Defense & Military
Kratos and KAI Partner to Advance Manned-Unmanned Teaming in Air Combat
Kratos and Korea Aerospace Industries form alliance to develop Manned-Unmanned Teaming systems enhancing air combat with interoperable drones and fighter jets.
Forging the Future of Air Combat: Kratos and KAI Unite for Manned-Unmanned Teaming
The landscape of aerial warfare is undergoing a seismic shift, moving away from a reliance on single, high-value piloted aircraft toward a more distributed, resilient, and lethal model. At the heart of this transformation is Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T), a concept where crewed fighter jets operate in concert with autonomous, uncrewed aerial systems (UAS), often called “loyal wingmen.” This approach multiplies a pilot’s capabilities, extending sensor range, increasing firepower, and allowing commanders to take calculated risks in contested environments without endangering human lives. The integration of these Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) is no longer a futuristic fantasy; it is a strategic imperative for modern air forces seeking to maintain a technological edge.
In a significant move that underscores this global trend, U.S.-based Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc. and South Korea’s premier aerospace Manufacturers, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), announced a strategic partnership on October 27, 2025. This collaboration is not merely a transactional agreement but a deep technological alliance aimed at jointly researching, developing, and integrating next-generation MUM-T solutions. By combining Kratos’s combat-proven, affordable autonomous platforms with KAI’s advanced fighter jet programs, the partnership seeks to accelerate the deployment of interoperable systems that can serve the defense needs of both the United States and its key allies. This alliance represents a pivotal moment in the evolution of air power, promising to enhance operational flexibility and create a more formidable, collaborative fighting force.
A Partnership Built on Complementary Strengths
The Kratos-KAI partnership is a textbook example of strategic synergy. Each party brings a unique and essential set of capabilities to the table, creating a whole that is greater than the sum of its parts. Kratos has established itself as a disruptive force in the defense industry, specializing in the rapid development of high-performance, low-cost unmanned tactical aircraft. Their portfolio includes the XQ-58A Valkyrie, a stealth-capable Drones that has been a cornerstone of the U.S. Air Force’s CCA experimentation programs. The Valkyrie is designed from the ground up to embody the concept of “affordable mass”, the ability to field a large number of effective, attritable assets to overwhelm an adversary.
On the other side of the Pacific, Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI) stands as South Korea’s sole aircraft manufacturer, responsible for flagship programs like the T-50 Golden Eagle advanced trainer, the FA-50 light combat aircraft, and the nation’s ambitious next-generation fighter, the KF-21 Boramae. KAI provides not only advanced aerospace manufacturing prowess but also the critical platform that will team with these new autonomous systems. The collaboration allows KAI to de-risk its entry into the complex world of MUM-T by integrating a mature and tested system, potentially leapfrogging years of independent development.
The core objective of this alliance is to create scalable and interoperable MUM-T applications. This includes developing autonomous loyal wingmen that can fly alongside fighters like the KF-21, creating distributed sensing networks where drones act as the forward eyes and ears of the pilot, and enabling collaborative strike missions where uncrewed platforms engage high-risk targets. The focus on interoperability is crucial, ensuring that the resulting systems can communicate and operate seamlessly not just with each other, but with the broader allied force structure.
Bolstering a Critical Alliance in the Indo-Pacific
This partnership extends far beyond corporate interests, carrying significant geopolitical weight. It reflects a deliberate U.S. strategy to strengthen its alliances through co-development and co-production of critical defense technologies. By working together, the U.S. and South Korea are not just sharing hardware but are also aligning their operational concepts and industrial bases. This deepens the U.S.-South Korea alliance, transforming it from a traditional security pact into a robust technological and industrial partnership. The establishment of a vice minister-level Defense Science and Technology Executive Committee in late 2024 laid the groundwork for such collaborations, and the Kratos-KAI agreement is a tangible result of that high-level commitment.
