The concept of a “Wingman” in military aviation involves uncrewed aircraft that support human pilots during missions, operated by pilots in nearby manned aircraft.
Although Boeing’s Ghost Bat has been a notable example, Europe has recently stepped up its presence in this field. At the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA in Berlin, Airbus introduced an impressive Wingman drone concept.
This aligns with Europe’s broader vision to incorporate such drones into the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a sixth-generation fighter jet initiative designed to create an advanced aerial combat ecosystem integrating drones and artificial intelligence.
Given the FCAS isn’t expected until 2040 and current security challenges, Germany is seeking an interim solution. The Airbus Wingman could serve this purpose.
This uncrewed drone, controllable by nearby pilots, is designed for high-risk missions, weapon deployment, reconnaissance, and jamming operations.
The full-scale model presented in Berlin is striking, with a design resembling a mix of the SR-71 Blackbird and a missile, featuring low observability, advanced armament, extensive sensors, and teaming capabilities.