UK initiates ACP Tranche 2 ‘loyal wingman’ program

UK Ministry of Defence Initiates Unmanned ‘Loyal Wingman’ Program

The United Kingdom has officially embarked on a strategic initiative to develop an unmanned ‘loyal wingman’ platform designed to complement its manned combat aircraft fleet. This initiative was underscored by a request for information issued by the Ministry of Defence (MoD) on July 29.

Overview of the Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) Initiative

Under the banner of the Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) Tranche 2 Preliminary Market Engagement Notice (PMEN), the MoD is actively seeking to gather insights regarding the current and projected landscape of ACP industrial capabilities. The aim is to align these insights with a specific suite of systems crucial to future combat operations.

• Context from the Strategic Defence Review
  The Strategic Defence Review published in June provides a pivotal framework for this initiative. It asserts that the Royal Air Force (RAF) must remain at the forefront of the evolution in combat air capabilities. Key recommendations include:
  • Transitioning from solely crewed aircraft to a Future Combat Air System (FCAS) that integrates a combination of crewed, uncrewed, and progressively autonomous platforms.
  • Investing in ACPs alongside FCAS initiatives and the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to secure the future of UK air combat capabilities.

Capabilities Sought in the ACP

The PMEN outlines specific system capabilities that the MoD aims to assess for the ACP, designated as ‘Collaborative Combat Aircraft’ (CCA) in U.S. defense terminology. These capabilities include:

• Electromagnetic/Electronic Warfare (EW) Payloads
  Systems designed to disrupt or deceive enemy radar and sensor systems.
• Stealth Air Vehicles
  Platforms engineered to minimize detection by enemy sensors, enhancing survivability in contested environments.
• One-Way Attack (OWA) Air Vehicles
  Uncrewed systems designed for specific strike missions with a singular focus on impact, sacrificing return capability for mission success.
• Autonomous Air Vehicles
  Platforms developed to operate with minimal human intervention, capable of executing complex tasks in dynamic combat scenarios.

Strategic Significance

This initiative not only underscores the UK’s commitment to modernizing its air combat capabilities but also highlights the increasing importance of integrating unmanned systems into established air force structures. The capability to deploy loyal wingman systems will provide the UK with enhanced operational flexibility, enabling more effective engagement in multi-domain operations.

In summary, the UK’s drive to develop a sophisticated ACP reflects a strategic pivot towards collaborative combat operations that leverage both manned and unmanned systems. Through this program, the MoD aims to bolster national defense while adapting to the evolving demands of modern warfare.