This article is based on an official press release from Airbus.

Airbus and Singapore Successfully Demonstrate Manned-Unmanned Teaming in “HTeaming” Trials

Helicopters and Singapore’s Defence Science and Technology Agency (DSTA) have successfully concluded a flight campaign demonstrating advanced manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) capabilities. Announced on February 5, 2026, the trials marked a significant step in the modernization of the Republic of Singapore Air Force (RSAF), proving the operational viability of controlling uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) directly from a helicopter cockpit.

The campaign, dubbed “HTeaming,” integrated an Airbus Flexrotor tactical drone with an RSAF H225M medium-lift helicopter. According to the official announcement, the trials took place in Singapore and utilized a simulated Search and Rescue (SAR) scenario to test the system’s limits. The successful demonstration validates the concept of extending a helicopter crew’s situational awareness beyond their visual range while keeping the manned aircraft at a safe distance from potential threats.

Operational Details of the HTeaming Trials

The core of the HTeaming trials involved a high-level integration of hardware and software that allowed the H225M crew to exercise full command and control over the Flexrotor drone. Airbus stated that the system setup included a specialized modem, four antennas, a tablet interface, and mission software installed directly on the helicopter.

Mission Capabilities

During the trials, which were physically conducted in January 2026 before the February announcement, the system successfully established a real-time data link between the two aircraft. The helicopter crew received live video and sensor data from the Flexrotor, allowing for rapid target identification and decision-making. This capability is particularly critical in complex missions where “eyes on target” are required before committing a manned asset to a high-risk zone.

Olivier Michalon, Executive Vice President of Global Business at Airbus Helicopters, emphasized the tactical advantage provided by this integration:

By leveraging the strengths of both platforms, air commanders are enabled with unprecedented situational awareness in complex missions and high-risk environments.

Strategic Context: RSAF Modernization

This collaboration aligns with the RSAF’s broader “SAF 2040” transformation strategy. The air force has been actively pursuing a “high-low mix” approach, combining high-end manned platforms like the H225M and F-35 with cost-effective unmanned systems. The partnership between Airbus and DSTA began formally in June 2025, leading rapidly to these flight trials less than a year later.

Ang Jer Meng, Director of Air Systems at DSTA, highlighted the forward-looking nature of the success in the press statement:

This achievement gives us confidence to move further to redefine the boundaries of what’s possible for more dynamic operations. The successful teaming is a game-changer for modern tactical operations.

Technical Specifications

The trials relied on specific technical capabilities of the involved aircraft, as detailed in the release and supporting technical data:

• Airbus Flexrotor: A tactical VTOL (Vertical Take-Off and Landing) drone with an endurance of 12–14 hours in its ISTAR configuration. It requires a launch footprint of only 12×12 feet.
• H225M Helicopter: A combat-proven medium-lift platform used by the RSAF for Combat Search and Rescue (CSAR) and tactical transport.
• Integration Kit: Designed to be “UAS-agnostic,” the HTeaming kit is modular and compatible across the Airbus helicopter range, including the H145 and H160.

AirPro News Analysis

The speed at which Airbus and DSTA moved from agreement (June 2025) to successful trial (January 2026) underscores the maturity of current MUM-T technologies. For Airbus, this is a critical proof-of-concept for the export market. By creating a modular, agnostic kit rather than a proprietary “walled garden,” Airbus positions itself to upgrade existing fleets globally, not just sell new airframes.

For Singapore, this reinforces the nation’s status as a premier technology adopter in the Asia-Pacific region. The ability to retrofit the existing H225M fleet with drone-control capabilities effectively acts as a force multiplier, expanding the fleet’s reconnaissance reach without the cost of acquiring additional manned surveillance aircraft.

Sources

Sources: Airbus Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from Embraer.

