Airbus Helicopters Outlines “Three-Horizon” Innovation Strategy for 2026

Airbus Helicopters is refining its approach to aerospace development, moving away from purely theoretical concepts toward a pragmatic strategy focused on autonomy, military interoperability, and high-speed efficiency. In a recent feature released on January 9, 2026, Denis Descheemaeker, Head of Research and Innovation at Airbus Helicopters, detailed the manufacturer’s “collaborative bubble” concept and its roadmap for the coming decade.

The strategy, described as a “Three-Horizon” approach, seeks to balance immediate safety improvements with long-term disruptive technologies. According to Descheemaeker, the company is prioritizing technologies that deliver measurable operational benefits, such as the high-speed Racer demonstrator, over projects that lack immediate industrial maturity.

The “Three-Horizon” Strategic Framework

Descheemaeker outlines a comprehensive timeline designed to secure the manufacturer’s competitive edge while addressing immediate pilot needs. This framework allows Airbus to manage resources between upgrading legacy platforms and developing next-generation systems.

• Short Term: The focus is on safety and workload reduction. This involves automating flight controls and deploying next-generation avionics to reduce pilot stress during complex missions.
• Medium Term: The objective shifts to “disruptive capabilities.” This includes upgrading existing platforms, such as the NH90, with research-derived features and implementing hybridization to improve fuel efficiency.
• Long Term: The strategy targets fully autonomous systems and new aircraft architectures, specifically centering on Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T).

The “Collaborative Bubble”: Manned-Unmanned Teaming

A central pillar of the long-term strategy is the integration of crewed helicopters with uncrewed systems, a concept Descheemaeker refers to as the “collaborative bubble.” In this operational model, the helicopter serves as a command center, controlling drones to extend the crew’s situational awareness and operational reach.

This capability was demonstrated during the MUSHER project, a European Defence Fund initiative. In October 2024, Airbus achieved “Level of Interoperability 4” (LOI 4), successfully controlling a drone directly from a helicopter cockpit. The demonstration utilized an Airbus H130 Flightlab and a VSR700 drone operating alongside assets from Leonardo.

“The quest for autonomy begins with understanding the environment surrounding the helicopter… enabling collaboration between crewed and uncrewed systems. This was a joint project, showing that we can work with partners and even competitors to defend Europe and NATO.”

, Denis Descheemaeker, Head of Research and Innovation at Airbus Helicopters

The successful demonstration proved that assets from different manufacturers and nations could communicate on a single network, a critical requirement for future European defense autonomy. Potential use cases include anti-piracy operations, where drones scout ahead of the main aircraft, and firefighting, where tandem drones monitor heat zones.

High-Speed Efficiency: The Racer Demonstrator

While autonomy defines the digital future, the Racer demonstrator represents the company’s aerodynamic achievements. The high-speed rotorcraft has become a flagship success story for the 2025–2026 period. In April 2025, the Racer achieved a cruise speed of 240 knots (444 km/h), surpassing its original performance targets.

Beyond speed, the Racer is a testbed for hybridization. It features a unique “Eco-Mode” propulsion system that allows one of its two Aneto-1X engines to be paused during cruise flight. This capability reduces fuel consumption by approximately 25% compared to conventional helicopters of similar weight.

Descheemaeker noted the dual objectives of this technology:

“Our objectives here are twofold: to increase safety with electric assistance in the event of failure, but also… to make the helicopter quieter.”

AirPro News Analysis: The Shift from eVTOL Hype to Pragmatism

While the official release highlights the successes of the Racer and MUSHER programs, the broader context of Airbus Helicopters’ 2026 strategy reveals a significant pivot regarding Urban Air Mobility (UAM). Industry reports indicate that the commercial launch of the CityAirbus NextGen eVTOL has been paused as of early 2026.

This decision aligns with Descheemaeker’s emphasis on pragmatism. Leadership has cited battery maturity as a primary hurdle, noting that current technology does not yet meet the safety and performance standards required for a viable commercial product. By shifting the CityAirbus NextGen back to a research status rather than an imminent product launch, Airbus is avoiding the “hype trap” that has plagued other eVTOL startups.

Instead, the company is leveraging its “Flying Laboratories”, including the Flightlab (H130), DisruptiveLab, and PioneerLab (H145), to mature the underlying technologies of electrification and automation before committing to serial production of air taxis. This reinforces the “Three-Horizon” strategy: prioritizing technologies that work today (like the Racer’s hybrid Eco-Mode) while continuing research into those required for tomorrow.

Sources

Airbus Helicopters

This article summarizes reporting by Runway Girl Network.

JETMS to Relocate Production to Lithuania, Reposition UK as Design Hub

Effective January 1, 2026, aircraft interior solutions provider JETMS will restructure its global operations, shifting manufacturing activities from the United Kingdom to Lithuania. According to reporting by Runway Girl Network, the subsidiary of Avia Solutions Group is undertaking this transition to optimize its supply chain and leverage specific regional strengths.

The reorganization involves a clear division of labor between the company’s two primary arms: JETMS Completions Ltd in the UK and JETMS Interiors UAB in Lithuania. As detailed in the coverage, the move aims to unify the brand’s capabilities, offering a comprehensive solution that spans initial design to final installation.

Strategic Division of Operations

Under the new structure, the company’s facility in Kaunas, Lithuania, will be designated as the Group’s “Production Centre of Excellence.” Reporting indicates that this division will assume responsibility for full-scale cabin manufacturing, refurbishment, and installation projects. The decision leverages the scale of the Lithuanian operations to handle heavy production tasks.

