Zephyr Net

- Airbus presents its vision of the future air combat system -

Airbus Defense & Space outlined its vision of the future air combat system. This involves a new hunter networked with drones, satellites and current aircraft.

Airbus is progressively asserting its desire to be one of the main players in the future or future combat aircraft renewal programs in Europe. On 8 November 2017, the European industrialist presented his vision of the future air combat system.

In line with the visions expressed by several Western Air Forces, this future system will mainly rely on networking of different platforms and sensors. Airbus offers an open, integrated and flexible network. This architecture will connect fighters, inflight refuellers, C2 aircraft, transport aircraft and drones.

The system will be multi-domain also affirms Airbus. It will take into account the air, the space, the electronic warfare but also the cyber domain.

At the heart of this network will be a new type of inhabited hunter (Can we already speak of 6th generation?) Which will be partly stealthy (not observable), will have a long radius of action, increased survivability, fusion capabilities data collection and intelligence and that can serve as a command platform for drones.

The drones presented by Airbus remind by their forms of cruise missiles. They will be able according to the industrialist to be connected with the other platforms. They should benefit from artificial intelligence and can act in swarms. In a film broadcast by Airbus, these drones are dropped from an A400M

With this proposal Airbus affirms its ambitions. Germany has announced its willingness to replace its Tornado and Typhoon. Berlin has extended a hand to France for the launch of a joint program.

France must consider the replacement of its Mirage 2000 from 2030. The Rafale should be replaced in the 2040s. Recently the Chief of Staff of the Air Force, General Lanata recalled "that it will then be a question of constructing the future air combat system which could be realized within the framework of a European cooperation ".

Remember that a program called FCAS (Future Combat Air System) was launched in cooperation with the United Kingdom under the leadership of Dassault Aviation and BAe Systems. This program should lead to the development of a combat drone demonstrator (UCAV). But the various participants have repeatedly stated that the project would also develop key technologies for a future combat aircraft.

In the future, UCAV and inhabited hunters could coexist. Operators imagine UCAVs that can collaborate with current hunters and their successors. Both types of platform could be used depending on the type of mission.

I thought it was going to be an A320 with a laser-shooting dome on top and bottom.