Helsing, a leading European AI-infused weapons manufacturer, has announced the launch of the CA-1 Electronic Attack or CA-1EA, an uncrewed, AI-powered aircraft “designed for electronic warfare.” It joins the company’s kinetic attack drone as the first two weapons based on its original airframe produced by Helsing subsidiary Grob.
The drone, which is based on the company’s original CA-1 Europa platform, is designed to “overcome modern air defence systems” while targeting reconnaissance systems on the battlefield. Another drone, called the CA-1KA, will be used for so-called kinetic attacks designed to do physical damage on the battlefield.
The CA-1EA will work in conjunction with the CA-1KA to prevent communications jamming and electronic incursions.
“Modern air forces cannot do without electronic warfare,” said Stephanie Lingemann, Vice President Air Domain at Helsing. “Helsing has been working to develop this capability for years. The CA-1EA is the result: an unmanned system that operates alongside the CA-1KA at tactical range, but can also be deployed flexibly as a standalone platform for electronic warfare.”
Both drones are the same, but each one carries a different payload, said the company. Further, the CA-1EA will “create safe corridors” for crewed and uncrewed aircraft, allowing both the AI-powered drones and humans to work in concert on missions.
According to FlightGlobal, the KA platform should be in full production by 2029 with test flights beginning in 2027. The EA platform should be in production by 2031.
The EA will run a Kaeletron jammer produced by Hensoldt. Both drones will most likely carry air-to-surface weapons, while the KA could also carry air-to-air weapons payloads.
