Next-generation combat air systems

Military aeronautics is constantly evolving. In recent years, it has grown significantly due to the need to adapt to new threats arising from current military conflicts, as well as the opportunity to take advantage of technological progress. In this article, we’ll explore the main trends that will shape the future of military aeronautics, in light of recent developments and our armed forces’ ongoing programs, such as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), SIRTAP, and the Eurodrone.

Future Combat Air System (FCAS)

The FCAS is one of the most ambitious programs in the field of European defense. Signed in 2019 by the defense ministers of Spain, France, and Germany, and recently joined in 2024 by the Belgian Ministry of Defense, this project aims to develop an integrated system combining manned and unmanned aircraft, as well as ground, sea, and space systems. At the heart of the FCAS is the Next Generation Weapon System (NGWS), which includes:

Next Generation Fighter (NGF): a sixth-generation fighter with advanced low observability capabilities, high flight efficiency, state-of-the-art sensors, and compatibility with various types of remote operators. These range from combat versions to decoys, communications links, and drones on joint intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance missions (JISR), among others.

Remote Carriers or Remote Operators: unmanned aerial vehicles that operate in conjunction with the NGF, acting as force multipliers and reducing the exposure of manned fighters to enemy threats. These missions may include JISR, electronic warfare, or even offensive missions. Remote Carriers will be integrated in a coordinated manner with FCAS manned fighters, using advanced technologies such as artificial intelligence and big data to process and use information in real time.

Combat Cloud: consists of a decentralized and highly resilient information network that enables real-time integration and collaboration between different platforms and forces in multiple domains: air, ground, sea, space, and cyber. The main goal is to provide information superiority. The combat cloud also facilitates interoperability and connectivity between different systems in the battlespace, allowing fighter aircraft, remote operators, satellites, and other units and platforms to operate in a coordinated manner.

Eurodrone

The Eurodrone is another key project in the modernization of European defense. This medium-altitude long-endurance (MALE) drone has a range of more than 24 hours and is designed for surveillance, military operations support, and security missions. Its development is based on minimizing technological risks by using commercial solutions and advanced components, such as automatic navigation and control systems.

The Eurodrone is designed for intelligence, surveillance, target acquisition, and reconnaissance (ISTAR) missions, with modular mission capabilities and an architecture that means it can be operated in non-segregated airspace, setting this program apart from other developments.

With the Eurodrone, the European aeronautics industry aspires to occupy a leading technological role in the MALE drone area, a position that has so far belonged to the United States and Israel.

SIRTAP

Analogous to the Eurodrone pull effect in the MALE drone area,  SIRTAP will position the Spanish aeronautical industry, under the leadership of Airbus, as a leader in the high-performance tactical drone segment.

The SIRTAP, with a payload of more than 150 kg and an endurance of more than 20 hours, will perform advanced ISTAR missions with all-weather capability thanks to its advanced mission system.

Artificial intelligence and autonomous operation

Artificial intelligence (AI) and automation are transforming military aeronautics. These technologies make aerial platforms more autonomous, improve decision making, and optimize mission performance.

FCAS/NGWS incorporates AI technologies to achieve advanced levels of autonomy. This includes the ability of drones and fighter aircraft to perform coordinated operations (swarming) and collaborate with human pilots. The evolution of on-board AI is expected to enable goal-driven autonomous operations, rather than operations based on specific events. As a requirement for system design, it is expressly stated that at all times there must be a human operator in the control loop with the power to decide which functions are delegated to the autonomous systems.

AI improves mission and navigation systems, enabling better mission planning, route optimization, and real-time adaptation to changing conditions. This is crucial for operations in complex and hostile environments where it is often not possible to use satellite-based navigation (denied environments).

AI enables advanced analysis of large volumes of data collected by a network of sensors. This helps users extract critical information about the terrain, weather conditions, and enemy positions, improving the decision-making process.

AI also plays a crucial role in predictive maintenance. Advanced algorithms can predict system failures before they occur, enabling preventive maintenance and reducing aircraft downtime.

Electronic warfare and cybersecurity

Electronic warfare and cybersecurity play a key role in modern military operations.

Advanced electronic countermeasures make it possible to jam and deceive enemy radar, navigation, and communications systems. These technologies are essential to ensure battlefield superiority and protect air forces from electronic attacks.

