Airbus Defence and Space has signed a memorandum of understanding with Alta Ares, a French defense technology company specializing in counter-drone systems and onboard artificial intelligence, to develop and integrate European counter-drone solutions.
The agreement was announced on June 11, 2026, at the ILA Berlin air show, where Airbus is also presenting an expanded uncrewed systems portfolio, including the newly unveiled U760 Ravenstorm combat drone.
Under the partnership, Airbus will act as integrator, connecting Alta Ares’ systems to its Fortion IBMS (Integrated Battle Management Software) command and control suite and its Fortion SAMOC surface-to-air missile operations center.
Alta Ares will provide what the companies describe as a new tactical air defense layer, built on targeting software and interceptor drones that have been operationally deployed in Ukraine since 2024.
Two interceptors aimed at drones and cruise missiles
The two companies will continue developing and deploying the Black Bird, a turbojet-powered interceptor with a 30-kilometer operational radius designed for high-speed targets such as cruise missiles, and the X-Lock, a 15-kilometer-range system aimed at Shahed-type one-way attack drones. Imagery released alongside the announcement shows the Black Bird deployed in Germany during NATO’s Steadfast Dart exercise in 2026.
“Integrating Pixel Lock and our interceptors into Fortion IBMS means operators get a single, coherent sensor to shooter chain from detection to neutralisation,” Alta Ares co-founder and CEO Hadrien Canter said. “That’s what theatre commanders are actually asking for.”
François Lombard, Head of Connected Intelligence at Airbus Defence and Space, said defending against one-way attack drones has become an urgent priority, and that the company’s counter-drone strategy aims to field cost-efficient systems that can be fully integrated into the broader air defense ecosystem.
Airbus builds an interceptor ecosystem around Fortion IBMS
The MoU comes two days after Alta Ares announced a €50 million funding round, led by Air Street Capital, to scale production of the X-Lock and Black Bird. Founded in 2024, the startup runs production facilities in Toulouse and operates from France and Ukraine.
The deal also reinforces Airbus’ effort to position its Fortion IBMS at the center of a layered European counter-drone architecture. The company’s own U680 Bird of Prey interceptor completed its first demonstration flight on March 30, 2026, firing a Frankenburg Technologies Mark I missile at a one-way attack drone, and is likewise designed to operate within the same IBMS.