The AirLAS system could be truly revolutionary, as modern warfare deemphasizes the purely manned platforms and instead favors unmanned systems moving at high speeds.
The Germans are building an unmanned hypersonic spaceplane—and they intend to arm it with IRIS-T missiles. This is according to German Diehl Defence and POLARIS Raumflugzeuge GmbH, two defense firms that have entered into a joint development deal to bring this audacious project into fruition.
All About Germany’s “AirLAS” Unmanned Aircraft
Referred to as the “Airborne Launching and Attack System,” AirLAS for short, this system is clearly part of the ongoing, drastic European rearmament project in response to the much-feared Russian threat to the continent. Designed with interoperability among the various NATO states in mind, the AirLAS is intended to overcome current sophisticated ground defenses Western rivals employ in their military operations.
These birds can outfly existing air defenses because of their hypersonic speed and unpredictable maneuverability. By marrying them with the already proven IRIS-T short-range missile, the AirLAS will redefine aerial combat operations for decades to come.
This highly maneuverable, short-range IRIS-T missile is typically fired by manned warplanes. By merging it with the unmanned AirLAS, the Germans are innovating for tomorrow’s wars. In sum, the AirLAS will ensure Western forces can both pop current Russian and Chinese anti-access/area-denial (A2/AD) bubbles and, thanks to its speed and maneuverability, impose significant costs upon the enemy by dominating the contested airspace.
Could the AirLAS Be Combined With the FCAS Program?
Interestingly, there are some reports that the Germans are considering making this system interoperable with the developing Future Combat Air System (FCAS), a multinational program to develop Europe’s indigenous sixth-generation warplane.
Like the American and Chinese sixth-generation warplanes, the designers of FCAS envision the plane not merely being a super advanced warplane but, instead, being a “system of systems.”
In other words, FCAS would be a mixed, manned-unmanned system. By marrying an unmanned hypersonic spaceplane to the potential FCAS sixth-generation warplane, European designers—if they can get this expensive, complex system of systems online—might end up creating the most sophisticated sixth-generation warplane in the world, simply because of the presence of the AirLAS system.
The designers of the AirLAS system have explained to media outlets that the unmanned platform will be modular, designed for integration with future air combat and missile systems.
This system could be truly revolutionary, as modern warfare deemphasizes the purely manned platforms and instead favors unmanned systems moving at high speeds, capable of delivering vast amounts of firepower upon contested targets.
At least with the AirLAS system, Germany’s defense industry is starting to answer the call of Europe for drastic rearmament in the face of perceived Russian aggression. Whether this will all be for naught given the inherent weakness of Europe’s defense industrial base remains to be seen. But this is the most promising system put forward by the increasingly security-conscious Europeans in recent memory.
About the Author: Brandon J. Weichert
Brandon J. Weichert, a Senior National Security Editor at The National Interest as well as a contributor at Popular Mechanics, who consults regularly with various government institutions and private organizations on geopolitical issues. Weichert’s writings have appeared in multiple publications, including the Washington Times, National Review, The American Spectator, MSN, the Asia Times, and countless others. His books include Winning Space: How America Remains a Superpower, Biohacked: China’s Race to Control Life, and The Shadow War: Iran’s Quest for Supremacy. His newest book, A Disaster of Our Own Making: How the West Lost Ukraine is available for purchase wherever books are sold. He can be followed via Twitter @WeTheBrandon.
Image: Shutterstock / aapsky.
