France announces stealth combat drone to support Rafale F5 by 2033

Sébastien Lecornu, French Minister of the Armed Forces, has confirmed the development of a new combat drone to complement the upcoming Rafale F5 standard, set for deployment post-2030.  

The announcement was made on October 8, 2024, during a ceremony marking the 60th anniversary of the French Strategic Air Forces (FAS) at the Saint-Dizier Air Base in eastern France. 

“The first orders were notified to manufacturers a few weeks ago,” Lecornu said.

Dassault Aviation, which communicated after the Ministry’s announcement, is expected to play a significant role in the project. The new stealth combat drone, set to be operational by 2033, is designed to work alongside the Dassault Rafale F5. According to the manufacturer, it will include stealth technology and autonomous control systems, and will also have an internal weapons bay.

Leveraging the achievements of the nEUROn program

© Dassault Aviation – C. CosmaoSuch characteristics resemble those of the nEUROn technology demonstrator, a collaborative effort led by Dassault Aviation and involving multiple European contractors. The program began in 2003, with the nEUROn completing its first flight in December 2012.  

“This stealth combat drone, alongside the Rafale F5, will contribute to the technological and operational superiority of the French wings from 2033,” commented Éric Trappier, CEO of Dassault Aviation. “Dassault Aviation and its partners are proud to serve the Armed Forces and the DGA [French General Directorate of Armaments – ed. note]; their renewed trust honors and obliges us.” 

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Loyal Wingmen: A stopgap solution before the sixth generation of fighter jets? 

The concept, which will predate the Future Combat Air system program developed by France, Germany, and Spain, was first mentioned in the framework of the next French military programming law, for the 2024-2030 period. 

“The Rafale F5 standard will be developed during this military programming law,” read an amendment drafted in May 2023. “It includes in particular the development of a drone accompanying the Rafale, resulting from the work of the nEUROn demonstrator.” 

© Dassault Aviation – A. PecchiThe idea of keeping pilots and their expensive machines away from the action by relying on attritable drones with fighter-like capabilities, commonly referred to as ‘loyal wingmen’, is central to the sixth generation of fighter jets being developed.  

Such systems, however, could be operational before their piloted counterparts. In June 2024, Airbus presented its Wingman concept at the International Aerospace Exhibition ILA in Berlin, with which it expects to collaborate and support the Eurofighter Typhoon. 

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