Airbus builds software-defined backbone for collaborative combat

In defence aerospace and military aviation, the ability to coordinate crewed and uncrewed platforms is becoming a core operational requirement. Airbus Defence and Space is addressing this shift with a software-defined approach to collaborative combat, centred on mission autonomy, secure connectivity and open onboard computing architectures.

From isolated platforms to collaborative combat systems
In October 2024, a joint surveillance mission conducted over a European test range demonstrated how artificial intelligence can support real-time cooperation between uncrewed aerial vehicles (UAV). Two UAVs manufactured by Primoco UAV operated in a synchronised flight pattern, dynamically adapting to mission conditions rather than following fixed, pre-programmed routes.

The mission was coordinated by Airbus’ AI-supported mission autonomy software Mindshare, which enabled the UAVs to exchange data, detect threats and reconfigure their tasks in real time. Human involvement was limited to supervisory control, marking a departure from traditional one-operator-to-one-platform models.

This demonstration reflects a broader transition toward collaborative combat, where software enables multiple crewed and uncrewed assets to operate as a single, coordinated system.




Mission autonomy as an operational capability
Mindshare functions as a mission-level orchestration layer. It enables dynamic task allocation, real-time mission updates and coordinated decision-making across platforms while remaining independent of specific airframe lifecycles. This decoupling allows operational capabilities to evolve through software updates rather than long hardware upgrade cycles.

For pilots, collaborative combat systems reduce cognitive workload by delegating tasks such as forward sensing, electronic warfare or decoy operations to uncrewed teammates. For commanders, the ability to deploy larger numbers of networked uncrewed systems increases operational resilience and creates tactical options for operating in heavily defended environments.

Software-defined defence and faster adaptation cycles
Airbus is positioning collaborative combat within a broader software-defined defence framework. Traditional military platforms are often technologically advanced but digitally fragmented, with limited interoperability and slow upgrade paths. By shifting focus from platform-centric development to software-centric architectures, Airbus aims to shorten adaptation cycles from decades to months or weeks.

This approach supports continuous updates to mission logic, autonomy functions and data processing, allowing air forces to respond more rapidly to evolving threats. Platforms become nodes in a distributed combat network, capable of sensing, processing and sharing information across domains in real time.




A modular architecture for connected air operations
Airbus describes its collaborative combat ecosystem using a layered architecture:

Together, these elements enable interoperability across different platforms and vendors while maintaining sovereign control over data and mission-critical software.

Strengthening Europe’s defence ecosystem
Beyond individual products, Airbus is positioning itself as a system-of-systems integrator, combining industrial-scale deployment with collaboration across Europe’s defence technology ecosystem. This model supports strategic autonomy by ensuring that critical software, data and communications remain under European control.

As air operations increasingly rely on distributed, autonomous systems, the ability to integrate sensing, decision-making and action across a network of crewed and uncrewed platforms is becoming decisive. Airbus’ software-defined approach to collaborative combat illustrates how mission autonomy and open architectures are reshaping the future of air power in Europe.

www.airbus.com