MBDA's Remote Carrier Compact passes design review as FCAS framework winds down

France, Germany and Spain have completed the preliminary design review of MBDA's Remote Carrier Compact demonstrator, the company said on October 6, 2026. The validation took place during summer 2026.

Work on the vehicle was split between MBDA France and MBDA Germany, with Spanish partner SATNUS involved. It falls under the Next Generation Weapon System programme, at the centre of the Future Combat Air System effort.

MBDA said the approval opens the path to detailed design, manufacture and a maiden flight of the demonstrator in 2029. That date has not moved since June 2023, when the concept was shown at the Paris Air Show under the name Expendable Remote Carrier.

Teams finished the demonstrator's design, built several representative mock-ups and created a digital twin, according to the company. Ground work covered subsystem trials, integration and structural integrity mock-ups and wind tunnel runs. Simulation checked digital models and early algorithms.

In the first half of 2026 the results were presented at technical meetings in Spain, France and Germany. Customer representatives, including air force pilots from the three nations, gave feedback.

MBDA describes the Remote Carrier Compact as a collaborative combat drone for escort, reconnaissance and strikes on high-value targets. Illustrations issued with the announcement show it launched from an Airbus A400M transport and from a FREMM frigate.

The news comes as the framework funding the work nears its end. France and Germany pulled out of the joint New Generation Fighter in June.