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Mitsubishi Heavy Industries Reveals AI-Powered Combat Support Drones Ahead of 2025 Test Flights.
At the 2024 International Aerospace Exhibition held at Tokyo Big Sight in Ariake, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (MHI), a key player in Japan's defense sector, unveiled two concept models of AI-equipped combat support drones, including the ARMDC-20X (AI). These drones are part of Japan’s national defense strategy, aiming to develop “teaming” capabilities between manned and unmanned aircraft as part of an international program with the United Kingdom and Italy for a next-generation fighter expected to be operational by 2035. Leveraging AI, these autonomous drones promise innovative solutions to support air superiority.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries has unveils for the first time a full-scale model of a combat support drone, the ARMDX-20X, which is currently in the design phase (Picture source: X Channel @kuKfLrRg6jqQJ9C )
MHI officials confirmed that the first test flights of AI-equipped combat support drones will be conducted in 2025 under a contract with Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics Agency (ATLA). This milestone marks significant progress toward integrating drones into combat support roles alongside piloted fighter jets. In a geopolitical context marked by heightened tensions with China, this initiative is part of Japan’s efforts to balance aerial power dynamics through advanced technology.
The showcased drones are divided into two types. The first model, located on the right in the photo, is designed for air-to-air missions and was presented as a 1-meter model, representing 10% of the actual planned size of 10 meters. MHI envisions integrating these drones into a production model akin to the automotive industry to streamline manufacturing costs for future mass production. The second model, with an actual length of 6 meters, has a missile-like shape and includes a forward-mounted camera similar to the Electro-Optical Targeting System (EOTS) used for detection and tracking. This configuration is primarily intended for reconnaissance, while the first model focuses on interception and aerial combat.
MHI's combat support drone concept emphasizes four core features: advanced AI technology, cost-effective expendability, versatility across missions, and stealth design to evade enemy radar. This approach reflects Japan’s urgent need for drones capable of supporting piloted fighters in high-risk missions, enhancing pilot survivability in hostile environments. By employing drones for dangerous missions, Japan seeks to optimize resources, reduce risks to pilots, and maintain a competitive combat force amid the numerical advantages of neighboring countries.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries is not alone in developing combat support drones. This project is part of a broader national framework, with companies such as Kawasaki Heavy Industries, SUBARU, and Japan Aircraft Supply also advancing autonomous systems research and development. In 2022, MHI initiated an exploratory study on integrating AI into drones, funded by ATLA, and received additional funding in 2024 to assess the safety of combat support drone software. In this collaborative effort, Kawasaki secured a contract worth 3.9 billion yen in 2022 for research on improving autonomous combat support drones' performance. Meanwhile, SUBARU focuses on reducing drone system costs, and Japan Aircraft Supply conducts feasibility analyses for autonomous support missions, backed by a 200 million yen research budget.
The expansion of these projects underscores Japan's commitment to equipping itself with unmanned combat systems that fully integrate with conventional air forces. By enhancing collaboration between drones and piloted aircraft, Japan aims to offset numerical disadvantages in its air forces compared to rapidly growing opposing fleets. In conclusion, MHI and its partners’ projects represent a pivotal step in modernizing Japan’s air defense capabilities, blending technological innovation with economic strategies. The scheduled 2025 test flights are expected to usher in a new era of autonomous, coordinated aerial combat, providing Japan with solutions to address future security challenges.