Kawasaki develops collaborative combat aircraft concepts

KHI has developed concept imagery for its Collaborative Support Aircraft (CSA) programme. (KHI/Janes)

Kawasaki Heavy Industries (KHI) is developing high-performance unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) capable of operating alongside manned combat aircraft.

The company has unveiled two conceptual designs, collectively designated as Combat Support Aircraft (CSA). One of the UAV concepts shows a fighter-type platform with low-observable, blended-wing features. The other is a missile-shaped collaborative UAV with swept wings and twin tail fins.

A KHI spokesperson told Janes that the CSA platforms are being developed to operate “in conjunction” with the Japan Air Self-Defence Force's (JASDF's) manned aircraft as support platforms.

Planned roles include electronic warfare (EW) and intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) support, according to the KHI spokesperson. Open architecture and modular airframe design are intended to support adaptation of the platforms for multiple mission sets, the spokesperson said.

KHI's current concept imagery indicates that the CSAs will be single-engine aircraft. According to the spokesperson, the UAVs will be powered by KHI's in-house KJ-series of engines. This will ensure the platforms' “adaptability for upgrades and efficient procurement,” the spokesperson added.

The company also plans to integrate artificial intelligence (AI) with the CSA platforms, enabling them to operate autonomously and reduce operator workload.

According to the spokesperson, the UAVs will be capable of conducting “dangerous missions that would otherwise be performed by manned aircraft”, a mission set would require them to operate in contested environments under threat from adversarial missiles.

This would consume adversarial resources, while allowing manned aircraft to complete their mission, the spokesperson added.