The agreement between Airbus and Helsing entails collaborative work on AI technologies intended for use in a forthcoming Wingman system
At the ILA aerospace trade show in Berlin, Airbus Defence and Space and Helsing, a top defense AI and software firm in Europe, signed a framework cooperation agreement. This agreement entails collaborative work on artificial intelligence (AI) technologies intended for use in a forthcoming Wingman system. The Wingman, an unmanned fighter-type aircraft, will collaborate with existing combat jets, receiving directives from a pilot in a command aircraft, such as the Eurofighter.
Airbus debuts its Wingman concept at ILA in response to heightened operational needs from the German Air Force. The Wingman aims to enhance manned combat aircraft capabilities with unmanned platforms that carry weapons and other effectors.
Mike Schoellhorn, CEO of Airbus Defence and Space, “The current conflicts on Europe’s borders show how important air superiority is,” he further added. “Manned-Unmanned Teaming will play a central role in achieving air superiority: With an unmanned Wingman at their side, fighter pilots can operate outside the danger zone. They give the orders and always have the decision-making authority. Supported by AI, the wingman then takes over the dangerous tasks, including target reconnaissance and destruction or electronic jamming and deception of enemy air defense systems.”
As per the AI agreement, Airbus will leverage its proficiency in Manned-Unmanned Teaming, drawing from its experience as a prime contractor for major European defense programs like the Eurofighter and A400M military transporter. Helsing will provide its AI stack, comprising software-defined mission capabilities, including sensor fusion and electronic warfare algorithms.
Gundbert Scherf, Co-CEO at Helsing, said “Whilst we will always have a human in the loop, we must realize that the most dangerous parts of an unmanned mission will see a high degree of autonomy and thus require AI From the processing of data from sensors over the optimization of subsystems to closing the loop on system-level: software-defined capabilities and AI will be a critical component of the Wingman system for the German Air Force.”
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Helsing is a prominent European defense AI and software company specializing in advanced artificial intelligence technologies for military applications. Helsing is recognized as a leading provider of AI solutions tailored for defense applications, offering innovative software-defined mission capabilities and expertise in sensor fusion and electronic warfare algorithms.