For South Korea, this collaboration is a critical enabler of its national defense strategy. The nation faces a unique and pressing challenge: a projected sharp decline in its military-age population, which threatens its ability to maintain a large conscript-based force. In response, the Defense Acquisition Program Administration (DAPA) has prioritized the rapid integration of AI and autonomy to offset these demographic pressures. Autonomous systems are seen as a necessity to maintain force readiness and technological superiority. While South Korea has indigenous loyal wingman programs in development, such as Korean Air’s Low Observable Wingman UAV System (LOWUS), partnering with an experienced firm like Kratos provides an immediate injection of proven technology and expertise.
“This partnership represents the next step in evolving how crewed and uncrewed aircraft operate together in contested environments. By combining Kratos’ proven autonomous jet systems with KAI’s advanced technologies, we are expanding the boundaries of affordable mass and collaborative combat capability for U.S. and allied forces.” – Steve Fendley, President of Kratos’ Unmanned Systems Division.
The ultimate goal is to create a more resilient and effective collective defense posture in the Indo-Pacific. Interoperable MUM-T systems mean that U.S. and South Korean forces can train together more effectively and, if necessary, fight together with a shared understanding of tactics and technology. This enhances deterrence by signaling to potential adversaries a unified and technologically advanced front.
The Future of Collaborative Combat
The Kratos-KAI partnership is a clear indicator of where air warfare is headed. The era of the lone fighter pilot is giving way to a new paradigm where pilots act as mission commanders, orchestrating a team of autonomous systems from the cockpit. This shift promises to make air forces more lethal, survivable, and adaptable to the complex threats of the 21st century. The collaboration will likely accelerate the maturation of MUM-T technologies, pushing the boundaries of what is possible in autonomous flight, distributed sensing, and AI-driven decision-making.
Looking ahead, the success of this partnership could serve as a model for other allied nations seeking to develop similar capabilities. The emphasis on co-development and interoperability ensures that as more allies adopt MUM-T, they can form a networked force capable of operating in a truly integrated fashion. The journey ahead will involve overcoming significant technical and doctrinal challenges, but the strategic alignment between Kratos and KAI provides a strong foundation for success, promising to shape the future of air power for years to come.
FAQ
Question: What is Manned-Unmanned Teaming (MUM-T)?
Answer: Manned-Unmanned Teaming is a military concept where crewed aircraft, such as fighter jets, operate in synchronization with uncrewed autonomous systems, often called “loyal wingmen” or Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). The UAV act as force multipliers, extending the pilot’s sensor range, carrying extra weapons, and performing high-risk tasks.
Question: Who are the main companies in this partnership?
Answer: The Partnerships is between Kratos Defense & Security Solutions, Inc., a U.S. company known for its affordable, high-performance drones like the XQ-58A Valkyrie, and Korea Aerospace Industries (KAI), South Korea’s leading aerospace manufacturer, which produces aircraft like the KF-21 Boramae fighter jet.
Question: Why is this partnership strategically important?
Answer: It strengthens the U.S.-South Korea defense alliance by moving beyond traditional cooperation into co-development of advanced technology. It also helps South Korea accelerate its adoption of autonomous systems to address demographic challenges and enhances the interoperability and collective defense posture of allied forces in the Indo-Pacific region.
Photo Credit: Montage – KAI – Kratos
Military Technology
Saab Demonstrates Autonomous BVR AI Agents on Gripen E
Saab unveiled in-house AI agents for autonomous BVR air combat on the Gripen E after two years of flight testing.
Saab AB has successfully demonstrated autonomous Beyond Visual Range (BVR) air combat capabilities using proprietary artificial intelligence agents integrated into a Gripen E fighter aircraft. The Swedish aerospace manufacturer officially unveiled the in-house technology on November 3, 2026, following approximately two years of airborne testing.
In a press release issued today, Saab confirmed the flight trials mark a critical step toward developing collaborative combat aircraft networks, where crewed and uncrewed systems operate as a coordinated force. The milestone underscores the company’s strategy to maintain sovereign control over its technology stack rather than relying entirely on external software providers.
