Diehl Aviation Developing Next-Gen Avionics for Europe’s Future Combat Air System

Diehl Aviation has officially confirmed its key role in one of Europe’s most ambitious military projects — the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). This groundbreaking program aims to redefine how air combat operations are carried out in the decades ahead, and Diehl is bringing its advanced avionics expertise to the table to help make it happen.

As one of Germany’s leading avionics suppliers with a long history in military aviation, Diehl Aviation is contributing cutting-edge technologies that will support the next generation of fighter jets and unmanned systems. Central to this effort is Diehl Aerospace, a trusted joint venture between Diehl and French defense giant Thales. Together, they are combining decades of engineering knowledge and operational experience to shape the future of Europe’s air defense.

Building the Brains of Future Fighter Jets

At the core of Diehl’s involvement is its work on high-performance avionics systems that can process massive amounts of mission data in real time. These systems will use artificial intelligence (AI) to assist pilots in making quick, effective decisions while flying missions in highly dynamic, unpredictable environments.

“FCAS is not only a key project for Europe’s defense autonomy but also a driving force for new aerospace technologies,” said Florian Maier, CEO of Diehl Aerospace. “Our focus is on delivering avionics that process critical information securely and instantly, while providing pilots with clear and reliable mission data.”

What is the Future Combat Air System (FCAS)?

The Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is Europe’s largest and most advanced defense program. It includes a combination of new technologies such as:

• Next Generation Fighter (NGF): A manned stealth fighter jet designed to lead future air combat operations.

• Remote Carriers (RCs): Unmanned aircraft that will support the NGF in missions like surveillance, electronic warfare, and strikes.

• Air Combat Cloud: A secure, digital network connecting all manned and unmanned systems, ground stations, and command centers.

Together, these elements will rely on a next-generation avionics infrastructure capable of distributing tactical data and decisions across a real-time digital network.

Diehl’s Next-Generation Avionics Platform

To meet these demands, Diehl is developing a revolutionary Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) platform. Unlike current systems where individual functions like flight control, navigation, and communications run on separate hardware, this new platform will host all avionics applications on a single, cyber-secure system.

The design will securely separate mission-critical and safety-critical functions, improving both system performance and operational safety. This integrated setup is a major advancement in managing the complexities of future air combat missions.

Seamless Connectivity for Manned and Unmanned Systems

Another vital area where Diehl is making contributions is in the development of the European EICACS program, which focuses on distributed computing for defense aviation. Here, Diehl’s expertise will help enable a secure and robust Air Combat Cloud that ensures real-time, latency-free communication between manned and unmanned systems — even in highly contested airspace.

Florian Maier highlighted the importance of this digital backbone, saying, “The pace and complexity of future air combat demand a new kind of digital backbone. We’re building that foundation through scalable, modular, and mission-ready IMA solutions.”

Next-Gen Cockpit Displays and Pilot Support

Diehl Aerospace is also driving innovation in cockpit technologies. Drawing on decades of experience in graphical computing and flight path rendering, the company is developing next-generation 3D cockpit displays. These systems will work alongside AI to deliver a clear, interactive, real-time view of terrain, threats, and mission data.

Part of the EU-funded EPIIC project, these advanced displays will allow pilots to see their operational environment in four dimensions (3D plus time) — greatly enhancing situational awareness and rapid decision-making during high-pressure missions.

Defining Standards for Europe’s Defence Future

Beyond developing new systems, Diehl Aerospace is actively helping define the architecture and technical standards for the NGWS through its role as co-coordinator of Germany’s national IMA technology initiative. This involvement underscores Diehl’s leadership in shaping the digital infrastructure of future European air combat systems.

Diehl Aviation’s integral role in the FCAS program marks a significant step forward for European defense aviation. By developing intelligent, secure, and integrated avionics platforms, Diehl is laying the foundation for a new era of air combat operations — one where manned and unmanned systems work together seamlessly, powered by AI, connected by a digital combat cloud, and controlled through advanced 3D cockpit systems.

With its rich legacy and future-focused innovations, Diehl Aviation is set to help Europe stay at the forefront of aerospace technology for decades to come.