- Airbus won a $35 million framework contract from the European Maritime Safety Agency to provide maritime surveillance services using the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system.
- The contract supports coast guard missions across EU states, Norway, and Iceland, with operations scheduled to begin in 2026 and run for up to four years.
Airbus has been awarded a €30 million ($35 million) framework contract by the European Maritime Safety Agency to provide remotely piloted aircraft system services using the Flexrotor uncrewed aerial system, expanding Europe’s maritime surveillance capabilities ahead of operations scheduled to begin in 2026.
According to a press release from Airbus, the contract will support multipurpose maritime surveillance missions for coast guard authorities by offering extended coastal coverage and long-endurance flight operations. The agreement marks the first time the Flexrotor system will be flown operationally in Europe.
“We are proud to partner with the European Maritime Safety Agency on this turnkey contract which allows the Flexrotor to fly operationally for the first time in Europe and to serve the critical mission of enhancing maritime surveillance,” said Victor Gerin-Roze, Head of Uncrewed Aerial Systems at Airbus Helicopters.
“We have conducted multiple demonstration flights with the Flexrotor across Europe, showcasing its long endurance and the variety of systems it can carry, which is unique for a UAS of this size. We welcome the opportunity to demonstrate in Europe why the Flexrotor is the leading high-performance, reliable solution for this mission profile,” he added.
Under the contract, Airbus will deliver full RPAS services centered on flight operations using the Flexrotor platform. The system will provide electro-optical and infrared imagery as well as radar data, which will be streamed in real time to the EMSA RPAS Data Centre. National authorities from participating states will be able to monitor missions live through the centralized system.
EMSA said the services will directly support coast guard missions including search and rescue operations, fisheries control, environmental protection, and the detection of illicit maritime activities. These missions are a core responsibility for maritime authorities as Europe faces increasing pressure from irregular migration routes, illegal fishing, pollution incidents, and cross-border maritime crime.
The Flexrotor services will be available to national competent authorities of European Union member states, as well as Norway and Iceland. Relevant EU institutions will also have access to the surveillance data produced under the program. According to Airbus, the contract allows for two parallel operational deployments at the same time, with take-off sites located in any participating country. Additional parallel operations can be added if requested by EMSA.
The initial framework contract covers a two-year period, with options for two additional one-year extensions. If all options are exercised, the total service period could extend to four years. Airbus said service delivery is scheduled to begin in 2026, with operations carried out by French service provider Extensee.
The Flexrotor is a vertical takeoff and landing uncrewed aircraft designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance missions. The platform has a launch weight of 25 kilograms, or about 55 pounds, and is capable of flying for more than 12 to 14 hours in a typical operational configuration. In the EMSA configuration, endurance is expected to reach around 10 hours.
As noted by the company, the Flexrotor can integrate a range of payloads, including electro-optical systems and advanced sensors tailored to specific mission requirements. Its autonomous launch and recovery capability allows it to operate from either land or sea using a footprint of just 3.7 by 3.7 meters, making it suitable for expeditionary missions with limited infrastructure.
Airbus has positioned the Flexrotor as a flexible platform for maritime environments, where endurance, rapid deployment, and minimal logistical demands are key operational requirements.