Wingman Drones Take Center Stage as Europe Pushes to Bolster Defense Capabilities

'Wingman' drones center stage as Europe looks to bolster its defenses

BERLIN - Center stage at last week's Berlin airshow was the "wingman" drone, Europe's latest-generation defense weapon designed to accompany fighter jets. As the war in Ukraine in particular has underscored the growing importance of drones and electronic warfare, European and U.S. defense forces are rapidly developing their own AI-powered drones to complement their fighter jets and carry extra sensors, jammers and weapons. In Berlin, four companies -- Airbus, Boeing, Helsing and General Atomics -- were looking to tout their latest designs using the technology to Germany's military and beyond. Wingman drones, sometimes referred to as wingman aircraft, are known as collaborative combat aircraft and range in size from small interceptors to being as big as planes. They fly in what is known as a "loyal wingman" system as they flank manned aircraft. Investment in the technology comes as Europe faces a debate over the value of building its own sovereign defense industry and reducing reliance on the United States. "The AI agent, of course, the brain of these systems, needs to be controlled in a sovereign fashion," said Stephanie Lingemann, head of air domain at German defense startup Helsing, at the airshow. Germany and France this month shelved plans for a joint fighter jet but are now looking to salvage parts of the Future Combat Air System program by developing a related drone system and data network. The war in Ukraine has shown how disrupting sensors and communications can be as critical as kinetic attacks. Helsing says its electronic attack drone is designed to operate alongside strike drones in autonomous swarms. Boeing Australia's Managing Director Amy List insisted its MQ-28 Ghost Bat wingman was not a drone, but an unmanned jet designed "to enhance the capabilities, be a force multiplier for crewed platforms." The company is collaborating with German firm Rheinmetall to build what it says is its tried and tested technology. "It can go out ahead of crewed platforms, provide situational awareness, analyze data, it can fuse that data and provide decision-making quality information back to a human," List said. As it stands, wingman drones or aircraft have not yet arrived on the battlefield. Boeing says its model can be in service for the German Luftwaffe by 2029, while Airbus' model, the U760b Ravenstorm, won't be available until the 2030s, the company says. General Atomics' YFQ-42A is in testing and was selected in 2024 by the U.S. Air Force among other technologies to receive funding and other support for prototype development. Lockheed Martin and U.S. defense technology startup Anduril are expected to display similar technologies at upcoming airshows, including Britain's Farnborough airshow starting on July 20.

'Wingmen' aircraft takes spotlight at ILA Berlin airshow as Europe continues rearming

Several defense firms unveiled new 'wingmen' aircraft designed to accompany fighter jets at the ILA Berlin airshow as European nations begin to rearm. As conflicts in Ukraine and the Middle East continue, the US and European countries have increased their focus on developing and procuring unmanned AI-powered drones to complement their fighter jets and carry extra sensors, jammers, and weapons. At ILA Berlin, the world's oldest airshow and one of the most important aerospace trade fairs, several defense firms unveiled their latest designs to Western militaries last week. Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), also known as wingman aircraft, range in size from small interceptors to planes. They fly in what is known as a "loyal wingman" system to accompany manned fighter jets such as the F-35. Unlike traditional military drones that are remotely operated by human crews for isolated surveillance, Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCAs) are autonomous, jet-powered "wingmen" driven by artificial intelligence to fly in direct, high-speed combat formations alongside human fighter pilots. Interest in the technology comes as European powers debate over building their own sovereign defense capabilities that are less reliant on the US. "The AI agent, of course, the brain of these systems, needs to be controlled in a sovereign fashion," Stephanie Lingmann, head of air domain at the German startup Helsing, told Reuters at the airshow. The war in Ukraine has demonstrated how electronic warfare can be as impactful as kinetic weapons systems. Boeing Australia, Rheinmetall unveil new Collaborative Combat Aircraft Boeing Australia and German defense contractor Rheinmetall collaborated to build their own CCA, the MQ-28 Ghost Bat, which they unveiled at the Berlin airshow. "It can go out ahead of crewed platforms, provide situational awareness, analyze data, it can fuse that data and provide decision-making quality information back to a human," the managing director for Boeing Australia, Amy List, told Reuters reporters at ILA Berlin. Wingman aircraft are a relatively new technology and have not yet been seen on the battlefield. Although General Atomics says its CCA, the YFQ-42A, is ready to go. "We have certainly spoken to Germany many, many times about our CCA and what there is to offer," General Atomics spokesperson C. Mark Brinkley told Breaking Defense. "It's the most advanced CCA in the world. We don't need to go to block whatever to add a weapons bay and all the rest, we're ready today." General Atomic's CCA is in testing and has already been selected by the US Air Force to receive funding for prototype development.