An underwater drone capable of monitoring the square kilometers of the ocean, for several weeks without climbing to the surface. Presented in mid-May, Fathom SG-1 is one of Helsing’s latest innovations.
After the artificial intelligence integrated in the military platforms, their main business, the software that can be embark on drones, airplanes or even be deployed underwater, this Franco-German startup founded in 2021 now points to the market for teleoperated ammunition in the air and sea. Therefore, Helsing aims to propose solutions to the Armed Forces to be “battlefield”. As SG-1 Fathom.
Drone constellations to monitor oceans
Equipped with the “House” software, to increase underwater intelligence capabilities, This small device can patrol 3 months under the sea, as reported The digital factory. By associating several hundred Fathom SG-1, Helsing promises to form “a mobile sensor constellation, equivalent to the satellites that monitor the oceans.” In the Aeronautical Show Bourget, which will take place from June 16 to 22 in the Paris region, the startup must show its potential.
Helsing is dreaming of MBDA of the military: an integrated company at European, multidomatic level with national subsidiaries and referents in its sector. And it should be taken into account that the startup has aroused the confidence of certain heavy goods vehicles in the sector.
Helsing does not tell in his ranges of Marc Fontaine, former-Airbus, Antoine de Braququades, Ex-Palant, Antoine Bordes, Ex-Meta or Denis Mercier, former head of the Air Force and former supplement ally for the transformation of NATO.
“Or the French army is an appointment, or won,” said the Minister of the Armed Forces Sébastien Lecornu in March 2024 in an interview Echos AuxWith respect to the military.
SCAF software solutions
The first collection of funds, carried out in 2021, had reached 102.5 million euros, including 100 million provided by the Prima Subject Investment Fund, founded by Daniel EK, co -founder and CEO of Spotify. A second table led in September 2023 made it possible to raise 209 million euros and joined the Swedish manufacturer of Saab aircraft as a strategic investor.
After a first office opened in Berlin in 2021, Helsing continued its deployment in France, with a Parisian entity that today includes around one hundred people, as well as a London seat.
A first factory also opened in southern Germany at the end of 2024 and Helsing now aims to build others throughout Europe, with France and the United Kingdom in sight, but also Estonia.
The creation of a subsidiary Helsing Estonia in July 2024 was accompanied by “substantial” investments to strengthen industrial capacities “, with particular the creation of new operational and production facilities,” the company said in a press release. With the view, the main European projects.
Helsing, therefore, offers software solutions for combat aircraft (Centaur), Electronic War (Cirra), Recognition and Attack (Altra). The startup also placed its pawns in the Future air combat system (SCAF), participating in the definition of AI infrastructure, along with Airbus Defense & Space.
Some observers wonder about the ambitions shown by Helsing and are reserved, hoping to see if the orders will continue.
I bet on drones produced in mass
The first Helsing products are beginning to reach the field. The HX-2 attack drone has already been tested by the Ukrainian armed forces: in a first order of 1,000 copies, more than half has already been delivered. A second contract establishes the production and delivery of 6,000 aircraft from the second quarter of 2026.
To respond to the future teleoperada ammunition market, Helsing wants to be independent in terms of production and supply, seeking “Europear” its sources as much as possible. A challenge, although it would be almost impossible to provide only French or European components.
In this segment, the European company will have to face the competition, and in particular the projects already initiated by the DGA such as Colibri and Larinae, which involve Novadem, Nexter, Delair and precisely … MBDA.
Source: BFM TV
