The French Air and Space Force, France has unveiled the development of a stealthy uncrewed combat aerial vehicle (UCAV) designed to fly alongside its future ‘Super Rafale’ fighter jets in a groundbreaking manned-unmanned teaming configuration. The announcement, which marks a pivotal moment in French military aviation, was made by the French Minister of Armed Forces, Sébastien Lecornu, at Saint-Dizier Air Base, coinciding with the 60th anniversary of the French Strategic Air Forces (FAS).
The unveiling was also attended by General Jérôme Bellang, the Chief of Staff of the French Air and Space Force (Armée de l’Air et de l’Espace – AAE), and Éric Trappier, Chairman and CEO of Dassault Aviation, the company responsible for leading the UCAV’s development. Lecornu highlighted that the UCAV will play a crucial role in complementing the advanced Rafale F5 variant, also known as the ‘Super Rafale,’ which is expected to enter service after 2030.
The UCAV program is part of a broader vision for the future of air combat, one in which unmanned systems work in tandem with manned aircraft, amplifying their operational capabilities. This vision is not unique to France but is increasingly becoming a global trend, with major powers like the United States, Australia, China, and Russia also pursuing similar concepts of manned-unmanned teaming, often referred to as the “loyal wingman” concept.
In this configuration, unmanned drones, equipped with artificial intelligence (AI), operate autonomously alongside manned aircraft, taking on high-risk roles such as surveillance, reconnaissance, or attacking heavily defended targets, thereby reducing the risk to human pilots. According to Lecornu, France’s UCAV will enable the Rafale F5 to expand its mission range and capabilities, integrating seamlessly into the future battlefield.
The Rafale F5, or ‘Super Rafale,’ represents the next evolutionary step in the already highly successful Rafale line, which has served the French Air Force with distinction for decades. The F5 variant will introduce significant technological upgrades designed to ensure the aircraft remains cutting-edge well into the 2040s.
Lecornu’s announcement signals that France is not just focused on near-term technological advancements but is also preparing for the future of air combat. As the Rafale F5 is designed with manned-unmanned teaming in mind, the aircraft will act as a central node in a networked battle space, commanding the UCAV while simultaneously performing complex missions. According to the French Minister, this advanced variant will be key to maintaining the technological and operational superiority of the French Air and Space Force.
Dassault CEO Éric Trappier echoed this sentiment in his statement, emphasizing that the UCAV will enhance France’s defense capabilities by 2033, complementing the Rafale F5 and solidifying the nation’s aerospace prowess. “It is significant that it is being initiated today, as we mark the 60th anniversary of the Strategic Air Forces and the 90th anniversary of the Air and Space Force: in aeronautics — a highly complex field — the future has deep roots and innovation is built on experience,” said Trappier.
Dassault Aviation, which has a long history of innovation in aerospace engineering, will oversee the industrial development of the UCAV program. The company’s experience with developing the nEUROn, Europe’s first stealth UCAV demonstrator, will be invaluable as it embarks on this new venture. The nEUROn program, which involved several European partners and demonstrated the viability of stealthy drone technology, provided critical insights that will be applied to the new UCAV.
- Stealth Technology: A critical component for operating in heavily defended airspaces.
- Autonomous Control: Although the UCAV will be able to operate autonomously, it will retain man-in-the-loop capabilities, meaning human pilots can intervene as needed.
- Internal Payload Capacity: Allowing it to carry various weapons or reconnaissance equipment while minimizing radar cross-section.
- Adaptability: The UCAV will be designed to quickly adapt to new threats and technologies, ensuring long-term relevance.
These features will make the UCAV a key asset in future collaborative warfare scenarios, where speed, precision, and survivability are critical.
The new UCAV program draws heavily from the successful nEUROn project, a pan-European initiative led by Dassault that demonstrated the potential of a stealthy combat drone in real-world conditions. The nEUROn’s ability to operate with low visibility in hostile environments and its use of advanced avionics and AI systems laid the groundwork for future UCAV designs. While the nEUROn was primarily a demonstrator, the new UCAV is set to be a fully operational combat platform.
Lecornu confirmed that the UCAV would expand on the capabilities developed during the nEUROn program and incorporate lessons learned from recent conflicts, where unmanned systems have played an increasingly prominent role. By building on nEUROn’s success, France aims to ensure that its future combat aircraft are equipped to handle the evolving nature of air warfare.
France has been steadily developing its unmanned combat capabilities, as evidenced by its long-term investment in the nEUROn program. The country’s broader defense strategy, outlined in the 2024-2030 Military Programming Law (LPM), highlights the importance of integrating unmanned systems into its air force. According to the LPM, the UCAV developed under the nEUROn program will extend the reach and capabilities of the Rafale F5, particularly in medium- and long-range engagements.
The UCAV is expected to play a key role in France’s ability to carry out suppression/destruction of enemy air defense (SEAD/DEAD) missions. These missions, which involve neutralizing an enemy’s air defense systems, are typically dangerous and complex, making them ideal for unmanned systems that can take on greater risk without endangering human lives.
In this capacity, the UCAV will also enhance the Rafale F5’s ability to conduct operations in highly contested environments, where traditional aircraft might struggle. Its stealth capabilities will allow it to penetrate deep into enemy territory, gathering intelligence, jamming enemy communications, or carrying out precision strikes.
France’s decision to pursue manned-unmanned teaming with the Rafale F5 and the UCAV mirrors similar efforts by other major military powers. The United States, for example, has been developing its Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program, which envisions autonomous drones flying alongside the next-generation NGAD (Next Generation Air Dominance) aircraft and the F-35 Lightning II.
Australia has also made strides in this area with its Loyal Wingman project, developed in collaboration with Boeing. This project aims to produce an autonomous drone capable of flying in formation with manned aircraft, sharing sensor data and carrying out independent missions.
China and Russia have also been working on similar projects, recognizing the strategic advantages that unmanned systems can bring to modern warfare. In this increasingly crowded field, France is positioning itself as a leader, with its UCAV and Rafale F5 development signaling a commitment to maintaining a cutting-edge military force.
The Road Ahead: From Rafale F5 to the Future Combat Air System (FCAS)
The Rafale F5 represents a stepping stone toward France’s broader ambitions in the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a European collaborative project involving France, Germany, and Spain. While the FCAS has encountered challenges and delays, it remains the cornerstone of Europe’s next-generation air dominance strategy.
The Rafale F5, with its integrated UCAV capability, will serve as a bridge between the current generation of fighter jets and the future FCAS platform. Full-scale development of the Rafale F5 is expected to begin in 2026-27, with the aircraft’s operational debut planned for the early 2030s.
France’s announcement of the stealthy UCAV to complement its upcoming Rafale F5 marks a significant milestone in the evolution of military aviation. By integrating unmanned systems with its most advanced manned aircraft, France is preparing for the future of air combat, where human-machine collaboration will be essential.
As other nations race to develop similar technologies, France’s emphasis on innovation and experience, as highlighted by Minister Lecornu and Dassault’s Éric Trappier, ensures that the French Air and Space Force remains at the cutting edge of global aerospace technology. With both the UCAV and the Rafale F5 expected to enter service by the 2030s, France is well-positioned to lead the next generation of air warfare in an increasingly contested and technology-driven battlespace
