Airbus Defense & Space presented its new Wingman concept at the ILA in Berlin a few days ago. Wingman concept. The company is working together with AI specialist Helsing – a corresponding cooperation agreement was also signed at the ILA.
According to the agreement, the companies will work together on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies that are to be used in a future wingman system. In the future, this fighter jet-like unmanned aircraft will operate with current fighter jets and receive its tasks from a pilot in a lead aircraft such as the Eurofighter. One of the main objectives of the Wingman is to supplement the capabilities of manned combat aircraft with an unmanned platform that can carry or transport weapons and other systems. This is intended to counteract the increasing operational requirements. https://militaeraktuell.at/mercedes-zetros-mit-geschuetzter-fahrerkabine-ab-werk/ “The current conflicts on Europe’s borders show how important air superiority is,” says Michael Schöllhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. He added: “The interaction of unmanned and manned aircraft will play a central role in achieving air superiority: With an unmanned wingman at their side, fighter pilots can operate outside the danger zone.” Gundbert Scherf, Co-CEO at Helsing, emphasized: “The human operator will always retain the decision-making authority. At the same time, we need to be aware that the most dangerous parts of an unmanned mission require a high degree of autonomy and therefore need AI.”
According to a recent press release, both companies will “contribute their specific expertise” as part of the AI agreement. At Airbus, this is the interaction of unmanned and manned military aircraft, known as Manned-Unmanned Teaming, as well as participation in major European defense programs such as the Eurofighter or the A400M military transporter. Helsing, in turn, will contribute its AI stack with software-defined mission capabilities, including the fusion of various sensors and algorithms for electronic warfare.
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