During the Paris Airshow 2025, French Dassault unveiled its flying wing stealthy UCAV to support future Rafale F5 multirole fighters and eventually FCAS’s NGF.

Following the mention of plans for a loyal wingman to support manned fighters, Rafale F5 first, Dassault’s stealthy UCAV has made its debut in the Paris Airshow 2025. This marks the revival of jet-powered UCAVs to perform combat duties after the years-long silence in the nEUROn UCAV prototype.

The upcoming UCAV, titled Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS), appears to be heavier than the nEUROn prototype. To support Rafale F5 starting in the 2030s, UCAS will carry various munitions, including air-to-surface and air-to-air types. The sensors have not been detailed, but they might include optical ones and possibly a radar to support the manned fighters not only as a munitions truck but also as a remote sensor.

Rafale F5 and UCAS Duo

Rafale’s future variant, F5, will incorporate new capabilities, with the most important one being the MUM-T capability to allow coordinated operation with the UCAS. 

UCAS is proposed as a way paver for the non-stealthy Rafale to use its low observability to penetrate into contested airspaces and perform risky engagements before manned aircraft make their entry.

Reports from French Air Force officials also indicate that pairing UCAVs with Rafales for multi-static sensing is among the possible solutions against enemy low-observable aircraft and Rafale’s lack of full-fledged stealth capabilities.

Author: Kaan Azman

Editor: Özgür Ekşi