As a leading supplier of avionic systems with deep-rooted experience in military programs, Diehl Aviation is contributing with core competencies in high-critical integrated modular avionics, flight control computing and advanced display technologies.
A key part of this effort is being undertaken by Diehl Aerospace, a long-standing joint venture with Thales. Diehl Aerospace brings together engineering excellence and operational insight to shape the next generation of military avionics.
“FCAS is not only a cornerstone of Europe’s defense autonomy, but also a catalyst for future aerospace technologies,” says Florian Maier, CEO of Diehl Aerospace. “At the heart of our contribution are high-performance avionics solutions that process vast volumes of mission data, apply AI to assist pilot decision-making, and deliver mission-critical information – clearly, securely, and in real time.”
Advanced Avionics for the Next Generation Weapon System
At the core of FCAS lies the Next Generation Weapon System (NGWS), an integrated system-of-systems comprising the crewed Next Generation Fighter (NGF), unmanned Remote Carriers (RCs), and supporting assets across land, naval, and space domains. The NGF and the RC require a revolutionary avionics infrastructure capable of generating and distributing information and tactical decisions in real time, empowering pilots to act intuitively and decisively. Artificial intelligence is a key enabler in this context, providing scenario-based assistance to help pilots manage overwhelming data volumes and quickly evaluate options in highly dynamic mission environments.
Diehl is developing a next generation Integrated Modular Avionics (IMA) platform to meet these demands. The platform is designed with the potential to host all avionics applications - ranging from flight control to sensor fusion - on a harmonized and cyber-secure hardware basis. Unlike current fighter architectures, where separate computing systems serve individual functions, the NGWS requires the strict partitioning of safety- and mission-critical domains on a unified platform.
To ensure seamless real-time data exchange between manned and unmanned systems across a digital battlespace, FCAS will also rely on a robust and resilient Air Combat Cloud. Within the European EICACS program, Diehl Aerospace is contributing its expertise in distributed computing and services - enabling secure, latency-free connectivity in highly contested environments.
“The pace and complexity of future air combat call for a new digital backbone,” says Maier. “We are developing that backbone through IMA - scalable, modular, and mission-ready.”
As co-coordinator of Germany’s national IMA technology initiative for NGWS, Diehl Aerospace is leading efforts to define the underlying architecture and system standards.
3D Cockpit Technology: From Real-Time Terrain Rendering to 4D Visualization
Diehl has decades of experience in high-performance graphical computing, including the development of algorithms that render dynamic flight paths over realistic 3D terrain - with time as the fourth dimension. These technologies now form the foundation for a generational leap toward fully interactive 3D cockpit displays, combined with AI support to manage complex mission data. These displays will allow FCAS pilots to intuitively interpret threats, assess routes, and evaluate tactical scenarios within a constantly shifting operational picture. Diehl Aerospace is a key industrial partner in the EU-funded EPIIC project, which explores core technologies for these new visual interfaces.
About Diehl Aviation
Diehl Aviation is a global partner for the aviation industry. The supplier is recognized as a pioneer, driving innovation and enabling the future of flying. Diehl Aviation aims to make travel safer and more comfortable, save valuable resources, and present ground-breaking solutions to customers in all business areas. Diehl Aviation is a corporate division of Diehl Stiftung & Co. KG. Diehl Aviation (including Diehl Aerospace, a joint venture with Thales) is a leading system supplier of aircraft system and cabin solutions and currently has over 5,200 employees. Its customers include leading aircraft manufacturers Airbus, Boeing, Bombardier, and Embraer, military partners, manufacturers of eVTOL aircraft, and airlines and operators of commercial and business aircraft worldwide.