FCAS/NGWS Remote Carriers

The Remote Carrier pillar of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS, SCAF in France) develops uncrewed aircraft to operate alongside a crewed fighter for France, Germany and Spain, as part of the Next Generation Weapon System. FCAS was launched by France and Germany in 2017 and joined by Spain in 2019, and the DGA notified the Phase 1B demonstrator contract on behalf of the three nations in December 2022, with MBDA and the Spanish SATNUS consortium among the industrial partners. After France and Germany abandoned the joint New Generation Fighter in June 2026, the three nations approved the preliminary design review of the MBDA Remote Carrier Compact demonstrator in summer 2026, with a first flight targeted for 2029. Airbus says the Phase 1B contracts end in late 2026.