European CCA programmes see progress as industry narrows in on key flight milestones
Airbus is currently preparing two Valkyries for their first flight with its European mission system. (Photo: Airbus)
European defence firms including Airbus, Helsing, General Atomics and Anduril are accelerating development and testing of collaborative combat aircraft to meet Germany’s loyal wingman requirement, targeting operational deployment by the end of the decade.
Efforts from industry to offer Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) platforms for European loyal wingman requirements are ramping up, with several uncrewed aerial aircraft flight tests planned for this year.
Airbus has said it is preparing two Kratos Valkyrie uncrewed aircraft for flight tests, equipping the uncrewed collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) with its European Multiplatform Autonomous Reconfigurable and Secure (MARS) system.
The pair of CCAs are due to fly “later this year”, according to Airbus, with the company working “full throttle” to offer an operational CCA to the German Air Force by the end of 2029. The CCA will be designed
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters]()
US Air Force seeks capabilities to improve C3 for aircraft fleet and warfighters
The USAF published RFIs for enhancing its C3 capabilities after losing, in Operation Epic Fury, four aircraft in non-confrontational, unclear situations that could have been related to command, control and communication failures.
-
![US plans to raise defence production by 300% but multiple uncertainties remain]()
US plans to raise defence production by 300% but multiple uncertainties remain
The strategy, schedule and budget to support Washington’s intention to speed up the manufacturing of defence capabilities remain unclear.
-
![Switzerland faces procurement shake-up with reduced F-35 buy and five-year Patriot delays]()
Switzerland faces procurement shake-up with reduced F-35 buy and five-year Patriot delays
The reduction in the number of planned F-35A aircraft from 36 to 30 by the Swiss government comes due to budget constraints, with no firm plans to fill the gap despite “negative consequences”.
