Gauting – In the face of global threats, Europe needs armaments. Therefore, the American technology corporation General Atomics (headquarters in San Diego, 12,500 employees worldwide) is currently developing an unmanned combat aircraft that should be available in the shortest possible time. A prototype of the “Collaborative Combat Aircraft” (CCA) was recently presented in the Gauting section of the Oberpfaffenhofen Special Airport—specifically, at the General Atomics Aero Tec Systems facility on Galileostrasse. “Since real threats can only be countered with real means, our approach is deliberately pragmatic to meet urgent needs,” explained Linden P. Blue, CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, in a press release.
American Technology Corporation Develops Unmanned Combat Aircraft in Upper Bavaria
Various General Atomics subsidiaries are involved in the production: General Atomics Europe, a technology group headquartered in Dresden, operating in the fields of aviation, infrastructure, and sustainability. Additionally, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, a leading global manufacturer of unmanned aerial systems, is involved. The third partner is General Atomics AeroTec Systems, located on Galileostrasse.
The basis for further development is an unmanned combat aircraft that the American company created in collaboration with the US Air Force. The YFQ-42A aircraft accompanies manned fighter jets and supports them in air-to-air missions—that is, in combating aerial targets—as well as in air-to-ground operations. Its main advantage: it is difficult to detect thanks to advanced technology. The Artificial Intelligence (AI) integrated into it has been trained for five years. “This operational advantage provides the system with unique maturity in this class,” the press release indicates.
“Best Conditions for Complex Technical Work”
The unmanned combat aircraft now being developed at the special airport is a kind of European modification. All the expertise concentrated at the special airport is to be integrated into the process of creating the finished product. “The site’s infrastructure, as well as years of experience in modifying, integrating, and testing aviation systems, offer the best conditions for complex technical work,” the statement read.
The expertise of the German aircraft manufacturer General Atomics AeroTec Systems, with 400 employees at the Gauting site, will be particularly in demand. The company gained recognition through the further development of the Do228 aircraft, which is used worldwide for special passenger and cargo transport missions.
Representatives of leading German industrial companies, primarily from the fields of artificial intelligence, mission systems, software, data transmission, and system integration, attended the prototype presentation. “The Oberpfaffenhofen site possesses the necessary technical depth and aviation competence for complex integration and adaptation work,” explained Harald Robl, CEO of General Atomics Europe. “The exchange with European industry is an important step to structure possible contributions and cooperation directions in a timely manner.” General Atomics representatives plan to continue professional engagement with industry and politicians in the coming weeks. Workshops and discussion groups are already planned.
Source: Merkur
Latest Posts
