DSEI: Airbus helicopters to get ARTEMIS search and rescue tech to locate missing people from miles away
September 8, 2025
A life-saving phone-tracking system will soon be available as a factory-fit option on Airbus helicopters, following a new contract between the aircraft maker and UK tech company Smith Myers.
The system, known as ARTEMIS, can detect and locate a mobile phone signal from up to 35 km away. Homing in on a handset, even in poor weather or at night, helps crews find lost or stranded people far faster than traditional methods.
The agreement, announced at DSEI in London and APSCON Europe in Valencia, means ARTEMIS will be available not only on new Airbus helicopters but also as a retrofit upgrade for aircraft already in service. The deal also covers training, simulation and long-term support.
Bookmark our dedicated DSEI 2025 page for all the latest news.
Airbus helicopters to use ARTEMIS phone detection for search and rescue
Unlike conventional tracking systems, ARTEMIS works without the need for mobile network operators. Using just two small antennas, it can quickly scan an area, map phone locations and set geofenced boundaries, cutting down on crew workload.
The technology is already being used by search and rescue and coast guard organisations in the UK, Europe and North America, where it has played a role in saving lives during missions over land and sea.
“Being selected by a company of Airbus’ status underscores the effectiveness and reliability of our ARTEMIS systems, which are already being installed on a number of Airbus Helicopters now,” said Andrew Munro, Managing Director of Smith Myers.
How the Smith Myers ARTEMIS system works
ARTEMIS is designed to be simple for crews to use while delivering precise results in challenging conditions:
- Signal detection – The system searches for active mobile phones within range, even if no network coverage is available.
- Long reach – It can detect phones up to 35 km away, giving helicopters wide-area coverage on each flight.
- Pinpointing location – By calculating the direction and distance of each signal, ARTEMIS guides crews straight to the source.
- Mass mapping – It can identify and map large numbers of phones at once, useful in disaster zones or crowded environments.
- Geofencing – Operators can draw digital boundaries so the system automatically filters and prioritises signals within a rescue area.
This automation means crews spend less time sifting through data and more time acting on accurate, real-time information, which could mean the difference between life and death in SAR missions.
Airbus and Smith Myers deal expands ARTEMIS adoption worldwide
For Airbus, the agreement embeds a proven technology into its global helicopter portfolio, opening the door for wider adoption by civil, parapublic and military operators. For Smith Myers, it marks the company’s most high-profile deal yet, building on more than three decades of work in cellular detection technologies.
The system has won multiple awards, including the Royal Aeronautical Society Silver Medal and the British Engineering Excellence Award, underlining its importance in critical communications and aviation safety.
With Airbus now offering ARTEMIS as standard equipment, helicopter crews could soon gain a powerful new tool in their search-and-rescue arsenal, turning an ordinary mobile phone into a beacon for survival.
The AGN team will bring you all the latest news from DSEI 2025: Bookmark our page to stay up to date
