Szolnok, Hungary, July 24, 2023 – The Hungarian Defence Forces have received the first two of 16 H225M multi-purpose helicopters on schedule. The helicopter was officially handed over at Szolnok Airbase by Bruno Even, CEO of Airbus (OTC: EADSY) Helicopters. Additionally, Airbus is also providing an extensive training and support package to ensure the highest level of operational availability.
The H225Ms selected by Hungary are equipped with state-of-the-art communication capabilities and will be used for transport, combat search and rescue, and special operations missions. Its advanced avionics and four axis autopilot, exceptional range and payload capacities, combined with a large cabin designed to carry up to 24 troops and powerful air- to-ground and air-to-surface armament as well as electronic warfare systems allow the H225M to carry out the most demanding missions. The helicopter has an all-weather capability supported by its night vision goggle compatibility.
A part of the Hungarian H225M fleet will be fitted with the HForce weapon management system, adding air support capabilities thus creating further communality with the Hungarian H145M fleet also equipped with HForce. Flight trials have recently been conducted in Hungary as part of the integration of a gun pod and rocket launchers on the Hungarian H225M.
A member of the multi-role Super Puma family of helicopters, this military variant is currently operational in France, Brazil, Mexico, Malaysia, Indonesia, Thailand, Kuwait, and Singapore.
Airbus has begun shore-to-ship trials in
Singapore with its Skyways parcel delivery drone. This marks the first
time drone technology has been deployed in real port conditions to
deliver a variety of small, time-critical maritime essentials to working
vessels at anchorage.
The maiden shore-to-ship delivery flight was made to the Swire
Pacific Offshore’s Anchor Handling Tug Supply vessel “M/V Pacific
Centurion,” 1.5 km from the shoreline of Singapore’s Marina South Pier,
carrying 1.5 kg of 3D printed consumables. Landing safely on the ship
deck and depositing its cargo to the shipmaster, the Skyways unmanned
air vehicle swiftly returned to its base, with the entire flight taking
within 10 minutes.
The trials are being undertaken in conjunction with partner
Wilhelmsen Ships Services, one of the world’s leading maritime logistics
and port services company. During the trials, Airbus’ Skyways drone
will lift off from the pier with a payload capability of up to 4 kg, and
navigate autonomously along pre-determined ‘aerial corridors’ to
vessels as far as 3 km from the coast.
Airbus’ Skyways lead, Leo Jeoh, shared his excitement at the
milestone flight: “We are thrilled to launch the first trial of its kind
in the maritime world. Today’s accomplishment is a culmination of
months of intense preparation by our dedicated team, and the strong
collaboration with our partner, as we pursue a new terrain in the
maritime industry.”
“We are also happy to be taking a step forward for Airbus’ urban air
mobility endeavour, as we continue to explore and seek better
understanding of what it takes to fly safe and reliable autonomous
flying vehicles safely,” he added.
“The now proven, seamless operation of drone deliveries from shore to ship, in one of the world’s busiest ports proves the hard work, investment and faith we, and indeed our partners, placed in the Agency by Air project over the past two years was not misplaced,” said Marius Johansen, Vice President Commercial, Ships Agency at Wilhelmsen Ships Services.
“Delivery of essential spares, medical supplies and cash to master via launch boat, is an established part of our portfolio of husbandry services, which we provide day in and day out, in ports all over the world. Modern technology such as the unmanned aircraft systems, are just a new tool, albeit a very cool one, with which we can push our industry ever forward and improve how we serve our customers,” he added.
The use of unmanned aircraft systems in the maritime industry paves the way for possible enlargement of existing ship agency services’ portfolio, speeding up deliveries by up to six times, lowering delivery costs by up to 90%, reducing carbon footprint, and significantly mitigating risks of accidents associated with launch-boat deliveries
Airbus and Wilhelmsen Ships Services signed an agreement in June 2018 to drive the development of an end-to-end unmanned aircraft system for safe shore-to-ship deliveries. The collaboration marries Airbus’ extensive expertise in aeronautical vertical lift solutions and Wilhelmsen’s wealth of experience in ship agency services. A landing platform and control centre were set up at the Marina South Pier in November 2018, through the facilitation of the Maritime and Port Authority of Singapore. The maritime agency also designated anchorages for vessels to anchor off the pier for the trials, while the Civil Aviation Authority of Singapore worked with Airbus and Wilhelmsen to ensure safety of the trials.
Skyways is an experimental project aimed at establishing seamless
multi-modal transportation networks in smart cities. Through Skyways,
Airbus aims to develop an unmanned airborne infrastructure solution and
address the sustainability and efficiency of unmanned aircraft in large
urban and maritime environments.
Having demonstrated the ability to deliver parcels safely and
reliably to vessels anchored off the coast of Singapore, Skyways will
soon be commencing another trial phase delivering air parcels
autonomously in an urban environment, at the National University of
Singapore.
About Airbus Airbus is a global leader in aeronautics, space and related services. In 2018 it generated revenues of €64 and employed a workforce of around 134,000. Airbus offers the most comprehensive range of passenger airliners. Airbus is also a European leader providing tanker, combat, transport and mission aircraft, as well as one of the world’s leading space companies. In helicopters, Airbus provides the most efficient civil and military rotorcraft solutions worldwide.