CA-1 Europa

CA-1 Europa is an autonomous fighter jet in the three-to-five ton class under development at Helsing and its subsidiary Grob Aircraft. Combining the Centaur AI software and mission stack with Grob’s proven capability in aircraft design and manufacturing, CA-1 represents a clean-slate approach to air dominance.

Helsing is working with leading partners in the European aerospace ecosystem to build the aircraft, with a focus on scalability and a resilient supply and logistics chain.

Multi-Role, Mass Producible

CA-1 Europa is tailored to the requirements of intelligent mass. The platform combines a mass-produceable airframe with powerful but affordable payload and advanced AI for situational awareness and mission execution. It is configured to complete missions as a single asset or as part of a swarm.

AI at the Core

CA-1 is engineered for fully autonomous operations in contested and denied environments. Leveraging Helsing’s Centaur AI pilot stack and advanced mission systems, the platform will deliver precise effects across a range of mission profiles.

Its modular architecture is designed to enable rapid capability evolution and integration of emerging threats.

Flexible and Sustainable Mass

CA-1 Europa will be deployable in large numbers for extended, high-tempo engagements. Designed to offer affordable, high-end force projection, the platform is optimised for dispersed logistics and operations from improvised locations with minimal infrastructure.

The modular air frame allows for rapid integration of new sensors, self-protection systems, electronic war fare equipment and effector capabilities.

Sovereign Design and Production

With its focus on sovereign software architecture and hardware design, manufacturing and supply chain, CA-1 combines the strength of the European aerospace ecosystem with the continent’s deep talent in AI and software engineering.

CA-1 will deliver advanced combat capability while strengthening strategic autonomy and supply chain security.

Operational Characteristics

Role
Multi-mission

Operation
Autonomous

Weapons Bay
Internal

Scale
Affordable mass

Logistics
Dispersed operations

AI and Software Components

CA-1 Europa development integrates three advanced AI systems addressing critical capability gaps in contested airspace.

Centaur AI for Autonomous Combat
Reinforcement-learning AI agent achieving human-level air combat performance with superior decision-making speed and tactical execution.

Cirra for Electronic Warfare
Deep learning-based EW system countering adaptive, software-defined IADS emitters, restoring EW superiority.

Symphony for Mission Operations
AI platform orchestrating capabilities across distributed assets, enabling rapid mission insights generation and capability updates.