Monday, June 3, 2024 Airbus will unveil its innovative Wingman concept at the upcoming International Aerospace Exhibition ILA in Berlin. Traditionally in military aviation, a “Wingman” is a pilot in a separate aircraft tasked with supporting the lead pilot, expanding tactical options, and enhancing mission success. In Airbus’ interpretation, the Wingman functions similarly, though it differs in that it’s not piloted nor is it a manned fighter jet.
Instead, it’s a drone designed for combat operations, commanded by a pilot from a current combat aircraft like the Eurofighter. This drone can undertake high-risk missions, ones that might endanger manned aircraft. The 1:1 model, to be showcased from June 5 to 9 at ILA, resembles the concept of a “show car” seen in the automotive industry—a design exercise illustrating potential capabilities rather than a final product.
The Wingman model exhibits envisioned features such as stealth, integration of various armaments, advanced sensors, connectivity, and collaborative capabilities. As with show cars, not all features displayed may transition to production. However, the ILA exhibit serves as a blueprint, guiding future iterations of the Wingman.
As per the current plan, the Wingman aims to enhance the capabilities of existing manned combat aircraft by integrating unmanned platforms capable of carrying weapons and executing missions effectively. “The German Air Force has expressed a clear need for an unmanned aircraft f.
