Japan Experiments With Helicopter-Based Command of Jet Drone Swarm

Nov 25, 2025 10:42 AMPublished Nov 25, 2025 10:42 AM

MUM-T is Japan’s manned-unmanned teaming program using five Subaru-supplied fixed-wing drones with cranked-kite wings, canted V-tails, and top-mounted intakes.

Japan has taken crewed-uncrewed teaming to the next level, commanding five jet-powered drones inside a helicopter during a breakthrough flight.

A video released by the country’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA) during the manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) trials showed pilots managing the drone swarm in real time from a Bell 205 cockpit.

Operators can be seen using thigh-mounted tablets to guide each drone along map-based routes.

Read the full story on NextGen Defense: Japan Experiments With Helicopter-Based Command of Jet Drone Swarm

Japan •helicopters •drone swarms •autonomous aerial vehicle •Autonomous drone flight •autonomous drone

Drones Asia Pacific

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