time shared situational awareness and enhanced mission effectiveness

Airbus is showcasing an array of innovative products for modern defence and security solutions at Eurosatory

Mock-ups of helicopters, drones and the latest in intelligence networks on show

Paris, Airbus Helicopters and Airbus Defence and Space will be showcasing an array of products, destined to providing defence and security solutions worldwide with their most innovative solutions, at their booth C158 in Hall 5A at Eurosatory this year.

Airbus Helicopters’ display includes a scale mock-up of the H160M that was selected in the frame of the French Joint Light Helicopter program (HIL) that aims at replacing six types of helicopters in service in the three French armies. A new generation aircraft, the H160 will enter into service in the French Armed Forces, giving them a modern and high performing helicopter that has a low logistical footprint and that will be operational for the next 30 years. A scale mock-up of the H145M, alongside an HForce demonstrator, will also be on show. The H145M equipped with HForce recently performed ballistic and laser guided rocket testing ahead of delivery to launch customer Serbia later this year. The aircraft also recently demonstrated the highest level of manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities further enhancing its operational capabilities.

Also on display, the VSR700 is Airbus Helicopters’ rotary wing unmanned aerial system designed to fulfil the demanding requirements of global navies. With the best coverage of any VUAS it can operate from small corvettes to major warships in the most demanding conditions.

Last but not least, Airbus Helicopters’ display is equipped with dedicated corners on its Fleet Availability Management, Material Management, and Hcare Services.

A scale mock-up of the Airbus Zephyr will be on show. Running exclusively on solar power and flying above the weather and above conventional air traffic, the Airbus Zephyr systems fill a capability gap and are complimentary to satellites, UAVs and manned aircraft providing affordable, persistent, local satellite-like services.

Full scale mock-ups of the Survey Copter mini tactical drones, DVF 2000 VT/ ALIACA and the DVF 2000 ER will be presented. The DVF 2000 VT / ALIACA provides a 360° panoramic coverage thanks to the positioning of its vertical turret, and can perform intelligence missions from 10 to 50 km range. The DVF 2000 VT / Aliaca in its previous version has been deployed by Special Forces worldwide and is perfectly adapted for maritime missions using a dedicated net landing solution. With its thermal propulsion with electronic fuel injection, the DVF 2000 ER is a high endurance versatile system allowing 8 hours missions over a 50 kilometers range.

Airbus will be presenting its solutions for land and satellite communication networks that are already in use by the most modern armed forces worldwide. For the first time at Eurosatory, Airbus will perform demonstrations of its Hybrid Networks solution. This new generation of intelligent network solutions enables the aggregation of all of the infrastructure or tactical networks regardless of whether they are land, mobile or satellite based.

Airbus Defence and Space will also showcase the ‘Holographic Tactical Sandbox’, a highly innovative tool designed to facilitate mission preparation by providing a 3D holographic map viewable in an augmented reality helmet. Integrated into the chain of command, this tool provides an accurate 3D representation of the battlefield using information supplied by Airbus’ Fortion® TacticalC2 application. Operators can view and create information, which is then shared with higher decision-making levels of command.

Furthermore, Airbus Defence and Space will exhibit its geospatial intelligence centre which allows its customers to manage the whole intelligence process from the collection and visualisation to the utilisation and distribution of information on one single intuitive and secure platform. This center provides its customers with the full capability and infrastructure to securely and effectively coordinate large-scale and complex defence missions with a large number of operators.