Sovereign AI development and the Sferical facility
Saab centralized its artificial intelligence development under the AI Fighter Pilot Academy (AIFPA), an infrastructure designed to create, train, and evaluate AI agents. The department driving this initiative, Saab Advanced Programs, features a workforce where 40 percent of the staff hold doctorate-level qualifications, according to Aviation International News.
Peter Nilsson, Head of Advanced Programs at Saab Aeronautics, emphasized the operational focus of the project.
“We have not only built our own AI agents, but we have also flown them. This demonstrates our capability to develop AI agents that can be integrated into operational fighter aircraft. The future of air combat will not be defined by individual platforms acting alone, but by networks of crewed and uncrewed systems working together as a coordinated force. Through our ownership of the entire technology stack, we are building the capabilities needed for that future.”
To support this development, Saab recently implemented the Sferical AI facility in Linköping, Sweden. Part-owned by Saab, Ericsson, and AstraZeneca, the sovereign computing asset utilizes Nvidia’s DGX SuperPOD architecture. Aviation International News reported that the facility is powered by 1,152 Nvidia Grace Blackwell GB300 graphics processing units. This computing power allows Saab to run a one-hour flight test simulation one billion times in the same period, compared to just 1,200 times in a traditional central processing unit environment.
Speaking to Breaking Defense, Nilsson outlined the primary challenge facing the AIFPA following the successful flight trials.
“The harder question is how we turn this success into a dependable capability that can learn, improve, and be relevant over time… that is the true purpose of the AI Fighter Pilot Academy.”
Gripen E architecture and testing timeline
Saab, which employs approximately 31,000 people globally, utilized the Gripen E as the primary testbed for its AI agents. The aircraft features a software-defined architecture that segregates mission software from flight-critical functions. This separation enables the rapid integration and testing of new technologies without requiring dedicated experimental platforms or compromising safety of flight.
Prior to unveiling its in-house agents, Saab collaborated with third-party developers to validate the aircraft’s autonomous potential. On May 28, 2025, a Gripen E trials aircraft flew for the first time with the Centaur AI agent developed by Helsing, demonstrating initial BVR air combat capabilities.
Following these third-party trials, Saab transitioned to testing its proprietary agents. The company briefed journalists on the readiness of its in-house AI agents for operational deployment on October 30, 2026, before the official public unveiling on November 3, 2026.
Collaborative combat and future integration
The integration of artificial intelligence into combat aircraft aligns with a broader industry shift toward Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) concepts. Defence contractors globally are developing networks where crewed fighters command uncrewed loyal wingman platforms.
Saab is actively testing the sensor networks required for these collaborative operations. On October 28, 2026, Saab and General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) successfully flight-tested an unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) capability, integrating Saab’s LoyalEye radar with an MQ-9B unmanned UAV.
Looking ahead, Saab anticipates that the Swedish Defence Materiel Administration (FMV) and the Swedish Air Force will absorb these AI agents into real-world operations within months or single digits of years, according to Aviation International News. In the interim, Saab plans to expand the capabilities of its agents by flying them in a broader range of scenarios, establishing the foundation for future uncrewed platforms.
AirPro News analysis
Saab’s insistence on sovereign, in-house artificial intelligence development contrasts with competitors who heavily outsource to commercial technology firms. By owning the entire technology stack, Saab positions itself to offer highly secure, exportable AI packages free from third-party licensing bottlenecks or foreign regulatory hurdles. The massive investment in the Sferical AI facility indicates we are seeing a shift from experimental AI flight tests to industrialized, mass-scale tactical training for autonomous systems. If Saab can deliver on its timeline for Swedish Air Forces integration, the Gripen E could become one of the first Western fighters to field operational, combat-ready AI agents in frontline service.
Photo Credit: Saab AB
Defense & Military
Greece Orders Up to Six Embraer KC-390 Millennium Aircraft
Greece signed a government-to-government deal with Portugal for up to six KC-390 Millennium aircraft, with first delivery in 2027.
The Hellenic Ministry of National Defense has signed a government-to-government agreement with Portugal to acquire up to six Embraer KC-390 Millennium multi-mission aircraft, making Greece the seventh European nation to select the Brazilian-built tactical airlifter.
