Target drone systems

Providing realistic training

Support services

Airbus offers a full range of target systems that provide realistic and cost-effective training for ground and naval air defence and air-to-air combat, including towed airborne targets, direct airborne targets and surface targets.

With more than 50 years of experience serving the world's armed forces - with more than 3,500 missions flown and more than 2,300 direct targets deployed - Airbus has developed a range of proven support services that can be tailored to customers' specific needs and scenarios.

Customised training missions

Airbus Defence and Space offers a full-service aerial target solution, using Airbus personnel, hardware and drones to deliver customised training missions. The service covers realistic threat simulations, from single to multi-platform scenarios, designed in collaboration with the customer.

Target Systems & Services replicates complex air defence scenarios such as air strikes, missile engagements and FIAC naval targets, allowing customers to focus on training.

Top-to-bottom solutions

Airbus fixed-wing airborne targets include four models launched from mobile pneumatic catapults, simulating the full engagement process from detection to action. The portfolio is constantly evolving to increase threat realism, with new capabilities planned for the future.

Airbus personnel provide certified operations that meet the standards of various airworthiness authorities.

Aerial Target drone platforms and systems

Multi-copter drones

The swarming capabilities of multi-copter drones as a target platform are available in the Airbus Target Systems & Services portfolio to cover counter-UAS training, focusing on the category of small drones approaching in large numbers.

Pre-planned attacks are carried out with a configurable number of drones for training purposes. Additional payloads can be added to extend the training and support the training with the real threat scenarios of mini drones.

Our broad portfolio

Do-DT25

The Do-DT25 is a medium-speed aerial Target for short-range infrared missile training. With adaptable payloads, it simulates attack aircraft and can deploy a Do-DT55neo sub-Target for realism.

Do-DT45neo

The DT45 is a versatile drone for high-speed target engagement. With low-level flight capability, it effectively simulates sea-skimming missiles in challenging defence scenarios.

Do-DT55neo

A high-speed drone that simulates air-launched threats for missile training. Remotely piloted, it supports surface-to-air, air-to-air and ship-to-air scenarios and is launched from the Do-DT25.

Equipment for our aerial target platforms

Airbus DT drones feature versatile augmentation payloads for IR, radar, laser and visual training. Operational payloads include EW countermeasures (IR flares, RF jamming), radar simulation, low-level flight (below 30 ft), IFF and tactical kill tracking systems.

With speeds of 100-485 kts, DT drones perform manoeuvres such as high dives and high-g turns. A proprietary flight control system enhances robustness with geo-fencing and 4D multi-target navigation for realistic scenarios.

Additional platforms

Completing the range is the Airbus Do-SK6, a towed target and SETA-3 S1 sleeve target particularly suited to low-cost gunnery and short-range air defence training, compatible with multiple types of host aircraft.

Unmanned airborne test platform

The Airbus drone family serves as a versatile unmanned test platform, providing safe, flexible, and cost-effective flight testing. This was demonstrated with the Do-DT25 in Airbus Defence and Space: