Diehl Aerospace is working on a new technology designed to enable pilots of fighter jets such as the Eurofighter to interact directly with drones and other platforms involved in the mission. The goal is to expand the operational capabilities of fighter jets and prepare them for new mission scenarios.

Detailed and Comprehensive Situational Awareness

At the core of the concept currently under development is an additional control and display device (tablet) that can be used without making major changes to existing onboard systems. It is intended to provide the pilot with a detailed and comprehensive situational awareness in the future—ranging from mission data and flight routes to live video feeds from unmanned aerial vehicles. This would allow the pilot to receive reconnaissance data in real time, make tactical decisions based on the information gathered, and even control drones in the future. “We want to equip existing combat aircraft quickly and pragmatically for new requirements,” says Florian Maier, CEO of Diehl Aerospace. “Our developments thus make an important contribution to making Europe’s air defense fit for the future.”

Powerful Algorithms

The system is designed to significantly expand existing mission systems and the man-machine interface—that is, the interface between the pilot and the aircraft—without interfering with them. This means that complex system-level adaptations or new certifications would not be necessary. A particular challenge lies in displaying large amounts of data in real time. To this end, Diehl Aerospace is developing powerful algorithms that can present complex situational awareness in a clear and intuitive manner. An initial demonstrator has already shown that the concept is technically feasible and can be integrated into existing cockpit environments.

Contribution to Europe’s Technological Sovereignty

Diehl Aerospace, a joint venture between Diehl Aviation and Thales, has decades of experience in the development of avionics systems, control computers, and visualization technologies—including for the Tornado, Eurofighter, Tiger, NH90, and A400M. This expertise forms the basis for the further development of tomorrow’s flying platforms. With projects such as the retrofit of the Eurofighter, Diehl is making a significant contribution to expanding the operational capabilities of fighter aircraft and making them interoperable. Parts of the fleet can thus adapt much more quickly to new mission conditions. The retrofit of existing systems is just as important as the parallel development of new air defense platforms to meet the requirements of collaborative combat scenarios. “Europe needs networked, interoperable systems—from existing systems and fighter jets to the integration of future platforms,” said Maier. “The retrofitting of existing fighter jets is a crucial step in ensuring their long-term operational capability.”

Global Partner to the Aviation Industry

Diehl Aviation is a global partner to the aviation industry. The supplier is regarded as a pioneer that drives innovation and shapes the future of flight. Diehl Aviation is committed to making travel safer and more comfortable, conserving valuable resources, and providing customers across all business sectors with groundbreaking solutions. Diehl Aviation is a subsidiary of Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG. In the aviation industry, Diehl Aviation—including Diehl Aerospace (a joint venture with Thales)—is a leading systems supplier of aircraft systems and cabin solutions. Diehl Aviation currently employs more than 5,400 people and generates annual revenue of over 1.2 billion euros. Its customers include leading aircraft manufacturers such as Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and Embraer, as well as military partners, eVTOL aircraft manufacturers, and airlines and operators of commercial and business aircraft worldwide.

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