Helsing unveils CA-1 Europa, an autonomous fighter jet to boost European air combat capability

The aircraft combines Helsing’s Centaur AI autonomy stack with Grob’s expertise in three-to-five tons-class design and production. Tailored for intelligent mass, CA-1 Europa is designed as a scalable, resilient platform for European supply chains, capable of high subsonic speeds and multi-role missions.

The jet integrates an advanced operating system for sensors, effectors, and self-protection, with Helsing also delivering a Command-and-Control system for complex missions. The platform is natively controllable by Helsing’s Centaur AI pilot and can operate independently or as part of a swarm, including for deep precision strikes.

Helsing’s Co-Founder and Co-CEO, Torsten Reil, said: “Uncrewed fighter jets will become a key capability for establishing air dominance and keeping us safe. Europe cannot afford to fall behind in this category or become dependent on third parties. With CA-1 Europa, we will make sure this does not happen.”

Stephanie Lingemann, Helsing’s Senior Director Air Domain, stated: “The future of combat air is in attritable systems, with software and intelligence as a key enabling technology. As a consequence, the CA-1 Europa has autonomy at its core.”

Ned Baker, Helsing’s UK Managing Director, added: “With Grob Aircraft, we already supply essential training aircraft to the Royal Air Force. CA-1 Europa will offer the RAF unprecedented combat air capability – an autonomous collaborative platform that can undertake a number of different missions to protect the UK without putting British pilots in harm’s way.”

Source: Helsing (press release).