Airbus is preparing two uncrewed combat aircraft

European defense-industrial context

• Many see this as part of the EU building a more capable, less US‑dependent military industry; others argue it’s mainly reprogramming a US platform (Kratos Valkyrie) with European datalinks and AI, not true indigenous capability.
• Some note Europe already has major arms exporters; the real advantage is having industrial base and know‑how that can be scaled quickly in crisis.
• There is concern about slow, politicized German/EU procurement and whether this becomes another over-complicated, over-priced project instead of mass, cheap systems.

Role and design of the “loyal wingman” drones

• These are described as “loyal wingman” aircraft: fast, low‑observable drones working with manned fighters to extend sensor reach, carry weapons, perform SEAD, or take higher-risk roles.
• They are contrasted with Shahed‑style one‑way attack drones and FPV quadcopters; closer analogies are higher-end stealthy combat drones (e.g., other nations’ “loyal wingman” programs).
• Airbus’ MARS/MindShare stack is pitched as an open, software‑defined “brain” coordinating mixed manned/uncrewed formations.

Autonomy, control, and comms

• Debate centers on how much autonomy these systems will actually have. Initial concepts retain human pilots for weapons release, with the drone executing delegated tasks.
• Some expect autonomy to steadily grow, with pilots becoming supervisors while AI coordinates tactics across many platforms.
• Others worry about jamming, satellite vulnerability, and what drones do under degraded links (abort vs continue mission); these state‑machines and rules of engagement are seen as critical and unclear.
• There is disagreement over whether fully autonomous “kill chains” already exist; some point to long‑standing weapons with onboard decision logic, others reserve “AI” for more complex target discrimination.

Cost, scale, and lessons from Ukraine/Iran

• Threads compare $4M‑class “attritable” drones to expensive interceptor missiles; opinions differ on whether this cost-exchange is favorable.
• One camp argues recent wars show the decisive impact of cheap mass drones and that Western focus on exquisite platforms is outdated.
• Another camp counters that cheap drones can’t replace high‑end jets and long‑range sensor/strike systems, which remain essential for air dominance, deep strike, and countering peer adversaries.

Ethical and strategic concerns

• Several comments express fear that uncrewed combat systems will lower political and social barriers to war and increase civilian harm, especially as AI assumes more lethal decision-making.
• Others argue war has historically grown more destructive regardless of technology, and that adversaries “get a vote,” so ignoring autonomous capabilities is not an option.