Cybersecurity in hyper-connected environments is another critical challenge. From a cybersecurity standpoint, TPM (Trusted Platform Module) technologies will be available and used for identification, authentication, encryption, and integrity verification of devices on board the aircraft, as an additional security measure. PUF (Physically Unclonable Functions) technologies will also be used to prevent the introduction of counterfeit components into on-board equipment that could lead to system vulnerabilities. These breakthroughs ensure that flight control and communications systems remain safe and operational, even in critical threat situations.

Augmented reality and virtual reality

Augmented reality (AR) and virtual reality (VR) are transforming training and operations in military aeronautics.

The use of AR and VR allows pilots to be trained in simulated environments, replicating combat situations without the risks and costs associated with live training. These technologies improve the readiness and responsiveness of air forces.

Constructive simulation technologies and digital twins enable more effective mission planning, execution, and evaluation. These systems provide an accurate representation of operational scenarios, allowing strategies to be adjusted and optimized in real time.

Today’s fighter aircraft present visual information to the pilot via Heads-Up Displays (HUD), which project images, flight information, and tactical information. In fighter aircraft, such displays are being replaced by direct projections on helmet visors (Helmet Mounted Display or HMD), which facilitates the introduction of augmented reality technologies to improve the pilot’s situational awareness and speed up decision making.

Connectivity and combat networks

Connectivity is essential for modern military operations. Breakthroughs in combat networks enable effective integration and coordination between different platforms and systems.

FCAS incorporates a cloud-based combat network with a scalable architecture, enabling an operational view shared by all units on the battlefield. This improves decision making and coordination between allied forces, providing benefits that include the following:

• Interconnectivity and real-time data sharing including drones, satellites, and ground and maritime units.
• Data fusion and analysis, combining information from multiple sources with the ability to identify patterns.
• Collaborative operations, for example in navigation or target designation.

The military IoT (Internet of Things) connects various devices and systems, improving communication and information exchange in real time. This advanced connectivity is crucial for complex mission execution and resource optimization. Expected progress in processor and sensor miniaturization technology as well as in connectivity between distributed systems, will allow for the deployment of swarms of platforms that will collaborate in the execution of a wide range of functions.

Cutting-edge sensors

Sensors are a fundamental part of modern military systems, providing critical data for navigation, reconnaissance, and decision making.

Hyperspectral sensors are one example of these new trends. Multi- and hyperspectral sensors are replacing traditional electro-optical sensors, offering enhanced detection and data analysis capabilities. These sensors allow for greater accuracy in target identification and threat assessment.

Human-machine interfaces

Interaction between the pilot and the aircraft is crucial for mission success. Advanced human-machine interfaces enhance this interaction, facilitating control and decision making.

Mixed reality and haptic devices provide new forms of interaction between pilot and aircraft. These technologies allow for greater immersion and control, improving operational efficiency and reducing the pilot’s cognitive load.

AI-based virtual personal assistants provide real-time support for the pilot, managing information and tasks to enable a more effective focus on the primary mission.

Mission management

Efficient mission management is essential to the success of military operations.

The ability to evaluate operational alternatives in real time is crucial for battlefield adaptability. Breakthroughs in computing and data analytics enable rapid and accurate evaluation of different options, improving decision making and mission effectiveness.

This area is particularly relevant, as the state of the technology makes it possible to introduce relevant doctrinal changes, opening up a new scenario in operational research and challenging the limits of current military capabilities.

Manned-Unmanned Teaming Technologies (MUT)

One of the most innovative and promising areas in military aeronautics is Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUT) technology. This concept involves close and coordinated collaboration between manned and unmanned aircraft to maximize mission effectiveness.

MUT technologies allow manned and unmanned aircraft to operate together, sharing information and assigning tasks efficiently. Drones can perform reconnaissance, surveillance, and attack missions under the supervision of manned aircraft, improving operational capability and reducing risks to human pilots. The areas that incorporate such collaboration include navigation, communication, sensors, and weaponry, among others.

The key to the success of MUT technologies is secure and reliable communication between manned and unmanned platforms. Breakthroughs in connectivity, cybersecurity, and control systems enable seamless and effective interaction, ensuring that all units can coordinate and adapt quickly to changing battlefield conditions.

