The missions form part of a €30 million framework contract awarded to Airbus Helicopters by EMSA in December 2025. The agreement covers remotely piloted aircraft services for multipurpose maritime surveillance across the European Union.
Airbus is delivering the programme with Extensee, which operates the U030 Flexrotor as a subcontracted service provider. Operations began after a series of test flights used to validate technical and regulatory requirements and support the handover to Extensee.
The Baltic deployment moves the programme from qualification into active surveillance work for national authorities. It also establishes the U030 Flexrotor within EMSA’s wider remotely piloted aircraft services framework.
The aircraft carries electro-optical and infrared sensors alongside radar payloads. Surveillance data is transmitted in real time to the EMSA RPAS Data Centre.
Participating national authorities can follow missions live and integrate the resulting information into their operational workflows. The service supports search and rescue, fisheries control, environmental monitoring and the detection of illicit maritime activity.
“We are pleased to see the U030 Flexrotor begin operational service under the EMSA framework, marking its first operational deployment in Europe and supporting the critical mission of enhancing maritime surveillance,” said Victor Gerin-Roze, Head of Uncrewed Aerial Systems at Airbus Helicopters. “The start of operations in the Baltics demonstrates its ability to operate effectively in diverse maritime theatres while supporting critical coast guard functions.”
“Through this contract, we contribute to protecting Europe and strengthening its sovereignty, and we take pride in this commitment.” The deployment gives Airbus an operational role in a surveillance framework designed for use across participating European countries.
Airbus Helicopters is responsible for managing and coordinating RPAS operations under the EMSA arrangement. The framework is designed to support several deployments running simultaneously across participating countries.
Extensee operates the U030 Flexrotor during the missions. Airbus retains responsibility for overall management and coordination of the service.
The start of operations gives EMSA and participating national authorities access to a new uncrewed surveillance capability in the Baltic region. For Airbus, it marks the transition of the U030 Flexrotor into operational European service under a multi-country maritime surveillance programme.
