SURVEY Copter
Survey Copter, a French Airbus subsidiary founded in 1996, designs and manufactures tactical unmanned aerial systems (Aliaca, Flexrotor, Capa-X) for military and government customers, specializing in crewed-uncrewed teaming and autonomous naval operations.
- Company typePrivate
- Founded1996
- HeadquartersPierrelatte, France
- Headcount11–50
- GTM typeB2B
- OfferingHardware or Manufacturing
What SURVEY Copter does
Survey Copter is a French designer and manufacturer of tactical unmanned aerial systems (UAS), founded in 1996 and headquartered in Pierrelatte, France. The company operates as a wholly-owned subsidiary of Airbus, with its tactical UAS portfolio — Aliaca (fixed-wing/VTOL drone, 25-120 kg class), Flexrotor (long-endurance ISR), and Capa-X (multi-mission platform) — consolidated in October 2025 under the Airbus Helicopters division to form a unified product family and crewed-uncrewed center of excellence for defence customers.
Its technology stack is built around proprietary autonomy and integration assets: HTeaming for crewed-uncrewed teaming that lets helicopter crews control uncrewed systems in flight; MARS Autonomy for multi-agent mission autonomy across crewed and uncrewed platforms; DeckFinder for autonomous ship-deck landing; and real-time image and video processing for ISTAR (intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, reconnaissance) missions on systems such as VSR700 and SIRTAP. These capabilities are positioned as complements to Airbus's manned helicopter expertise rather than standalone drone offerings, with explicit emphasis on complex non-disposable systems in contrast to low-cost disposable Ukrainian-conflict-era drones.
Commercially, Survey Copter generates revenue from hardware sales (Aliaca, Capa-X; 30 units in 2026, targeting 60+ by 2027) and from UAS support and professional services delivered through Airbus DS Airborne Solutions GmbH, with quote-based procurement pricing typical of defence customers. End customers named in the dataset are the French Navy (VSR700) and US Navy (unmanned H145/Lakota delivery targeted by 2030), served through Airbus's enterprise field-sales motion and, increasingly, through European Defence Agency collaborative programs such as the €1.1 million M2UAS initiative that began in March 2026. Subsidiary-level revenue and management bios are not publicly disclosed, and headcount is scaling from 60 to 80 employees alongside a €2 million investment in a new Pierrelatte hangar.
SURVEY Copter firmographics
Firmographics- Name
- SURVEY Copter
- Legal name
- Survey Copter
- Website
- https://survey-copter.com
- Company type
- Private
- Founded year
- 1996
- Operating status
- Operating
- Headcount range
- 11–50 employees
- Short description
- Survey Copter, a French Airbus subsidiary founded in 1996, designs and manufactures tactical unmanned aerial systems (Aliaca, Flexrotor, Capa-X) for military and government customers, specializing in crewed-uncrewed teaming and autonomous naval operations.
- Ownership category
- akta.pro rank
SURVEY Copter industry classification
Industry- Product category
- Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems
- NAICS
- Search, Detection, Navigation, Guidance, Aeronautical, and Nautical System and Instrument Manufacturing (334511)
- SIC
- Search, Detection, Navagation, Guidance, Aeronautical Sys (3812), Aircraft (3721), Aircraft & Parts (3720)
- akta.pro primary industry
- Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms (IMABAMAC)
- akta.pro secondary industries
- Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV) (IMABAIAB), VTOL & Hybrid UAV Platforms (IMABAIAC), Autonomy Software, AI & Mission Management (UAS/UXV) (IMABAIAH), Autonomous Flight Control & Guidance Systems (UAS/Urban Air Mobility) (IMABAFAO)
Keywords
Where SURVEY Copter is headquartered
LocationHeadquarters
- HQ city
- Pierrelatte
- HQ country
- France
- HQ region
- Europe
Offices1 record
Markets served
SURVEY Copter business model
Business model- GTM type
- B2B
- Offering type
- Hardware or Manufacturing
- Cost components
- Personnel, Supply Chain, Technology or R&D, Operations, Infrastructure
Revenue model
- Drone Manufacturing and Sales: Manufacturing and selling tactical unmanned aerial systems (Aliaca, Capa-X, Flexrotor) to military and government customers. Production capacity of 30 units in 2026, with plans to double by 2027. Focus on complex, non-disposable systems rather than low-cost disposable models.
- UAS Support and Services: Comprehensive support services for UAS operations including training, maintenance, and operational support through Airbus DS Airborne Solutions GmbH.
Go-to-market motion1 record
Distribution channels2 records
Marketing channels3 records
SURVEY Copter product offering
Product offeringCore offering
SURVEY Copter designs, manufactures, and provides operational support for tactical mini unmanned aerial systems (UAS) used by military and government defence customers. Its product portfolio includes the Aliaca, Flexrotor, and Capa-X tactical drones, along with unmanned helicopter systems such as the VSR700. The company focuses on complex, non-disposable UAS designed to operate alongside manned aircraft for ISTAR, electronic warfare, naval, and crewed-uncrewed teaming missions.
