Airbus Unveils 'Wingman' Drone Concept At Berlin Air Show

Airbus EADSY has recently introduced a new drone concept named Wingman, designed to support manned fighter jets in high-risk missions.

What Happened: The aerospace giant displayed a model of the drone at the ILA Berlin Air Show, CNBC reported on Thursday.

The Wingman concept is an “unmanned escort for manned fighter jets,” as per an Airbus statement. It can be operated by fighter jet pilots and can be deployed on more dangerous missions, offering protection to manned aircraft.

“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,” Airbus noted.

The drone’s design includes low observability, sensors, and armament integration. Airbus is partnering with AI defense company Helsing to develop AI technologies for the Wingman.

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Why It Matters: This unveiling comes after Airbus’ subsidiary, AALTO, made headlines for its high-altitude drones in Kenya. This development reinforces Airbus’s commitment to advancing its drone capabilities, potentially posing a challenge to rivals like Elon Musk‘s SpaceX.

However, Airbus has been facing supply chain headwinds that may impact its future jet deliveries. The introduction of the Wingman concept could be a strategic move to diversify Airbus’s portfolio and maintain its competitive edge amidst these challenges.

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Image via Airbus

This story was generated using Benzinga Neuro and edited by Pooja Rajkumari