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Airbus to Unveil Uncrewed ‘Wingman’ Concept at ILA Berlin Air Show

Wingman could become a remote carrier for Europe’s Future Combat Air Systems (FCAS) initiative, which aims to meld crewed and uncrewed operations together.

Jack Daleo

Tuesday, June 04, 2024 at 03:40 PM ET

Verified

Edited By: Luke Venable

Airbus on Monday shared a digital rendering of its uncrewed ‘fighter-like drone’ concept, Wingman. [Courtesy: Airbus]

Key Takeaways:

Airbus is set to unveil its "Wingman" concept, an uncrewed fighter-type drone designed to escort and augment crewed fighter jets like the Eurofighter Typhoon.
The Wingman will undertake high-risk missions, perform reconnaissance, target jamming, and fire missiles, all commanded by a pilot from a safe distance.
This initiative addresses the German Air Force's need for an affordable unmanned support solution in the 2030s, prior to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) becoming operational in 2040.

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Airbus on Monday announced it will unveil its concept for an uncrewed “Wingman,” designed to serve as an escort for crewed fighter jets, at the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA in Berlin from June 5 to 9.

The manufacturer describes the Wingman model as a “fighter-type drone” that could be commanded by the pilot of an existing combat aircraft, such as the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Jack Daleo

Jack is a staff writer covering advanced air mobility, including everything from drones to unmanned aircraft systems to space travel—and a whole lot more. He spent close to two years reporting on drone delivery for FreightWaves, covering the biggest news and developments in the space and connecting with industry executives and experts. Jack is also a basketball aficionado, a frequent traveler and a lover of all things logistics.