Drone-slave projects are being developed in different countries around the world
Germany, in partnership with Australia, plans to adopt the MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone into service with its air force. Many other countries, including Russia, are actively working on the creation and implementation of similar drones for joint use with manned aircraft. What kind of aircraft is this, what programs for their creation are currently in the active phase, and what place will drones take in the guise of the air force of the future - in the Izvestia material.
What is a wingman drone?
The concept of a drone-wingman is one of the most promising areas of development of combat aviation today. It involves the creation of unmanned aerial vehicles that operate in conjunction with manned fighter jets, taking on the most dangerous and risky tasks. Technically, these are specialized autonomous or semi-autonomous UAVs, which are controlled, among other things, using artificial intelligence technologies, and integrated into the general information space of a manned aircraft. The pilot of the lead fighter acts as a "conductor", setting general tasks, while the drone independently performs maneuvers, conducts reconnaissance or attacks targets.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat UAV
Image source: Photo: Boeing
Wingman drones can take on tasks such as reconnaissance and surveillance, jamming, performing strike missions, or acting as a false target for enemy defense systems. Such a device can act as a completely independent unit, or in close contact with the pilot of the lead aircraft. In a risky task, the drone's operation saves the pilot's life and ensures that the combat mission is completed.
Which drone-slave projects are being developed in different countries
Work on the creation of slaves is underway today in almost all countries with a developed aerospace industry. One of the most media developments was the American XQ-58A Valkyrie from Kratos. It is being created within the framework of the CCA (Collaborative Combat Aircraft / Combat Aircraft for Joint Use) concept. The special feature of the project is its relatively low cost: the drone costs about $ 2-3 million, so it's not a pity to lose it in battle. He also does not need an airfield — the XQ-58A is launched using a rocket booster from a special launcher, and lands on a parachute. This ensures its high mobility and the ability to strengthen the air operation directly from the ground. The drone is being actively tested for use in conjunction with AI software — in 2023, Valkyrie successfully conducted a training dogfight under the control of artificial intelligence. The device participates in test programs for the US Air Force and Marine Corps and will begin to enter service in the coming years.
American XQ-58A Valkyrie UAV
Image source: Photo: TASS/Sipa USA
The project of the Australian division of Boeing Corporation, the MQ—28 Ghost Bat, was originally developed for the Royal Australian Air Force and became the first combat aircraft designed in this country over the past 50 years. For the past two years, Germany has been actively interested in the project, which plans to adopt the drone into service with its Air Force in 2029. In the future, wingman drones will become part of the FCAS program, which creates the European fighter of the future. The MQ-28 Ghost Bat drone takes off and lands like a conventional aircraft and at the end of 2025 successfully demonstrated the capabilities of autonomous aerial combat by interacting with the E-7A Wedgetail AWACS aircraft and the F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter.
MQ-28 Ghost Bat UAV in flight accompanied by F/A-18F Super Hornet fighter
Image source: Photo: Boeing
The Russian S-70 Okhotnik attack drone is the epitome of a heavy strike bomber that can carry modern aviation weapons ranging from conventional to guided bombs, cruise missiles, and in the future, aeroballistic missiles. The device was originally created with an eye to joint combat work in tandem with the fifth-generation fighter Su-57. The pilot of the aircraft can redistribute targets between himself and the "Hunter". Technically, the drone is designed according to the "flying wing" scheme, which significantly reduces the radar visibility of the device and provides outstanding flight data. The production version of the drone has a flat-nozzle engine to reduce visibility in the IR range. The Hunter is currently undergoing state trials, is probably participating in experimental combat operations, and will most likely begin entering service with the Russian Aerospace Forces in the coming years.
Russian S-70 Hunter attack UAV
Image source: Photo: RIA Novosti
Two young American companies are working on the creation of winged drones as part of the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program. These are the Fury project of Anduril and the Gambit project of General Atomics. Both have received contracts from the US Department of Defense. Anduril's Fury is supposed to demonstrate highly maneuverable aerial combat with an emphasis on advanced software capabilities and a high degree of autonomy. Gambit is implemented in the concept of a modular machine that will change its purpose depending on the "head" (nose) — it can be a drone adapted for reconnaissance, or a strike vehicle, or a target aircraft. By 2028-2030, dozens of such vehicles are planned to be built to accompany the F-35 and the future NGAD fighter.
American UAV Fury
Image Source: Photo: US Air Force
Turkey has made a breakthrough by creating the Bayraktar Kazılelma jet-powered transonic drone. The drone can take off from the short decks of TCG Anadolu amphibious assault ships. It is equipped with an internal armament compartment, but it can also carry missiles on an external sling. In the future, after replacing the engine, it can become supersonic and compete with manned fighters. It is assumed that the Kızılelma will work together with the Turkish fifth-generation fighter KAAN. Today, several copies of drones are already undergoing various tests.
Turkish jet deck UAV Bayraktar Kızılelma
Image source: Photo: TASS/EPA/ERDEM SAHIN
The Chinese FH-97A drone is a kind of response to the creation of the Australian MQ-28. It is equipped with a panoramic electro-optical system, similar to those installed on modern fifth—generation fighters, and can search for targets without turning on the radar. Its main purpose is to be an interceptor fighter for enemy missiles and aircraft on long—range approaches. It can carry up to eight air–to-air missiles in internal compartments. A prototype of this drone was presented at the Zhuhai Air Show and active work is underway to enter testing.
Such a high interest in the creation of slave drones is explained by the fact that they can perform quite complex and risky missions in the enemy's air defense zone. Even at a cost of several million dollars, such devices are several times cheaper than manned fighters. And most importantly, under software control, they can give manned aircraft completely new combat capabilities. One pilot can control several wingman drones, each of which can take on its own goal or task, and all this during a single combat mission. These are unique opportunities that could only have been dreamed of yesterday.
Dmitry Kornev