Announced by Embraer in a press release on November 2, 2026, the contract includes three firm orders and options for three additional aircraft, with the first delivery to the Hellenic Air Force scheduled for 2027. The acquisition aims to modernize Greece’s airlift and air-to-air refueling capabilities while enhancing interoperability with allied North Atlantic Treaty Organization (NATO) forces.
Expanding the European footprint
The procurement is structured as a bilateral agreement between the governments of Greece and Portugal. By selecting the KC-390 Millennium, Greece joins a growing list of NATO and European Union member states transitioning to the jet-powered transport to replace legacy turboprop fleets.
Embraer views the Greek acquisition as a validation of the aircraft’s utility within the European defense architecture, where interoperability and multi-role flexibility are primary requirements for fleet modernization.
“We are honored by Greece’s decision to acquire the KC-390 Millennium. This choice underscores the trust and confidence that leading NATO members place in our aircraft,” Bosco Da Costa Junior, President and CEO of Embraer Defense & Security, said in the company statement. “This very important milestone further solidifies the aircraft’s position as a preferred solution for military airlift among NATO allies.”
Da Costa Junior added that the aircraft’s proven performance, reliability, and cost efficiency make it an ideal choice for nations seeking to enhance their operational capabilities.
The KC-390’s development and market position
The Embraer C-390 and KC-390 Millennium is a medium-size, twin-engine jet-powered military transport aircraft designed to perform aerial refueling, troop transport, and cargo airlift. Development of the platform began in the mid-2000s. The Brazilian Air Force formally joined the project in 2009 by awarding a development contract to Embraer, a manufacturer with over 55 years of history and more than 9,000 aircraft delivered worldwide.
The aircraft completed its maiden flight in 2015, achieved civil certification in 2018, and entered military operational service in September 2019. It was developed specifically as a modern, jet-powered alternative to legacy turboprop tactical transports like the Lockheed C-130 Hercules.
Greece is the seventh European nation to select the aircraft, joining Portugal, Hungary, the Netherlands, Austria, the Czech Republic, and Sweden. Outside of Europe, the aircraft has been acquired by the air forces of Brazil, the Republic of Korea, the Republic of Uzbekistan, the United Arab Emirates, and Colombia.
The program has seen significant momentum in recent months. On July 8, 2026, the Czech Air Force received its first C-390 Millennium transport aircraft, which featured a special three-tone gray camouflage designed by the Military History Institute in Prague. Shortly after, on July 23, 2026, Colombia signed a contract for two KC-390 Millennium transports, with one configured as a tanker to support its incoming Gripen fighter fleet.
AirPro News analysis
Embraer’s success in Europe with the KC-390 Millennium highlights a definitive shift in the tactical airlift market. For decades, the Lockheed Martin C-130 Hercules dominated this space. The KC-390’s jet-powered speed, payload capacity, and multi-mission flexibility have proven highly attractive to medium-sized NATO air forces looking to modernize. Securing Greece, a nation with stringent defense requirements and a focus on regional interoperability, validates Embraer’s strategy of leveraging early European adopters like Portugal to facilitate government-to-government sales. We expect this momentum to place increasing pressure on competing legacy platforms in upcoming recapitalization bids across the globe.
Photo Credit: Embraer
Defense & Military
US Army HADES Prototype ME-11B Completes First Flight
The U.S. Army’s first HADES prototype, a modified Bombardier Global 6500, completed its maiden flight on September 11, 2026.
The U.S. Army’s first High Accuracy Detection and Exploitation System (HADES) prototype completed its maiden flight on September 11, 2026, marking a critical milestone in the service’s transition from legacy turboprops to high-altitude jet intelligence platforms.
In a press release issued on October 30, 2026, the U.S. Army confirmed the flight followed extensive structural modifications by lead systems integrator Sierra Nevada Corporation (SNC) to convert a Bombardier Global 6500 business jet into a military sensor platform. The program aims to provide commanders with deep sensing capabilities to operate effectively in contested environments against advanced anti-access and area denial (A2/AD) threats.
