Autonomous loyal wingman drones forming part of France-Germany-Spain Future Combat Air System. AI-networked remote carriers to team with Next Generation Fighter.
The FCAS Remote Carrier concept envisions swarms of autonomous drones operating from the Next Generation Fighter's data link, essentially turning the crewed aircraft into an airborne command post for unmanned wingmen. France and Germany have experienced significant industrial and political tensions over workshare arrangements for FCAS, with Dassault and Airbus competing for design authority on different subsystems. Despite the bilateral friction, the program represents Europe's only path to a sixth-generation combat aircraft system without dependence on US technology.
Conceptual phase; technology demonstrators planned 2028; key European autonomous weapons program
Dassault Aviation (AM.PA), Airbus SE (AIR.PA), and Indra Sistemas (IDR.MC) are all publicly traded and are the primary industrial beneficiaries of the FCAS Remote Carrier program.