FCAS Expendable Remote Carrier On Course For 2029 Demo | Aviation International News

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FCAS Expendable Remote Carrier On Course For 2029 Demo

MBDA leads the development of the expendable remote carrier capability for the tri-national Future Combat Air System.

MBDA remote carrier — The primary carrier for the ERC will be the Next Generation Fighter, but it will also be launched by other platforms such as the Rafale and Typhoon fighters, maritime patrol aircraft, and warships. (Photo: MBDA)

By David Donald • Contributor - UK

June 21, 2023

Remote carriers, or unmanned air vehicles flying alongside other elements, represent an integral pillar of the Franco/German/Spanish Future Combat Air System (FCAS). Their development is being conducted along two lines: large and costly recoverable remote carriers (RRCs), for which Airbus serves as the prime contractor, and expendable remote carriers (ERCs).

MBDA leads the development for the latter and is working toward the first flight of a technology demonstrator in 2029 as part of the FCAS Phase 2. The intended vehicle would weigh around 400 kilograms and measure around 4 meters in length. Operational flight endurance, or “play time,” would amount to about an hour. The ERC will feature fighter-like performance and maneuverability, enabling it to operate alongside manned fighters, or even to emulate them when acting as a decoy. The maneuverability and low radar cross-section make them difficult to engage, although there may be tactical scenarios in which they can be configured to be highly visible to the enemy.

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