Airbus Helicopters in Spain and ARQUIMEA sign an agreement to integrate intelligent loitering systems into the NH90 helicopter

• The agreement aims to explore the development of a technology demonstrator integrating ARQUIMEA’s Q-SLAM-40 loitering system into the NH90 helicopter.

 

Madrid, May 14. Airbus Helicopters in Spain, a leading company in the defense sector, especially in the design and manufacturing of helicopters, and ARQUIMEA, a Spanish technology company with over 20 years of experience specializing in the manufacturing of loitering systems, announced at FEINDEF 2025 the signing of a collaboration agreement for the integration of the Q-SLAM-40 loitering system into the NH90 helicopter.

The integration of theloitering system into the NH90 helicopter will expand the operational capabilities of this helicopter model for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions, as well as for attack missions, counter-drone operations, and even the creation of swarms for complex tasks.

ARQUIMEA’s intelligent loitering systems incorporate advanced artificial intelligence technologies to enhance situational awareness, real-time data transmission, and swarm flight capability. This solution offers a significant operational advantage that increases the helicopters’ responsiveness.

The Q-SLAM-40 has a flight time of 25 minutes and a range of 25 kilometers, and it can integrate different types of payloads depending on the mission requirements. The loitering system could be launched directly from the helicopter to carry out missions in the required scenario, improving operational speed.

Luis Martín, Commercial and Programs Director of Airbus Helicopters in Spain, emphasized “The integration of helicopters and drones on the future battlefield is essential for our Armed Forces. The collaboration with the Q-SLAM-40 will allow us to offer a solution that combines aerial mobility with intelligent drone attack capabilities.”

“The integration of our loitering systems into tactical helicopters represents a significant advancement in the network-centric warfare concept, enabling deployed forces to operate with greater autonomy, speed, and effectiveness,” said Manuel Martín, Managing Director of Defense at ARQUIMEA.

ARQUIMEA is a global benchmark in loitering systems, thanks to its solid industrial base for large-scale manufacturing and its in-house innovation capabilities, which reinforce its technological autonomy and consolidate its leadership position in these systems within the sector. The company has manufacturing capabilities to supply more than 1,000 units per month of its Q-SLAM-40 intelligent loitering system.

The tech company has its own research center with more than 140 researchers highly specialized in artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum technologies, enabling it to develop cutting-edge solutions applied to loitering systems, providing them with the ability to operate and manage tasks autonomously, perform swarm flight, and carry out target tracking and identification.

ARQUIMEA has already integrated its multi-launcher for loitering systems into various operational land platforms.

 

About ARQUIMEA:

ARQUIMEA is a Spanish technology company that operates globally in sectors with high technical demands, such as aerospace, defense, and security.

The company collaborates with international space agencies such as NASA and ESA, defense and security ministries, NATO armed forces, and leading companies in the sector.

In the defense sector, ARQUIMEA specializes in intelligent loitering systems, avionics, robotics, drones and RPAS, as well as information and control systems.

In the space area, it is a leader in the manufacturing of key systems for satellites and turnkey missions, covering the entire value chain, from mechanisms, subsystems, and systems, such as thermal panels, to the design and manufacturing of satellites.

The company has its own research center with more than 140 researchers, a leader in artificial intelligence, robotics, and quantum technologies, enabling ARQUIMEA to develop cutting-edge technologies applied to systems and products in its areas of activity.