An Airbus briefing slide showing the modular nature of the heavy RC concept. (Airbus via Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Airbus has showcased a new modular concept for an armed ‘heavy loyal wingman' to be operated as part of the wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Shown at the International Fighter Conference 2022 (IFC 2022), taking place in Berlin on 16 November, the Remote Carrier (RC) concept features a common fuselage with interchangeable mission and weapon systems to suit the needs of the mission.

As depicted in the artwork, the heavy RC features three interchangeable radar payloads for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic attack, respectively. An internal weapons bay can carry jamming pods or a range of munitions or effectors, including two MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs), two GBU-54 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), four MBDA Select Precision Effects At Range-Electronic Warfare (SPEAR-EW) effectors, or two smaller ‘light' RCs.

An Airbus briefing slide showing the modular nature of the heavy RC concept. (Airbus via Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Airbus has showcased a new modular concept for an armed ‘heavy loyal wingman' to be operated as part of the wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Shown at the International Fighter Conference 2022 (IFC 2022), taking place in Berlin on 16 November, the Remote Carrier (RC) concept features a common fuselage with interchangeable mission and weapon systems to suit the needs of the mission.

As depicted in the artwork, the heavy RC features three interchangeable radar payloads for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic attack, respectively. An internal weapons bay can carry jamming pods or a range of munitions or effectors, including two MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs), two GBU-54 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), four MBDA Select Precision Effects At Range-Electronic Warfare (SPEAR-EW) effectors, or two smaller ‘light' RCs.

An Airbus briefing slide showing the modular nature of the heavy RC concept. (Airbus via Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Airbus has showcased a new modular concept for an armed ‘heavy loyal wingman' to be operated as part of the wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Shown at the International Fighter Conference 2022 (IFC 2022), taking place in Berlin on 16 November, the Remote Carrier (RC) concept features a common fuselage with interchangeable mission and weapon systems to suit the needs of the mission.

As depicted in the artwork, the heavy RC features three interchangeable radar payloads for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic attack, respectively. An internal weapons bay can carry jamming pods or a range of munitions or effectors, including two MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs), two GBU-54 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), four MBDA Select Precision Effects At Range-Electronic Warfare (SPEAR-EW) effectors, or two smaller ‘light' RCs.

An Airbus briefing slide showing the modular nature of the heavy RC concept. (Airbus via Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Airbus has showcased a new modular concept for an armed ‘heavy loyal wingman' to be operated as part of the wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Shown at the International Fighter Conference 2022 (IFC 2022), taking place in Berlin on 16 November, the Remote Carrier (RC) concept features a common fuselage with interchangeable mission and weapon systems to suit the needs of the mission.

As depicted in the artwork, the heavy RC features three interchangeable radar payloads for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic attack, respectively. An internal weapons bay can carry jamming pods or a range of munitions or effectors, including two MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs), two GBU-54 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), four MBDA Select Precision Effects At Range-Electronic Warfare (SPEAR-EW) effectors, or two smaller ‘light' RCs.

An Airbus briefing slide showing the modular nature of the heavy RC concept. (Airbus via Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Airbus has showcased a new modular concept for an armed ‘heavy loyal wingman' to be operated as part of the wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Shown at the International Fighter Conference 2022 (IFC 2022), taking place in Berlin on 16 November, the Remote Carrier (RC) concept features a common fuselage with interchangeable mission and weapon systems to suit the needs of the mission.

As depicted in the artwork, the heavy RC features three interchangeable radar payloads for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic attack, respectively. An internal weapons bay can carry jamming pods or a range of munitions or effectors, including two MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs), two GBU-54 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), four MBDA Select Precision Effects At Range-Electronic Warfare (SPEAR-EW) effectors, or two smaller ‘light' RCs.

An Airbus briefing slide showing the modular nature of the heavy RC concept. (Airbus via Janes/Gareth Jennings)

Airbus has showcased a new modular concept for an armed ‘heavy loyal wingman' to be operated as part of the wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS).

Shown at the International Fighter Conference 2022 (IFC 2022), taking place in Berlin on 16 November, the Remote Carrier (RC) concept features a common fuselage with interchangeable mission and weapon systems to suit the needs of the mission.

As depicted in the artwork, the heavy RC features three interchangeable radar payloads for air-to-air, air-to-ground, and electronic attack, respectively. An internal weapons bay can carry jamming pods or a range of munitions or effectors, including two MBDA Meteor beyond-visual-range air-to-air missiles (BVRAAMs), two GBU-54 Joint Direct Attack Munitions (JDAMs), four MBDA Select Precision Effects At Range-Electronic Warfare (SPEAR-EW) effectors, or two smaller ‘light' RCs.