Japan’s Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) has signed a memorandum of understanding (MOU) with Airbus Defence and Space (Airbus D&S) to collaborate on long-endurance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The agreement covers operations combining the Eurodrone with KHI’s P-1 maritime patrol aircraft, with particular attention to anti-submarine warfare.
KHI is Japan’s second-largest defense contractor. Airbus D&S is the military aircraft and space systems division of Airbus. Airbus has worked with KHI and other Japanese companies for decades, but this agreement takes the relationship to a new level of military cooperation.
Currently under development, the Eurodrone is a large, twin-engine, remotely piloted aircraft with a 30-meter wingspan. A medium-altitude, long-endurance UAV, it can cruise at altitudes up to 12,200 meters (40,000 feet) for up to 40 hours and has a maximum payload capacity of 2.3 tons, excluding fuel.
