AI instead of pilot: India joins the race for unmanned combat aviation
India's Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace company has unveiled a full-scale ground prototype of the FWD Supreme combat aircraft designed for artificial intelligence control. The manufacturer presents it as the country's first development of its kind.
AI instead of a pilot: India has joined the unmanned combat aviation race
According to The Times of India, this aircraft is designed to take off, choose a route, and perform tactical maneuvers independently. The company plans to use it in reconnaissance, surveillance, strike missions, and joint operations with other aircraft.
The FWD Supreme Heavy belongs to the category of aircraft weighing approximately one ton. According to the manufacturer, its cruising speed should be 500–600 kilometers per hour, flight endurance two hours, and payload capacity around 350 kilograms. The company stated that the flight range exceeds 1,500 kilometers.
These figures are currently based on the manufacturer's statements. The presentation showcased a ground prototype, while the report did not provide flight test results.
According to FWDA, the platform was entirely designed in India and will be produced domestically. The company aims to make advanced combat aviation cheaper through its own technologies, artificial intelligence systems, and scaling up production.