At the upcoming International Aerospace Exhibition ILA in Berlin, Airbus is set to unveil its innovative Wingman concept, an unmanned aerial drone designed to enhance the capabilities of manned fighter jets. The concept, which draws its name from the military aviation term that refers to a supporting pilot, aims to replicate these protective and strategic roles without a pilot on board.
Scheduled for display from June 5 to 9, Airbus will showcase a full-scale model of the Wingman, emphasizing its potential role in modern warfare. Similar to a “show car” in the automotive industry, this model is not only a design exercise but also a demonstration of cutting-edge military technology, including stealth capabilities, advanced armament integration, and robust sensor and connectivity solutions.
Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, highlighted the strategic importance of the Wingman in the context of current and future military needs. “The German Air Force has expressed a clear need for an unmanned aircraft flying with and supporting missions of its manned fighter jets before the Future Combat Air System will be operational in 2040,” Schoellhorn said. “Our Wingman concept is the answer. We will further drive and fine-tune this innovation made in Germany so that ultimately we can offer the German Air Force an affordable solution with the performance it needs to maximize the effects and multiply the power of its fighter fleet for the 2030s.”
The Wingman drone is designed to undertake a variety of high-risk operations, such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and precision strikes, thereby reducing the threat to manned aircraft and enhancing overall mission efficacy. This strategic use of unmanned systems not only aims to increase the combat mass affordably but also to provide air forces with a quantitative edge in conflicts against comparable forces.
While the model displayed at ILA Berlin may not translate directly into mass production, it serves as a crucial step in defining the operational and technical specifications for future deployments of the Wingman drone, aligning with evolving defense strategies and technologies.