ILA 2026: Diehl debuts Cobra 600 ‘airborne launch rail'
Diehl Defence debuted its Cobra 600 ‘airborne launch rail' for the carriage of a single IRIS-T AAM in the air defence role at the ILA Berlin Airshow 2026. (Janes/Gareth Jennings)
Diehl Defence showcased its Cobra 600 unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) that it is developing for the carriage of an air-to-air missile (AAM) in the air defence role.
Displayed at the ILA Berlin Airshow running from 10 to 14 June 2026, the Cobra 600 Airborne Launching and Attack System (AIRLAS) was shown carrying a single Diehl Defence IRIS-T AAM.
“This is not a ‘loyal wingman' or CCA [collaborative combat aircraft] – it has no sensors. It is an airborne launch rail,” an official who declined to be identified told Janes at the event.
The Cobra 600 is a new development whereby Diehl Defence and partner Polaris Raumflugzeuge have sought to combine two systems in the UAV and the AAM into a single air defence asset. “It is like nothing that exists – it is recoverable, expendable and affordable,” the official said.
Measuring 600 cm in length (where it derives its Cobra 600 moniker from), the UAV is a full delta wing airframe powered by four turbojet engines (the aircraft displayed at ILA 2026 was shown with two engines, with the other two having been removed for use on another company project).
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