The Berlin airshow in June 2026 featured Europe's latest-generation wingman drones, designed to accompany fighter jets in combat roles, marking a new step in defence technology [1, 2, 3]. Four companies—Airbus, Boeing, Helsing, and General Atomics—presented their drone designs aimed primarily at Germany's military market and beyond [1, 2, 3].
Known as collaborative combat aircraft (CCA), these wingman drones range in size from small interceptors to aircraft the size of manned planes. They operate as "loyal wingman" systems that fly alongside manned fighter jets to enhance mission capabilities [1, 2, 3]. However, none of the wingman drones are currently operational under battlefield conditions [1, 2, 3].
Boeing highlighted its MQ-28 Ghost Bat as an unmanned jet meant to serve as a force multiplier and extend the reach of crewed platforms. Amy List, Boeing Australia Managing Director, said, "MQ-28 Ghost Bat wingman is not a drone, but an unmanned jet designed to enhance the capabilities, be a force multiplier for crewed platforms" [3]. She added, "It can go out ahead of crewed platforms, provide situational awareness, analyse data, it can fuse that data and provide decision-making quality information back to a human" [1]. Boeing expects the MQ-28 to be operational with the German Luftwaffe by 2029 [1, 2, 3].
Airbus unveiled its U760b Ravenstorm wingman drone, which is planned for availability in the 2030s [1, 2, 3]. General Atomics’ YFQ-42A, selected in 2024 by US forces, is currently in testing [1, 2, 3]. Helsing presented an electronic attack drone designed to operate in autonomous swarms alongside strike drones. Stephanie Lingemann, head of air domain at Helsing, emphasized the need for sovereign control of the AI systems, stating, "The AI agent, of course, the brain of these systems, needs to be controlled in a sovereign fashion" [1].
The spotlight on wingman drones came as Germany and France shelved plans for a joint fighter jet program in June 2026. Instead, they seek to salvage parts of the effort by focusing on related drone systems and data networks from the Future Combat Air System program, shifting towards autonomous assets [1, 2, 3].
The next significant milestone is Boeing’s target of operational MQ-28 Ghost Bat wingman jets with the German Luftwaffe by 2029, while Airbus aims to bring its U760b Ravenstorm into service in the 2030s [1, 2, 3].
