Aerospace & Defense Technology - August 2024 - 37

Application Briefs
The New Airbus Wingman Aircraft
Airbus
Toulouse, France
+33 6 34 78 14 08
www.airbus.com
A
irbus presented a new prototype Wingman
concept aircraft at the 2024 International
Aerospace Exhibition ILA in Berlin.
In military aviation, a " Wingman " is a
pilot in another aircraft that protects and
supports the flight lead, delivers more tactical
options and thus contributes to mission
success. In the Airbus concept, the Wingman
is going to operate very much in the same
way - only that it is neither a pilot nor a
fighter jet flown by one. It is a fighter-type
drone that will be commanded by a pilot in a
current combat aircraft such as the Eurofighter
and can take on high-risk mission tasks
that would pose a bigger threat to manned-only
aircraft.
The 1:1 model presented in Berlin is similar
to a " show car " used as a design exercise by the automotive
industry. The Wingman model features all of the foreseen
capabilities required, such as low observability, the integration
of various armaments, advanced sensors, connectivity
and teaming solutions. As with " show cars " , not all of what is
on display may find its way into series production. In this
aspect, the model on display at ILA Berlin serves as a foundation
and catalyst to drive the design requirements for each
generation of the Wingman.
Based on the current concept, the Wingman is intended
to augment the capabilities of current manned combat aircraft
with uncrewed platforms that can carry weapons and
other effectors.
" The German Air Force has expressed a clear need for an
unmanned aircraft flying with and supporting missions of its
manned fighter jets before the Future Combat Air System will be
operational in 2040, " said Michael Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus
Defence and Space. " Our Wingman concept is the answer. We will
further drive and fine-tune this innovation made in Germany so
that ultimately, we can offer the German Air Force an affordable
solution with the performance it needs to maximize the effects
and multiply the power of its fighter fleet for the 2030s. "
The Wingman's tasks can range from reconnaissance to jamming
targets and engaging targets on the ground or in the air
with precision guided munitions or missiles. Pilots in manned
aircraft acting as " command fighters " will always have control
of the mission. They are always the final decision-making
authority, while benefiting from the protection and smaller
risk exposure that the delegation of tactical taskings to
unmanned systems offers. An additional focus is on increasing
the overall combat mass in an affordable manner so that air
forces can match the number of opposing forces in peers or
near-peers in conflicts.
www.airbus.com
Persistent German Airborne Surveillance System
Hensoldt
Taufkirchen, Germany
+49 731-392-3681
www.hensoldt.net
H
ensoldt, Lufthansa Technik Defense and Bombardier Defense
provided a significant program update on the highly-specialized
modification work on the Persistent German Airborne Surveillance
System (PEGASUS) aircraft at the 2024 Berlin Air Show.
Led by Hensoldt for the German armed forces, the PEGASUS
signal intelligence (SIGINT) system will be integrated on the
Aerospace & Defense Technology, August 2024
Bombardier Global 6000 jet. As part of this program, Bombardier
was tasked with the foundational modification work package,
collaboratively working with Lufthansa Technik Defense,
who will complete the system integration at its special-mission
center in Hamburg, Germany. The first aircraft has now rolled
out from the Bombardier Defense modification line in Wichita
and is being prepared for the start of ground testing and for the
subsequent flight. The remaining two aircraft are undergoing
modifications in Bombardier's facility.
" Bombardier Defense is proud to have the trust of Hensoldt,
Lufthansa Technik and the Luftwaffe to complete this critical
mobilityengineeringtech.com
37
http://www.airbus.com http://www.airbus.com http://www.hensoldt.net https://mobilityengineeringtech.com
Aerospace & Defense Technology - August 2024

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