Airbus, Thales sign agreement
Airbus and Thales have signed an agreement for the development of the Air Combat Cloud for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS).
The companies will work jointly on the structural design of the system of systems that will support collaborative air operations at national and multinational levels. Work will begin with a first phase of technology demonstrations of air combat cloud capabilities.
The 18-month agreement supports the Air Combat Cloud pillar of the Demonstrator Phase 1A contract as a starting point for demonstrators and technology development.
Within FCAS, the Air Combat Cloud will in real time connect and synchronise all platforms and enable the processing and distribution of information to enhance situational awareness and collaborative operations.
The two companies will design the Air Combat Cloud, first in the frame of the Franco German FCAS cooperation but with the goal of enlarging the scope of collaborative combat capabilities between national air forces at European level in future.
More from Air Warfare
-
![Lockheed nets $43 million US Army contract for Black Hawk modernisation]()
Lockheed nets $43 million US Army contract for Black Hawk modernisation
The initial funds will focus on the foundational capabilities to modernise the attack helicopter, including digital architecture that will allow for launched effects and UAS integration.
-
![New Zealand to procure MH-60R and A321XLR aircraft as plan to “rebuild” the NZDF begins]()
New Zealand to procure MH-60R and A321XLR aircraft as plan to “rebuild” the NZDF begins
The MH-60R Seahawk and A321XLR aircraft are the first procurement announcements designed to help delivery of a more combat capable and interoperable fleet to the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF), as outlined in the New Zealand government’s April Defence Capability Plan.
-
![USAF to use augmented reality technology in F-16 cockpit]()
USAF to use augmented reality technology in F-16 cockpit
The US Air Force awarded Red6 a contract to install its ATARS software into the aircraft to provide new training solutions, following successful integrations in the T-38 Talon and MC-130.
-
![Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff]()
Nuclear “Manhattan Project-type endeavour” plausible for AI advancement, says UK Chief of Defence Staff
Admiral Sir Tony Radakin also urged caution over a “drone-tastic” way of thinking when it comes to their use alongside traditional air and underwater domain platforms.
-
![Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss]()
Teal Drones delivers first Black Widows as parent company reports six-month loss
In July 2025 Teal Drones was awarded Tranche 2 of the US Army’s Short Range Reconnaissance (SRR) programme for a small uncrewed aerial system (sUAS).
