Airbus Helicopters announced on Wednesday (22) that it has formally begun maritime surveillance operations in the Baltic Sea using the U030 Flexrotor tactical uncrewed aerial system, on a mission carried out on behalf of the European Maritime Safety Agency (EMSA).
EMSA contract and delivery partner
In December 2025, Airbus Helicopters secured a €30 million framework contract with EMSA to provide Remotely Piloted Aircraft Systems (RPAS) services for multifunction maritime surveillance across the European Union. The contract is being delivered in partnership with Extensee, which is responsible for operating the system.
The service entered service following a series of successful test flights. These flights confirmed the technical and regulatory requirements needed for operational launch and supported the handover of day-to-day operations to Extensee.
U030 Flexrotor Baltic Sea deployment with EMSA
The first operational deployment started in July in the Baltic Sea area, covering Estonia, Latvia and Finland. This marks the U030 Flexrotor’s debut in EMSA operations and strengthens support for the national authorities responsible for maritime surveillance.
“"We are pleased to see the U030 Flexrotor begin its operations under the EMSA contract, marking its first operational deployment in Europe and contributing to the important mission of strengthening maritime surveillance"”, said Victor Gerin-Roze, Head of Uncrewed Aerial Systems at Airbus Helicopters.
“"The start of operations in the Baltic demonstrates the platform’s ability to operate efficiently across different maritime scenarios, supporting essential coastguard functions. Through this contract, we contribute to Europe’s protection and to reinforcing its sovereignty, a commitment we are proud of."”
Sensors, real-time data and mission types
The service delivers operational intelligence via electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors and radar, transmitting information in real time to EMSA’s RPAS Data Centre. This enables national authorities to follow missions live and rapidly integrate the resulting data into their own operations.
The system is used for tasks including search and rescue, fisheries enforcement, environmental monitoring and the detection of unlawful maritime activity.
Operational management and Airbus naming changes
Under the EMSA contract, Airbus Helicopters oversees the coordination and management of operations, enabling the system to be deployed simultaneously across different participating countries, while Extensee acts as the service provider operating the U030 Flexrotor.
Airbus also said it has reorganised the naming of its entire uncrewed aerial systems line-up, marketed by the Helicopters and Defence and Space divisions, to align it with the naming conventions used for its helicopters and fixed-wing aircraft.
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