Transitioning to deep sensing capabilities
The maiden flight represents the transition of the HADES program from the structural modification phase into mission system integration and developmental flight testing. Prior to the September 11 flight, engineers and test pilots completed structural modifications, installed mission system hardware, and conducted preliminary baseline airworthiness verification at SNC facilities, likely in Hagerstown, Maryland.
The U.S. Army is actively divesting its legacy turboprop intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR) fleet, which includes platforms such as the RC-12X Guardrail and MC-12S EMARSS. These older aircraft are being replaced by high-altitude jets capable of operating further from advanced A2/AD threats. Business jets like the Bombardier Global 6500 offer operational altitudes exceeding 50,000 feet and speeds around Mach 0.9, allowing onboard sensors to achieve greater line-of-sight over the horizon compared to lower-flying turboprops.
Lt. Col. (P) James Hickey, Project Manager for the U.S. Army Fixed Wing Project Office, emphasized the operational necessity of the new platform.
“The first flight of HADES Prototype 1 transitions our vision for deep sensing from concept to reality. Deep sensing is critical to maintaining decision advantage in the future fight. HADES will help commanders see farther, understand faster, and act with greater precision across the multi-domain battlefield.”
Program timeline and fleet development
The HADES platform is a core component of the Army’s broader Multi-Domain Sensing System (MDSS) initiative. The U.S. Army Fixed Wing Project Office, alongside the Project Director Sensors–Aerial Intelligence, manages the procurement and lifecycle of the asset.
Sierra Nevada Corporation was awarded the lead systems integrator contract for the HADES program in August 2024, a deal with a reported ceiling value of $991.3 million. The contract faced a brief suspension due to a protest by competitor L3Harris before proceeding. Bombardier subsequently delivered the first Global 6500 airframe to the U.S. Army in Wichita, Kansas, on November 25, 2024.
The U.S. Army officially designated the militarized Global 6500 as the ME-11B in early 2025. Fleet expansion has continued steadily since the initial delivery. On January 13, 2026, SNC announced the acquisition of a fourth Global 6500, intended to serve as the first non-prototype aircraft in the operational fleet.
Despite the hardware progress, the final acquisition objective for the HADES fleet remains unconfirmed by the U.S. Army. A January 2026 Request for Information outlined a fleet of 11 aircraft with an objective of 14. However, defense media reports from May 2025 indicated the Army might reduce the planned fleet to six aircraft due to budget realignments. The service has not publicly clarified the final fleet size in its recent communications.
Next steps in developmental testing
With the initial flight complete, the Army and SNC will spend late 2026 and 2027 integrating and testing HADES mission systems through a comprehensive developmental flight test program. This phase is designed to validate the aircraft’s multi-domain sensing and signals intelligence (SIGINT) capabilities.
The developmental testing will determine the effectiveness and operational readiness of the integrated systems ahead of formal operational demonstrations. Hickey noted that the achievement reflects the technical precision of military, civilian, and industry partners working to deliver transformational capabilities to the joint force.
AirPro News analysis
The successful first flight of the HADES prototype underscores a structural shift in military airborne ISR procurement. By selecting commercial business jets over bespoke military airframes or traditional turboprops, the U.S. Army is prioritizing altitude, speed, and payload capacity to counter modern A2/AD networks. This mirrors the U.S. Air Force’s approach with the E-11A Battlefield Airborne Communications Node (BACN) fleet, which also utilizes a Bombardier Global airframe. The strategy allows the military to leverage billions of dollars in commercial aviation research and development, reducing both unit costs and development timelines.
However, the unresolved questions surrounding the final acquisition objective highlight the ongoing tension between ambitious multi-domain operational requirements and constrained defense budgets. If the fleet is ultimately capped at six aircraft rather than the originally envisioned 14, the Army will need to carefully manage deployment cycles and maintenance schedules to maintain persistent deep sensing coverage in key theaters like the Indo-Pacific and Eastern Europe. A smaller fleet size would place a premium on the reliability and mission capable rates of the ME-11B platform.
Photo Credit: Photo courtesy SNC
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