Airbus is working on the development of a version of the military transport aircraft A400M capable of operating as a true airborne drone launch platform.
The proposal is that, by 2029, the aircraft will receive a conceptual configuration that transforms it into a “drone carrier,” significantly expanding its role in modern combat operations.
The project is being conducted in partnership with an undisclosed European customer and relies on a modular roll-on/roll-off system. This solution will allow the aircraft to be quickly equipped with launch and control kits for unmanned vehicles, enabling it to return to its original configuration or receive other modules as the mission requires.
According to Gerd Weber, head of the A400M program, in an intermediate configuration the aircraft will be able to carry up to 50 light drones or 12 larger Remote Carriers. This capability makes it possible to deploy swarms of drones in long-range attacks, expanding the options for deep strike missions inside enemy territory.
Practical tests were already carried out by Airbus in 2022, when a Remote Carrier demonstrator was successfully launched from the A400M in cooperation with the Bundeswehr, DLR, and German industrial partners. For Airbus Defence and Space, unmanned systems are expected to play an increasingly central role in military operations, operating in an integrated manner alongside crewed aircraft.
Source: Militarnyi | Photo: X @AirbusDefence | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
