Helsing unveils CA-1 Europa, an autonomous fighter jet

Helsing, the leading European all-domain defence technology company, today unveiled the development of CA-1 Europa, an autonomous uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV). Helsing showed a full-size design study of the jet at its Grob Aircraft subsidiary. The production version is expected to be operational within the next four years and is being developed with industry partners across the European aerospace ecosystem.

Over the last four years, Helsing has built up a track record in future air system programmes and developed a series of AI-based air dominance algorithms such as Centaur, an autonomous jet fighter pilot. Centaur was demonstrated earlier this year with strategic partner Saab on the fighter jet Gripen.
 
With CA-1 Europa, Helsing is combining the Centaur autonomy stack with Grob’s proven capability in aircraft design and manufacturing in the three-to-five tons-class. Helsing is working with leading players in the European manufacturing ecosystem to build the aircraft with a focus on scalability and a resilient European supply and logistics chain. Development and testing of the CA-1 Europa is taking place at Grob Aircraft.
 
Designed as an autonomous multi-role jet achieving high subsonic speeds, CA-1 Europa is tailored to the requirements of intelligent mass. The platform combines a mass-produceable airframe with powerful but affordable payload and world-leading software for situational awareness and mission execution. It is configured to complete missions as a single asset or as part of a swarm.
 
CA-1 Europa features an advanced software operating system for flexible integration of sensors, self-protection systems, effectors and software applications. Helsing will also deliver a Command-and-Control system to support operators in planning, controlling and surveilling assets in complex autonomous missions. The platform is natively controllable by Helsing's Centaur AI pilot. CA-1 is suitable for various mission types, including deep precision strikes.

 
Helsing’s Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Torsten Reil, says: “Uncrewed fighter jets will become a key capability for establishing air dominance and keeping us safe. Europe cannot afford to fall behind in this category or become dependent on third parties. With CA-1 Europa, we will make sure this does not happen.”
 
Helsing’s Senior Director Air Domain, Stephanie Lingemann, says: “The future of combat air is in attritable systems, with software and intelligence as a key enabling technology. As a consequence, the CA-1 Europa has autonomy at its core.” 
 
Helsing’s UK Managing Director, Ned Baker, says: “With Grob Aircraft, we already supply essential training aircraft to the Royal Air Force. CA-1 Europa will offer the RAF unprecedented combat air capability – an autonomous collaborative platform that can undertake a number of different missions to protect the UK without putting British pilots in harm's way.”

For more information contact:

communications@helsing.ai