European defense technology company Helsing has unveiled its CA-1 Europa unmanned combat aircraft, presenting the design concept during a media event at its subsidiary Grob Aircraft's facility in Tussenhausen. The presentation was attended by Bavaria's Minister President Markus Söder and Helsing's co-supervisory board chairman Tom Enders, highlighting the significance of the project for European defense capabilities.
The CA-1 Europa is designed as a stealth combat bomber capable of operating deep in enemy territory using advanced artificial intelligence technology. The aircraft features a software-first approach that emphasizes complex software to maximize the efficiency of simpler hardware components. This design philosophy aims to create what the company describes as an 'intelligent mass' system where losses can be quickly compensated.
Helsing completed the design and construction of the CA-1 Europa concept in just 14 weeks, demonstrating the company's rapid innovation capabilities. The Munich-based startup plans to invest several hundred million euros to make the system flight-ready by 2027, with initial test flights scheduled for that year. A container village in Tussenhausen will serve as a development center to accelerate engineering work.
The unmanned combat jet will operate autonomously using Helsing's 'Centaur' AI system and can function either independently or in swarms. The multi-role platform features flexible software operating systems and can be equipped with various sensors, protection systems, and weaponry. Helsing, which became Germany's first defense unicorn with a valuation reaching €12 billion, has raised €1.6 billion in investor funding since its founding in 2021, including a €600 million funding round completed in June.
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