France, Germany and Spain have validated the preliminary design review of MBDA’s Remote Carrier Compact demonstrator, an unmanned aerial vehicle designed to operate alongside fighter jets and other platforms during combat missions. The manufacturer expects this phase to lead to the demonstrator’s design and production, with its maiden flight scheduled for 2029.
The project brings together MBDA teams in France and Germany, with the participation of Spanish company Satnus. During the first half of the year, the company presented progress at technical meetings held in all three countries, attended by national representatives and pilots from the French, German and Spanish air forces.
The Remote Carrier Compact originated within the Next-Generation Weapon System (NGWS), the centerpiece of Europe’s FCAS program. According to published information, the cancellation of the latter due to disagreements between France and Germany did not result in the abandonment of all its developments. MBDA says it remains committed to continuing the drone despite the end of the NGWS’s original framework.
Ground testing and simulations
Before the validation, the teams completed the demonstrator’s design, built several representative mock-ups and developed a digital twin. The work included subsystem, integration and structural integrity testing, as well as wind-tunnel trials.
Simulations were used to characterize the vehicle, validate the digital models and test initial algorithms across different scenarios. MBDA says the future system will be capable of escort, reconnaissance and high-value target strike missions, although these capabilities remain at the demonstration stage.