Conversely, the UK division, based at London Biggin Hill Airport, will pivot to become the “Centre of Excellence for Design and Engineering.” According to the announcement, the UK team will focus on high-value technical services, including:

• Bespoke cabin design and innovation.
• Engineering and certification (Supplemental Type Certificates).
• Research and development (R&D).
• Business development and modification programs.

This separation allows the UK branch to concentrate on intellectual property and precision engineering while the Lithuanian branch focuses on manufacturing output.

Facility Capabilities and Leadership

The transition relies heavily on the capacity of the Lithuanian infrastructure. The Kaunas facility spans approximately 65,000 square feet (6,000 square meters) and is equipped for comprehensive cabin production. Mindaugas Trapenskis, CEO of JETMS Interiors UAB, is set to lead this new production hub.

Stefan Chevalier, the CEO of JETMS, described the move as a logical step for the company’s expansion. In a statement cited by Runway Girl Network, Chevalier emphasized the synergy between the two locations:

“This strategic transition represents a natural evolution in our growth journey, enabling us to combine the design and engineering expertise of our UK team with world-class manufacturing capabilities in Lithuania.”

, Stefan Chevalier, CEO of JETMS

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AirPro News Analysis

We observe that this restructuring aligns with broader industry trends where aerospace companies seek to lower production costs while retaining high-level engineering talent in established aviation hubs like the UK. By moving labor-intensive manufacturing to Lithuania, a region where parent company Avia Solutions Group has a significant footprint, JETMS likely aims to reduce overheads and streamline logistics. Meanwhile, maintaining the “Centre of Excellence” in London ensures the company retains its prestige and certification authority in the highly regulated UK aviation market.

Sources

Runway Girl Network, Avia Solutions Group

This article is based on an official press release from KF Aerospace.

KF Aerospace Secures Certification for World’s First Boeing 737-800 Combi

On January 8, 2026, KF Aerospace announced a significant milestone in aviation engineering: the successful certification of the world’s first Boeing 737-800 Combi conversion. Transport Canada has issued Supplemental Type Certificate (STC) #SA25-72 to the Kelowna-based maintenance, repair, and overhaul (MRO) provider, officially approving the modification that transforms a standard passenger jet into a dual-purpose Commercial-Aircraft capable of carrying both freight and passengers on the main deck.

The launch customer for this program is Air Inuit, a carrier vital to Northern Quebec’s supply chain. According to the announcement, Air Inuit took Delivery of the first converted aircraft (Registration C-FTUW) in October 2025, with a second aircraft currently undergoing conversion. This Certification marks the culmination of a complex engineering Partnerships between KF Aerospace and Aeronautical Engineers, Inc. (AEI).

Technical Specifications and Configuration

The KF Aerospace conversion addresses a specific market need for flexibility by splitting the aircraft’s main deck into two distinct sections. Unlike standard freighters or passenger-only variants, this “Combi” configuration allows operators to maximize utility on routes where demand for both cargo and travel fluctuates.

Interior Layout and Capacity

According to the technical data released by KF Aerospace, the converted Boeing 737-800 features a split-deck layout:

• Forward Cargo Section: Capable of accommodating five full-height cargo pallets.
• Aft Passenger Cabin: Configured with 90 economy seats in a standard 3-3 layout.

To facilitate the loading of large freight, the conversion utilizes the AEI 737-800SF large cargo door (86″ x 137″). Safety remains paramount in this mixed-use environment; the aircraft is equipped with a fixed, rigid cargo bulkhead that serves as a smoke barrier between the freight and passenger compartments. Additionally, the Class B main deck cargo compartment features advanced pneumatic fire detection and Halon-based fire suppression systems.

Passenger Experience

Despite the industrial utility of the forward section, the aft cabin retains modern passenger amenities. The press release notes that the cabin includes a fully redesigned interior with large overhead bins, optimized LED lighting, and Starlink high-speed internet connectivity. The aircraft is also certified for medical stretcher installation, a critical capability for medical evacuations in remote regions.

“KF is proud to deliver a world-first solution that expands what’s possible in aircraft conversion… This project reflects the ingenuity, dedication, and deep technical expertise of our entire team.”

Gregg Evjen, President of KF Aerospace

Strategic Importance for Northern Operations

This program was developed specifically to replace the aging fleets of Boeing 737-200 Combi aircraft, which have served remote northern communities for over four decades. The 737-200 series has long been the workhorse of the Arctic due to its gravel runway capabilities, but these airframes are becoming increasingly difficult to maintain and fuel-inefficient.

According to KF Aerospace, the shift to the 737-800 platform offers a dramatic improvement in efficiency, reducing fuel emissions by approximately 40% compared to the legacy aircraft. This alignment with modern sustainability goals is a key driver for operators like Air Inuit.

“Creating unique solutions to cater to unique needs is part of Air Inuit’s DNA. Together with KF Aerospace, we are modernizing northern jet air services with our main focus of better serving Nunavik’s people.”

Christian Busch, CEO of Air Inuit

AirPro News Analysis: The Infrastructure Shift

While the fuel savings and modernization are clear benefits, AirPro News notes a significant operational distinction in this transition. The legacy Boeing 737-200 was famous for its ability to land on gravel runways, a necessity for many remote Arctic outposts. The Boeing 737-800, however, generally requires paved runways.

This technical limitation suggests a shift in logistics strategy for carriers like Air Inuit. We anticipate the new 737-800 Combis will likely serve as high-capacity “trunk” liners connecting major paved hubs (such as Montreal to Kuujjuaq), while smaller turboprops will likely handle the “last mile” distribution to communities with gravel strips. This evolution represents a modernization of the entire northern supply chain, moving away from single-aircraft direct service to a more segmented hub-and-spoke model.

Sources

Sources: KF Aerospace Press Release, Air Inuit Innovation Page