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
-
![Callen-Lenz pushes ahead with Nyan OWE as it hails operational success]()
Callen-Lenz pushes ahead with Nyan OWE as it hails operational success
The one-way-effector uncrewed aerial vehicle has also been tested by the British Army, following on from its contract award notice in February 2026.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA]()
Eurosatory 2026: Locally produced loitering munition destined for UAE Navy, says MBDA
The contract signed between MBDA and Fly-R will see diamond-shaped loitering munitions developed and prepared in the UAE. How does this move fit into wider market trends in the region?
-
![Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up]()
Eurosatory 2026: MBDA and Thales look to civilian industry for loitering munition scale-up
Thales and MBDA have taken steps to ensure the mass production of their respective loitering munition offerings at Eurosatoy, teaming with civilian manufacturers. These moves come amid France’s push towards sovereign drone production and continued market expansion.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years]()
Eurosatory 2026: How the deep-strike, loitering munition market skyrocketed to $13.8 billion in three years
Ukraine’s rapid development of long-range, deep-strike loitering munitions has helped turn the sector into a market worth an estimated US$13.2 billion. The reasons behind this were outlined during Eurosatory 2026, as other countries embark on the early stages of procuring this capability.
-
![Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe]()
Eurosatory 2026: Why security agencies are expanding UAS operations across Europe
Uncrewed aerial systems (UAS) are an increasingly important tool for Europe’s law enforcement and public security agencies, with the past two years seeing rapid growth in operational deployment, procurement and regulatory acceptance.
