NGWS/FCAS sensor design effort receives green light
European team is entrusted with development of a suite of sensors to equip the Future Combat Aircraft System
Indra, Thales and German industry consortium FCMS (comprising Diehl, ESG, Hensoldt and Rohde & Schwarz) will develop a suite of connected and distributed sensors for the New Generation Weapon System/Future Combat Air System (NGWS/FCAS) programme.
French procurement agency DGA signed a contract (worth an undisclosed amount) with project leader Indra Sistemas to incorporate these sensors into Phase 1A of the Sensor Concept Study for NGWS/FCAS.
The contract will last for 12 months with an optional six-month extension.
The team will work on the design of concepts related to a connected and distributed sensor architecture, the design of the future sensor architecture and the maturation of the associated sensor technologies that will allow FCAS to ‘overcome the challenges it will encounter from 2040’, Indra noted in a 23 November statement.
‘The harmony and close collaboration between the three industrial partners has accelerated the definition of the project objectives and the signing of the contract,’ the company added.
As part of our promise to deliver comprehensive coverage to our Defence Insight and Premium News subscribers, our curated defence news content provides the latest industry updates, contract awards and programme milestones.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)]()
DSEI 2025: The fighter market shift to Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)
Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T) capabilities is set to become a market differentiator for fighter aircraft, allowing 4.5-5th generation platforms to remain relevant to the battlefield.
-
![Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service]()
Project Kuiper’s LEO network pioneers Space-as-a-Service
The Kuiper Network enables organizations to buy, rather than build, applications that serve mission needs at mission speed.
-
![DSEI 2025: Helsing and Systematic join forces to revolutionise drone recce-strike missions]()
DSEI 2025: Helsing and Systematic join forces to revolutionise drone recce-strike missions
The partnership will integrate Helsing’s AI-powered systems with the Systematic SitaWare suite of C4ISR currently used by more than 50 nations, enabling faster data exchange between ISR UAVs and Helsing’s HX-2 loitering munitions.
-
![DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine]()
DSEI 2025: UK launches Project Octopus to deliver thousands of interceptor drones to Ukraine
The programme will work to build and deploy the drones to Ukraine to support its fight against Russia, coming a day after Poland shot down 19 Russian drones in its airspace.
-
![DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue]()
DSEI 2025: NATO members evaluate Black Widow UAV as it joins NSPA catalogue
The addition of Red Cat’s Black Widow to NATO’s NSPA catalogue opens the doors for allied forces to more easily procure the AI-enabled drone.
