The War Zone has reported:

Airbus U.S. Space and Defense is developing and testing the Lakota Connector, an autonomous, uncrewed cargo version of its multi-mission UH-72B Lakota helicopter. The project is intended to support logistics in contested theatres, according to Carl Forsling, who described the operational requirement and upcoming work for the programme’s team.

The testing is part of a prototyping effort known as Team Lakota Connector, which brings together Airbus, Shield AI, L3Harris Technologies and Parry Labs for the U.S. Marine Corps. Forsling spoke with The War Zone’s Jamie Hunter at the AUSA 2026 trade event in Washington, D.C. The outlet published its account on Oct. 13, 2026, at 5:55 p.m. EDT.

Forsling is with Airbus U.S. and previously served as a U.S. Marine Corps pilot, flying the CH-46 Sea Knight and MV-22 Osprey. His discussion covered the need for uncrewed logistics aircraft in contested theatres and what the team plans to do next.

The article also included other Airbus-related items labelled as branded content. One described joint trials with partner Hanwha Aerospace, including low-level flight profiles and short-field operations. Another outlined a planned package of UH-60 upgrades: the uncrewed U-Hawk, new engines, increased range, launched effects and expanded autonomy.

Hunter is The War Zone’s Branded Content and YouTube Editor, overseeing industry partner content and the site’s video programmes. He lives in London, U.K., and regularly travels, particularly for the publication’s international trade show coverage.