MDFD Concludes Phase II and Paves Way for Further Development
Two manned combat aircraft, a helicopter and five unmanned ‘remote carriers’ (RC) teamed up in the summer to enable the Multi-Domain Flight Demo (MDFD), Europe’s first large-scale demonstration of the type. The Future Combat Air System Manned-Unmanned Teaming (FCAS MUM-T) Demonstrator project, funded by the Bundeswehr, will now move to the next phase, further paving the way for FCAS by developing a flying RC demonstrator in the coming years. The MDFD was led by Airbus in cooperation with the Bundeswehr, the Finnish Defence Forces and industry partners such as missile company MBDA Germany, compact airborne networking data link provider Patria, autonomy and mission technology specialists HAT.tec and drone launch system provider Robonic.
Jean-Brice Dumont, Head of Military Air Systems at Airbus, commented that the event “demonstrated for the first time in Europe how manned-unmanned teaming capabilities and functionalities with up to ten connected assets work, in a real-life inspired scenario, and under near operational conditions […] This is yet another example of how we push boundaries and pioneer technologies so that our customers can fulfill their missions: saving lives and ensuring a better future for us all”.
The platforms were connected via a meshed compact airborne networking data link (CANDL), that allowed them to seamlessly interact in Finnish airspace to rid the world of a fictional rogue warlord. A Learjet 35 from Airbus subsidiary GFD acted as a surrogate fighter, with the crew commanding the remote carriers – five modified Airbus Do-DT25 drones, two of which were equipped with ESM sensors from partner company MBDA Germany to detect adversary ground-air missile positions. The remaining three RCs were equipped with EO cameras that recorded and confirmed the locations of the air defences visually. Additionally, one simulated fighter acting as a C2 aircraft was visible on the screens in the visitor tent, where contractor representatives from the German and Finnish armed forces followed the demo.
While the air defence was eliminated, ground troops requested close air support via a forward Joint Terminal Attack Controller (JTAC) to help them extract the fictional rogue warlord. An Airbus H145M helicopter responded immediately, helping the team to achieve their mission. In parallel, the helicopter teamed up with one of the EO-equipped, RCs keeping an eye on the surroundings and providing special forces with reconnaissance data. The helicopter crew commanded the RC directly from the cockpit, while the video stream of the Do-DT25 was directly transferred to the H145M. The JTAC, located close to the troops on ground, co-ordinated the attack by digital emergency notification (9-liner request) to the helicopter, and partly took over control of one EO RC to assess the effect of the operation finally.
The MDFD concluded the second phase of FCAS MUM-T, which will now enter Phase III, leading to the maturing of existing capabilities and development of new ones, to enable initial operations in the 2030s with existing aircraft and remote carriers developed by then. An initial contract for the go ahead has just been signed between Airbus and the Bundeswehr’s procurement agency.
Remote carriers of varying size and capability are vital assets for FCAS, where they will operate in a team with the manned New Generation Fighter and the Eurofighter, connected to a cyber-secured combat cloud network. Operating under the command of a manned aircraft, RCs provide better protection for pilots, while enhancing the operational envelope and the ability to act in risky situations.
