Airbus has signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) to analyse opportunities to work on a Japanese anti-submarine warfare variant of the U950 Eurodrone, Europe’s first Large Long Endurance Remotely Piloted Aircraft System (RPAS). Japan has held observer status in the Eurodrone program since 2023.
In the next step, Airbus will engage in discussions with KHI to develop options for the design, development, and commercialisation for a future Japanese maritime version of Eurodrone, including the definition of possible configurations, integration of Japanese sensors and effectors, and other potential workshare for Japanese industry during production and sustainment.
All this is intended to ensure that Japan can operate the Eurodrone sovereignly and without restrictions, should the country decide to acquire the RPAS.
According to Airbus, this collaboration with Japan is set to bolster the Eurodrone program while deepening the strategic framework of European-Japanese defence initiatives. Furthermore, insights gained from developing Japan’s specific variant are expected to provide substantial operational and logistical advantages for future European naval versions of Eurodrone.
The Eurodrone, a 4-nation program of Germany, France, Italy and Spain, led by the Organisation for Joint Armament Cooperation (OCCAR), is currently under development and is scheduled to take its first flight in 2029.
India is also an observer in the program. Airbus claims the Eurodorne can cover a wide range of missions - from airborne intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance to early warning and signals intelligence, as well as maritime patrol and anti-submarine warfare.
With a mission payload (excluding fuel) of up to 2.3 tonnes it can stay airborne for up to 40 hours, the company claims.