Airbus Defense & Space has provided the first insight into the possible cockpit of the European 6th generation fighter jet (FCAS), which is to be operational from 2035, on its X-Channel.
Signs of progress in the FCAS program
Despite frequent criticism of the slow progress compared to other projects such as the British-Italian-Japanese GCAP (-> GCAP fighter jet project on track), the US F-47 (-> Latest findings on the Boeing F-47) or Chinese developments (-> News on the Chinese J-36), there is always positive impetus from the industry. Militär Aktuell has reported several times on the current status and the Airbus boss Michael Schöllhorn’s call for more speed in the FCAS project. Repeatedly especially Dassault’s CEO Erich Trappier doubts the final division of labor with the Germans (“Phase 2 is still going to take time, that’s for sure”).
Airbus is now showing that its work on human-machine interfaces (HMI) is taking concrete shape. The new cockpit dispenses with traditional controls such as switches and instruments and instead relies on a completely digital environment: augmented reality, voice and gesture control, eye tracking and a personalized display of data are intended to make interactions more intuitive and efficient.
Important physical controls such as the joystick and thrust lever remain, but are modernized with tactile feedback to retain familiar controls.
The cockpit design is modular and upgradeable in order to be able to react flexibly to new missions and technologies. Initial ground tests are already underway with the aim of establishing Europe at the forefront of military aviation technology – with pilots at the center of a networked, digital system.
Inspiration from Hollywood
Airbus deliberately draws on pop culture references in its communication: In one comparison, the FCAS cockpit is likened to Tony Stark’s legendary “Iron Man” suit – an environment in which every movement is supported by futuristic technology.
The new fighter cockpit will offer immersive displays, adaptive interfaces and digital assistants. Mission-critical information will be projected into the field of vision via helmet displays, and gesture control will make it possible to delegate tasks to unmanned platforms or make contact with the ground, for example. The haptic feedback of the control stick provides the pilot with direct feedback on engine speeds and flight conditions.
Test laboratory in Getafe
At the Future Air Capabilities Prototyping Lab in Getafe (Madrid), specialists such as test pilot José Ramón Asensi Miralles are developing innovative interactions: For example, a system that recognizes hand gestures via special glasses – without traditional buttons or switches.
The tried-and-tested HOTAS principle (“Hands On Throttle And Stick”) remains important: Pilots should keep their hands on the main controls as much as possible. Voice or gesture controls are used as a supplement, for example for frequency changes, to reduce the workload.
European funding through EPIIC
The developments are part of the EPIIC (“Enhanced Pilot Interfaces & Interactions for Fighter Cockpit”) program supported by the European Defence Fund. This project aims to integrate new technologies such as virtual assistants, adaptive interfaces, large-area and helmet-mounted displays into the next generation of European fighter aircraft.
The innovations are intended to be platform-independent and are currently still in the early stages of technology development.
As part of the EPIIC consortium – consisting of 27 companies and academic partners – Airbus leads the “Innovative Interactions” division, together with LeonardoIndra, Technobit and under the coordination of Thales.
Artificial intelligence as a key technology
To further strengthen technological autonomy, Airbus is working with AI specialist Multiverse Computing in the field of gesture recognition. By using machine quantum learning and efficient language models, the aim is to develop algorithms that require less energy and computing power.
“Every new function must support and empower the pilot,” emphasizes Belén Calleja, Project Manager at Airbus D&S.
Outlook until 2026
The most promising results of EPIIC are to be tested in demonstration environments by 2026. The transition from science fiction to reality is becoming increasingly tangible: Technologies that remind us of Iron Man today could support European fighter pilots tomorrow.
Or, as Tony Stark put it: “It’s not the suit, it’s what you do with it.”
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