Differentiator
Problem solved
Functional benefit
Brands
- Aliaca: Small to medium tactical drone system operated by Survey Copter
- Flexrotor
- Capa-X
Products and services
- Aliaca
Quantifiable outcome
- Doubling production capacity by 2027 (from 30 units to 60+ units annually)
Companies that use SURVEY Copter
Customer profileNamed customers2 records
Segments2 records
Ideal customer profiles2 records
SURVEY Copter technology and API
TechnologyTechnology focussed Yes
API detail
- Has API
- No
- API docs
- API detail
Core technology
AI maturity
App detail
AI capability4 records
Feature7 records
SURVEY Copter partnerships and signals
Strategic signalPartnerships
One partnership is on record.
- European Defence AgencycoreSurvey Copter, through Airbus Helicopters, was selected by the European Defence Agency to participate in the Multi Mission Unmanned Aircraft System (M2UAS) project. The 48-month programme aims to expand capabilities of the Capa-X uncrewed aerial system, developing a hybrid multi-mission drone platform for surveillance, reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and automated in-flight refueling. Total budget is approximately €1.1 million.
Scale indicators4 records
Recent moves6 records
Expansion highlights6 records
SURVEY Copter competitors and assessment
Company assessmentBroad incumbents
- Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ): Turkish aerospace prime producing the Bayraktar TB2 and Akıncı UAS, which have defined the tactical UAS export market. A structural competitor to Survey Copter for European rearmament-era drone procurement.
- Elbit Systems: Israeli defense prime with a broad UAS portfolio (Hermes, THOR). Overlaps with Survey Copter in tactical ISTAR drones and EW-capable UAS for European and NATO defense customers.
- Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI): Large Israeli aerospace and defense prime producing tactical and MALE UAS (Heron, Harop). Competes with Survey Copter for European defense procurement and offers overlapping ISTAR and EW capabilities.
- Thales: French defense and aerospace conglomerate with UAS-related capabilities (Watchkeeper, drone integration). Domestic French peer competing for the same defense procurement budget and naval UAS programs.
- General Atomics Aeronautical Systems: US manufacturer of MQ-9 Reaper and MQ-1 Predator MALE UAS. A larger incumbent in the defense UAS market, competing for the same European and NATO rearmament budgets.
- Lockheed Martin: US defense prime with UAS involvement (Indago, Vector Hawk, Stalker XE) and a major player in the same defense UAS procurement space, particularly through allied military sales channels.
- Leonardo: Italian defense and aerospace prime with rotary-wing and UAS capabilities (AWHERO). Competes with Survey Copter in European tactical UAS and helicopter-drone teaming programs.
Direct peers
- Schiebel: Austrian manufacturer of the Camcopter S-100 VTOL unmanned helicopter, a direct technical analog to Survey Copter's VSR700 and unmanned H145 in the naval and tactical VTOL UAS segment.
- AeroVironment: US-based tactical UAS manufacturer producing small and medium ISR/loitering drones (Switchblade, Puma, Raven) for defense customers. Directly comparable to Survey Copter in targeting small-to-medium tactical UAS for military ISTAR and strike missions.
Regional players
- Saab: Swedish defense prime producing tactical UAS (Skeldar) and competing for European naval and tactical drone programs with offerings comparable to Survey Copter's VTOL and ISTAR platforms.
Market position
Strengths5 records
Weaknesses5 records
Competitive moat6 records
Key risks6 records
Key highlights6 records
Customer concentration
SURVEY Copter social profiles
Digital presenceSURVEY Copter financial estimates
Financial estimateRevenue estimate
Valuation estimate
SURVEY Copter leadership team
Management profileNumber of profiles
Profiles1 record
SURVEY Copter funding detail
Funding detailFunding overview
Funding rounds
Investors
Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
SURVEY Copter M&A and investment
M&A and investmentM&A
Investments
M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →
Frequently asked questions about SURVEY Copter
What does SURVEY Copter do?
SURVEY Copter designs, manufactures, and provides operational support for tactical mini unmanned aerial systems (UAS) used by military and government defence customers. Its product portfolio includes the Aliaca, Flexrotor, and Capa-X tactical drones, along with unmanned helicopter systems such as the VSR700. The company focuses on complex, non-disposable UAS designed to operate alongside manned aircraft for ISTAR, electronic warfare, naval, and crewed-uncrewed teaming missions.
Is SURVEY Copter a public or private company?
SURVEY Copter is a private company. It is classified as corporate owned and is currently operating.
When was SURVEY Copter founded?
SURVEY Copter was founded in 1996. It employs 11 to 50 people.
Where is SURVEY Copter based?
SURVEY Copter is headquartered in Pierrelatte, France, in the Europe region.
How does SURVEY Copter make money?
Two revenue lines are on record. Drone Manufacturing and Sales are the primary driver. The others are UAS Support and Services.
Who are SURVEY Copter's main competitors?
Broad incumbents on record are Turkish Aerospace Industries (TUSAŞ), Elbit Systems, Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI), Thales, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Lockheed Martin and Leonardo. Direct peers are Schiebel and AeroVironment. Saab is listed as a regional player.
Does SURVEY Copter have an API?
No public API is recorded for SURVEY Copter.
What industry is SURVEY Copter in?
SURVEY Copter's product category is Tactical Unmanned Aerial Systems. Its primary akta.pro industry code is IMABAMAC, Military Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) & Autonomous Aerial Platforms, with a secondary code of IMABAIAB, Fixed-Wing Unmanned Aircraft (UAV). Its NAICS code is 334511 and its SIC code is 3812.