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Spain’s Satnus JV Flight Tests Remote Carriers for FCAS Program

Spanish joint venture Satnus has carried out a flight test campaign of remote-controlled drone demonstrators in support of the Next Generation Weapons System/Future Combat Air System (NGWS/FCAS).

The two-week campaign in Huelva, Spain, aimed to mature the technology for remote carriers that will fly alongside manned aircraft in the NGWS/FCAS program.

It included multiple validation flights of the Manned-Unmanned Teaming & Common Systems Demonstrator, a modified target drone.

Paves Way for Multiple Platform Flights 

According to the company, modifications were validated in the target drone and its ground controller.

“During this campaign, in addition to the changes introduced at a structural level, the remote control, communications and [Flight Termination System] subsystems, as well as different payloads, have been validated,” the company explained.

“A first version of the [Demo Information Management] system and the first C2  prototype have also been satisfactorily evaluated, both deployed on the ground.”

Additionally, tests have been carried out to pursue future collaborative flights of multiple real MCSD target drones.

Next-Generation Weapons System

Satnus is a joint venture between GMV, Sener Aeroespacial, and Tecnobit-Grupo Oesía.

It is leading the remote carrier technology “pillar” for the NGWS/FCAS.

The NGWS comprises remote carriers or swarming drones accompanying a sixth-generation manned aircraft that will possibly supersede the French Rafale and the multinational Typhoon.

The platforms will be connected with each other and with other multi-domain systems through a data cloud called the “Combat Cloud.”

The interconnected platforms will be the sensors, effectors, and command and control nodes in a system of systems format, enabling nimble decision-making.

The Satnus-led pillar is intended to mature technologies and minimize development risks with a preliminary design review in 2026.

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