Embraer Secures Long-Term Support Contract for Hungarian C-390 Fleet

Embraer has officially signed a comprehensive service agreement with the Hungarian Air Force to provide long-term support for its fleet of C-390 Millennium transport aircraft. The contract, announced by the manufacturer, is designed to ensure the operational readiness and availability of the two aircraft recently delivered to the NATO member nation.

According to the company’s announcement, the agreement encompasses a wide range of services, including logistics, maintenance, and technical support. This move marks a shift from the acquisition phase to the sustainment phase, ensuring that Hungary’s newly completed fleet remains mission-ready through Embraer’s expanding support infrastructure in Europe.

Scope of Support and European Infrastructure

The service agreement leverages Embraer’s established “European footprint” to deliver maintenance and logistical solutions. While the aircraft are based in Hungary, the support network is anchored significantly in Portugal.

Industry data indicates that OGMA, an Embraer group company located in Alverca, Portugal, serves as the primary authorized service center for the region. Additionally, the newly established “Embraer Defense Europe” office in Lisbon coordinates these regional defense initiatives, facilitating cooperation among NATO operators of the C-390 platform.

The primary objective of this contract is to maintain the high reliability rates the fleet has already demonstrated. According to Embraer, the Hungarian C-390s have achieved a mission completion rate exceeding 99% since entering service, a statistic the manufacturer aims to uphold through this new support framework.

Fleet Capabilities and Configuration

Hungary holds a unique position within the C-390 user group. It is the second NATO nation, following Portugal, to operate the aircraft, and the first to receive its full order of two units. The delivery timeline proceeded as follows:

• First Aircraft: Delivered in September 2024.
• Second Aircraft: Delivered in November 2025.

First-in-Class Medical Evacuation

A key differentiator for the Hungarian fleet is its specialized configuration. These aircraft are the first in the world to be equipped with a Roll-on/Roll-off Intensive Care Unit (ICU). This modular system allows the Hungarian Air Force to rapidly convert the tactical transport into a flying hospital, capable of performing complex Medical Evacuation (MEDEVAC) and humanitarian missions.

In a statement regarding the aircraft’s versatility, Embraer noted:

“The Hungarian C-390 is the first in the world with a Roll-on/Roll-off Intensive Care Unit in its configuration, allowing the aircraft to perform humanitarian missions and Medical Evacuation.”

Beyond medical missions, the aircraft retains the standard multi-mission capabilities of the C-390 Millennium, including the transport of 26 tons of cargo, air-to-air refueling (AAR), and operation from unpaved runways.

Regional Context and Market Expansion

The agreement with Hungary arrives amidst a broader adoption of the C-390 Millennium across Europe. As nations look to replace aging tactical airlift fleets, specifically the C-130 Hercules, the C-390 has secured orders or selections from several European operators.

Current and future European operators include:

• Portugal: Currently operating 5 aircraft.
• Netherlands & Austria: A joint order for 9 aircraft (5 for the Netherlands, 4 for Austria), with deliveries anticipated to begin around 2026/2027.
• Czech Republic: Ordered 2 aircraft.
• Sweden: Selected the C-390 platform in late 2024.

AirPro News Analysis

The signing of this service agreement highlights a critical maturity milestone for the C-390 program in Europe. While securing orders is the first hurdle for any defense contractor, establishing a reliable, regional logistics network is essential for long-term retention and operational success.

By anchoring support in Portugal through OGMA and the Lisbon office, Embraer is effectively creating a NATO-interoperable support hub. This strategy not only services existing clients like Hungary and Portugal but also prepares the groundwork for the incoming fleets from the Netherlands, Austria, and Sweden. For Hungary, the specific focus on the ICU configuration underscores a growing trend among smaller NATO air forces to acquire dual-use assets that provide high value in both military logistics and civilian humanitarian aid.

Sources:
Embraer Press Release

This article is based on an official press release from the U.S. Coast Guard and background legislative data.