GMV’s role

As a leading company in the aerospace sector, GMV is playing a key role in the development and implementation of many of these groundbreaking technologies. With a strong presence in programs such as FCAS, SIRTAP and Eurodrone, GMV is contributing significantly in several key areas:

Development of autonomous systems

GMV is a member of the SATNUS consortium, which is leading Spain’s contribution to the Remote Operator Pillar of the NGWS/FCAS program. The company’s tasks focus on the areas of navigation, avionics, MUT, power electronics, recovery systems, and in-flight refueling, among others.

Navigation and control systems

GMV is at the cutting edge of robust navigation, flight control, and automatic landing systems development for unmanned vehicles. These systems are essential when it comes to ensuring accurate and safe operations in complex and challenging environments.

GMV has been selected by Airbus for the development and production of the SIRTAP navigation system. This system will have state-of-the-art GNSS and inertial sensors, and will incorporate jamming and spoofing mitigation technologies. The GMV-developed solution will provide the necessary precision and integrity to allow for fully automated flight, including taxiing, takeoff, and landing.

GMV is also in charge of the pilot's forward-looking camera, which plays a crucial role during these taxiing, takeoff, and landing maneuvers.

Autonomy and artificial intelligence

The company is exploring new autonomy and artificial intelligence applications, such as the AI-GNCAir (Artificial Intelligence in Guidance, Navigation and Control for Aerial Applications) project, which is researching the most advanced technology in the use of smart data fusion for aerial vehicle navigation. The goal of the project is to recommend a generic GNC architecture for the safe use of AI-based algorithms in the aeronautical domain.

As part of the application of AI in the aeronautics field, GMV is leading the SAFETERM project for the European Defense Agency (EDA). The goal of SAFETERM is to improve current medium altitude long endurance (MALE) RPAS flight termination systems and procedures. The main requirement of the SAFETERM system is to increase the overall level of safety in the management of emergency situations involving loss or degradation of the command and control link, as well as other failures. It therefore allows for safe flight termination in the event of failure of both the autonomy and the pilot’s remote control capability, by establishing alternative safe landing areas through artificial vision techniques.

Avionics for critical systems

GMV is responsible for the design, development, manufacture, and logistics support of the ground flight control computer (GFCC) within the Eurodrone program. This system will provide AIRBUS with a reliable safety-critical computer responsible for steering and controlling the Eurodrone UAS.

The GFCC is a DAL-A safety critical system, in charge of managing the flight orders sent by the UAS operator (DUO) and displaying the system information so that the DUO has accurate data and can accomplish its mission. The Eurodrone is designed to operate in non-segregated airspace. To comply with strict safety measures, several GFCCs are installed at each ground control station (GCS). Each GFCC is equipped with several boards, both COTS and custom designed, in a 19-inch rack. GMV will also be in charge of the manufacture of this equipment and the validation work, which will include burn-in tests.

Simulation

GMV provides advanced simulation tools and services that offer crucial capabilities in terms of maximizing the operability and efficiency of both manned and unmanned aerial platforms.

GMV has developed a complete range of high-fidelity simulators and emulators for L3Harris’s WESCAM MX series EO/IR surveillance and guidance systems. These simulators are designed to provide training and integration capabilities to WESCAM MX camera operators, enabling effective training at a fraction of the cost of in-flight training. GMV’s emulator systems offer authentic hardware and software interfaces, allowing development, integration, and maintenance activities to be carried out without the need to install a real turret in the integration lab or on the vehicle platform.

Conclusion

The future of military aeronautics will be shaped by the integration of advanced technologies that improve the efficiency, lethality, and survivability of air forces. From autonomous systems and advanced propulsion to electronic warfare and cybersecurity, each technology trend plays a crucial role in transforming military operations. Programs such as the FCAS, SIRTAP, and the Eurodrone are clear examples of how innovation and international cooperation are shaping the future of air defense. As these technologies continue to develop, air forces will be better equipped to meet the challenges of the 21st century and beyond.

GMV, with its leadership in several of these technological areas, will continue to be a key player in this transformation, providing groundbreaking solutions to ensure the operational superiority and safety of the air forces of the future.