At the 2026 Berlin Air Show, autonomous collaborative aircraft were one of the dominant themes.
Highlights include:
- Airbus
- Boeing
- Helsing
- General Atomics
all showcasing AI-enabled wingman aircraft designed to accompany manned fighters.
These aircraft will perform missions including:
- ISR
- electronic warfare
- decoy operations
- weapons carriage
- sensor extension
European governments are also emphasizing sovereign AI, ensuring mission autonomy remains under national control rather than relying on foreign software.
Why it matters: Europe is rapidly building its own ecosystem for autonomous combat aviation rather than depending solely on U.S. programs.