Coast Guard Accepts 18th Mission-Ready HC-130J for Sacramento Fleet Expansion

The United States Coast Guard is finalizing delivery activities this week for its 18th fully missionized HC-130J Super Hercules long-range surveillance aircraft. According to an official announcement from the service, the military-aircraft, designated CGNR 2018, is being accepted at the L3Harris Integrated Mission Systems facility in Waco, Texas.

This delivery marks the culmination of a complex two-stage procurement process. While the “green” (baseline) aircraft was originally delivered by manufacturers Lockheed Martin in January 2025, it has spent the last year undergoing specialized “missionization” upgrades. These modifications transform the standard transport airframe into a sophisticated surveillance asset capable of executing the Coast Guard’s diverse maritime missions.

The acceptance of CGNR 2018 is a critical step in the service’s recapitalization efforts. This specific airframe is slated to support the transition of Air Station Sacramento, California, which is shifting from the smaller C-27J Spartan to the larger, more capable HC-130J platform.

The Missionization Process

The journey from a factory-fresh aircraft to a deployable Coast Guard asset involves significant technological integration. According to the Coast Guard’s acquisition directorate, the aircraft underwent approximately one year of modifications at the L3Harris facility in Waco. This process integrates the service’s proprietary systems into the commercial airframe.

Key upgrades installed during this period include the Minotaur Mission System Suite. This government-owned, open-architecture system acts as the central nervous system of the aircraft, integrating sensors, Radar-Systems, and communications equipment. It allows crew members to gather and process surveillance data in real-time, a vital capability for search and rescue (SAR) and interdiction operations.

“The Coast Guard is completing final delivery activities this week for its 18th fully missionized HC-130J long range surveillance aircraft, designated CGNR 2018.”

, U.S. Coast Guard Press Release

Technical Enhancements

In addition to the Minotaur suite, the missionization process equips the Super Hercules with the AN/APY-11 Multimode Radar, designed to track maritime targets even in high seas and adverse weather conditions. The aircraft also received the Block 8.1 upgrade, which includes enhanced inter-communication systems, improved approach and landing capabilities, civil GPS integration, and expanded diagnostic tools.

Strategic Deployment and Funding

The delivery of CGNR 2018 is part of a broader strategy to modernize the Coast Guard’s fixed-wing fleet. The service plans to acquire a fleet of at least 22 HC-130Js to replace the aging legacy HC-130H models. The new J-models offer significant performance improvements, including a 20 percent increase in speed and a 40 percent increase in range compared to their predecessors.

This procurement is supported by substantial legislative investment. According to background research on recent appropriations, the funding for this aircraft stems from the “One Big Beautiful Bill Act” (OBBBA), signed in July 2025. This legislative package allocated approximately $25 billion to the Coast Guard, with $1.1 billion specifically designated for the procurement of six HC-130J aircraft and associated simulators.

AirPro News Analysis

The assignment of CGNR 2018 to Air Station Sacramento represents a significant shift in West Coast maritime capability. By transitioning from the C-27J Spartan to the HC-130J, the station will gain the ability to conduct longer patrols further offshore. The HC-130J’s range of approximately 4,900 nautical miles and endurance of over 20 hours will allow for extended search and rescue operations deep into the Pacific, a capability that is increasingly vital as maritime traffic and operational demands grow. We view this as a strategic consolidation of heavy airlift and surveillance resources on the Pacific Rim.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between the “green” delivery and the final delivery?

The “green” delivery refers to the handover of the basic airframe from the manufacturer (Lockheed Martin). The final delivery occurs after the aircraft has been outfitted with specific Coast Guard sensors and mission systems by a contractor (L3Harris).

Where will the new aircraft be based?

CGNR 2018 is scheduled to operate out of Air Station Sacramento, California.

How does the HC-130J compare to the older H-model?

The J-model features advanced engines and avionics, providing a 20% increase in speed and a 40% increase in operational range over the legacy HC-130H.

Sources: U.S. Coast Guard