L3Harris Joins Airbus to Integrate Systems on MQ-72C Unmanned Helicopter

L3Harris Technologies and Airbus U.S. Space & Defense have signed a teaming agreement to integrate mission systems on the Airbus MQ-72C Logistics Connector, an unmanned aerial vehicle based on the UH-72 Lakota helicopter.

Airbus will incorporate L3Harris’ system integration capabilities and digital backbone into the platform, supporting the U.S. Marine Corps’ future logistics and operational needs. The digital infrastructure will include integrated command-and-control nodes and a modular open systems architecture, allowing rapid integration of commercial hardware for greater mission flexibility.

The partnership is intended to provide the Marine Corps with evolving logistics support capabilities in distributed operations and contested zones. The collaboration aims to enhance operational effectiveness by delivering adaptable systems that can be configured for different mission sets.

The announcement comes as Airbus enters the second year of the Aerial Logistics Connector Middle Tier of Acquisition (MTA) Rapid Prototyping Program. The initiative seeks to deliver prototype unmanned logistics aircraft to the U.S. military and test their capabilities through operational demonstrations and field experimentation.

The MQ-72C is part of a broader U.S. Department of Defense effort to explore new logistics solutions in distributed environments, particularly for peer or near-peer conflict scenarios.