Secure or Defend Against: An Overview
In a bid to cater to the needs of tomorrow, Airbus is spearheading the development of several innovative products for the military aviation sector. The goal is to meet current requirements across the entire operational spectrum while also preparing for products that address future needs.
The scope of this ambitious project encompasses the entire military sector, with a particular focus on military aircraft requirements. The new products are designed to integrate seamlessly with the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and other strategic European defense programs.
One such development is the new variant of the A400M military transport aircraft. This updated version will support expanded missions, acting as a broadband communications node. It will enable real-time tactical data exchange across manned and unmanned platforms, across all operational domains – air, land, sea, space, and cyber. By replacing narrowband systems with broadband satellite communications, the A400M will enable high-rate data sharing and maintain connectivity even if satellites are disrupted, making it a key part of FCAS’s distributed command and control architecture.
Airbus is also collaborating with US-based Kratos Defense on the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie drone. By 2029, Airbus aims to equip the Valkyrie unmanned combat aircraft with an Airbus mission system for the German Air Force. The XQ-58A is a low-observable drone capable of autonomous or manned teaming missions with both kinetic and non-kinetic effects. Airbus’s platform-agnostic mission system will enable integration across current and future manned and unmanned platforms, advancing capabilities in collaborative combat aircraft for Europe.
Lastly, Airbus Helicopters is flight-testing the militarized H160M variant, selected by France for its Joint Light Helicopter programme. The H160M aims to be one of the most modern military helicopters globally, with ongoing prototypes undergoing flight and weapons testing to support its operational deployment.
These developments reflect Airbus’s multi-domain approach to future military aviation, emphasizing connectivity, unmanned teaming, and versatile modern platforms. By focusing on strategic European defense programs like FCAS, Airbus is ensuring that its products are not only forward-looking but also responsive to future requirements.
- In close collaboration with US-based Kratos Defense, Airbus is working towards integrating their mission system into the Kratos XQ-58A Valkyrie drone, with the aim to equip the German Air Force with this advanced technology by 2029, furthering the boundary between industry and finance as they find new avenues in the aerospace sector.
- Simultaneously, Airbus Helicopters is developing the H160M variant, chosen by France for its Joint Light Helicopter program, showcasing their commitment to the aerospace industry by producing one of the most modern military helicopters worldwide, with a focus on meeting the future needs of the military sector and aligning with strategic European defense programs like FCAS.
