A400M to Launch UAVs Small-scale Unmanned Aerial Vehicles (UAV) and loitering munition assaults are seen as the future components of the battlefield. Airbus and Germany conducted a vital trial in line with new doctrines. German Army (Bundeswehr), German Air Force, Airbus and German state intuitions have jointly carried out Remote Carrier flights with Airbus A400M. The test was the first attempt in the world for drone-carrier transport aircraft.
According to Airbus’ strategy, one of the future roles of the A400M in the Future Combat Air System will be to multiply forces and extend the range of unmanned systems (FCAS).
Dornier Do-DT25 drones were released from the empennage cargo ramp of the A400M. A special device has also been developed for this task, according to Airbus. After the release from Remote Carrier Demonstrator, the Do-DT25’s engines were started, and it continued in powered flight mode. Control of the drone is handed over to a ground-based operator, and flight is completed from there. Airbus and Germany see Remote Carriers will be an essential component for FCAS.
Military transport aircraft, such as the A400M, will play a mothership role in bringing the Remote Carriers as close to their areas of operation as possible before releasing up to 50 small or 12 heavy Remote Carriers. These will then join manned aircraft, operating with a high degree of automation but always under the control of a pilot.
Swarming attack tactics are seen as a vital component of future warfare. Because of their small dimensions, loitering munitions mostly suffer from their limited range. Because of this reason, systems are planned to be launched in the required area by another carrier platform to increase battlefield endurance. Remote Carrier aircraft, such as military transport planes, modified helicopters or airliners and other platforms, will become essential elements in line with these new doctrines.
