Summary
- Airbus unveils loyal wingman drone concept at ILA in Berlin.
- Loyal wingman drones will enhance manned fighters in combat.
- Future Combat Air System by Airbus operational by 2040.
Airbus announced it would present its new Wingman concept at the upcoming International Aerospace Exhibition (ILA) in Berlin in June. Much has been reported on the US Air Force’s loyal wingman drones (called Collaborative Combat Aircraft), but this announcement underlines that the US is not the only one developing advanced wingman drones. Loyal wingman drones are planned to be powered by AI and enhance the capabilities of manned fighters – especially in high-risk environments.
Airbus unveils loyal wingman drone concept
Airbus states, “In military aviation, a ‘Wingman’ is a pilot in another aircraft that protects and supports the flight lead, delivers more tactical options and thus contributes to mission success.” The Airbus Wingman is designed to operate similarly but as a drone without a pilot. According to Airbus, Wingman is intended to be able to do everything from “reconnaissance to jamming targets and engaging targets on the ground or in the air with precision-guided munitions or missiles.”
Photo: Matthew Troke | Shutterstock
These loyal wingman drones have almost nothing in common with the drones currently seen in Ukraine. Wingman drones are fighter-type drones that will be commanded by a pilot in a combat aircraft. They are intended to enhance the capabilities of the main manned fighter while taking on higher-risk missions. Manned fighter jets then take on more of the role of “command fighters.” In other words, they are intended to augment combat aircraft, not replace them.
The static display is a scale mock-up intended to showcase the foreseen capabilities required. The drone concept is to be low-observable (stealthy), integrate various armaments, have advanced sensors, and more. As an early mock-up, what eventually goes into serial production may differ significantly.
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General Atomics’ XQ-67 Drone Could Be New US Air Force Collaborative Combat Aircraft
Two prototype drones have now been selected for Increment 1 of the CCA program to complement the US’s next generation of military aircraft.
A loyal wingman for 4th gen fighters
Interestingly, most discussion of loyal wingman drones revolves around the next (6th) generation aircraft like the US Air Force NGAD fighter and the British Tempest, but Airbus suggests this drone could be paired with Germany’s 4th-generation Eurofighters (aka Typhoons). Airbus says it can augment “current manned combat aircraft.”
France and Germany are collaborating to design and produce the Future Combat Air System. Airbus is developing much of this futuristic 6th-generation fighter, which Airbus claims will be operational in 2040. Germany (and France) are skipping 5th-generation fighters entirely and are working to eventually replace their 4th-generation fighters with 6th-generation fighters. Note that Eurofighters have been upgraded to more 4.5-generation standards.
It is unclear if Airbus intends the Wingman to operate alongside the 6th-generation fighter when it enters service.
Photo: General Atomics
The issue is that 2040 is around a decade after the US Air Force NGAD is expected to enter service. The German Air Force has stated it needs wingman drones to help bridge the gap for its existing 4th-gen fighters. The Airbus Wingman concept is seen as an affordable solution to the problem. Moreover, drones will help the German Air Force increase its overall mass.