A framework cooperation agreement was inked at the ILA aerospace trade conference in Berlin by Airbus Defence and Space and Helsing, the top defence AI and software firm in Europe. The companies have agreed to collaborate on artificial intelligence (AI) technology that will be incorporated into a future Wingman system. Operating alongside modern combat jets, this autonomous fighter-type aircraft will get orders from a pilot in a command aircraft like the Eurofighter.
At the ILA, Airbus is also making its Wingman concept debut. The Wingman is meant to supplement the capabilities of manned combat aircraft with unmanned platforms that can carry weapons and other effectors in response to the German Air Force’s growing operational requirements.
“Air superiority is crucial, as demonstrated by the ongoing conflicts on Europe’s borders,” stated Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space. “Manned-Unmanned Teaming will be essential to attaining air superiority because it allows fighter pilots to operate outside of danger zones when accompanied by an unmanned wingman. They are in charge of giving commands and making decisions at all times. The AI-assisted wingman then assumes control of risky missions, such as adversary air defence system electronic jamming and deception or target reconnaissance and demolition.”
The most hazardous aspects of an unmanned mission will see a high degree of autonomy and so require AI, even though a human will always be involved, according to Gundbert Scherf, Co-CEO at Helsing. The Wingman system for the German Air Force will heavily rely on software-defined capabilities and artificial intelligence (AI), from analysing sensor data to optimizing subsystems to completing the loop at the system level.
As a prime contractor for significant European defence programs like the Eurofighter and the A400M military transporter, Airbus will provide its knowledge in Manned-Unmanned Teaming—the interaction of manned and unmanned military aircraft—as part of the AI deal. Helsing will provide its essential software-defined mission capabilities in the AI stack.
