European aircraft manufacturer Airbus will unveil a full-scale model of a combat drone, dubbed the "Wingman" and designed to accompany manned combat aircraft on risky missions.
The model will be unveiled at Germany's largest aerospace exhibition, the ILA Berlin Air Show, from 5 to 9 June.
"Wingman is designed to augment the capabilities of current manned combat aircraft with unmanned platforms that can carry weapons and other devices," Airbus said in a statement.
"The Wingman model demonstrates all of the envisioned required capabilities, such as low detectability, integration of different weapon types, advanced sensors, connectivity and teaming solutions."
Jean-Brieze Dumont, head of air power at Airbus, told reporters that the role of drones is becoming increasingly important in modern warfare.
"The need is there," he said.
Airbus is in talks with Germany, and other countries such as Spain have shown interest.
Airbus hopes the unmanned fighter will enter service in 2030.
"The German Air Force has expressed a clear need for a drone to fly alongside manned fighters and support their missions before the future air combat system is operational in 2040," Michael Schöllhorn, chief executive of Airbus Defence and Space, was quoted in the statement.
France, Germany and Spain are leading a €100 billion project to create a new fighter called FCAS.
The "Wingman" will be pilot-controlled in a combat aircraft and will be able to operate in conflict zones, taking on high-risk missions that would pose a threat to manned aircraft.
The drone's tasks could range from reconnaissance to jamming targets and defeating them on the ground or in the air with precision-guided munitions or missiles, Airbus said.
Drones have played a key role in Russia's war against Ukraine, as well as in the recent conflict between Armenia and Azerbaijan.
"We can consider ourselves latecomers," Dumont said. "Now we have to move to the operational level."
Launched in 2017, FCAS aims to integrate the continent's military capabilities and reduce its reliance on U.S. equipment.
But progress on stealthy delta-wing aircraft has been accompanied by a struggle to share industrial work as well as intellectual property for cutting-edge technology. | BGNES
