Airbus equips A400M for drones, fire missions, and warzone jamming

Airbus is significantly upgrading its A400M tactical airlifter to enhance its versatility for modern military and crisis missions. The aircraft is being equipped with advanced broadband satellite communication systems to serve as a flying battlefield data hub, enabling large data transfers and real-time video feeds to mission commanders. This upgrade supports integration with the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS), allowing the A400M to act as a node in a shared Combat Cloud network. Additionally, the A400M is being tested as a drone mothership capable of carrying and deploying up to 50 small or 12 large drones, facilitating coordinated manned-unmanned operations well ahead of FCAS’s 2040 launch. Beyond communication and drone command roles, Airbus is enhancing the A400M’s electronic warfare capabilities. Twenty-three German A400Ms will receive Directional Infrared Countermeasures (DIRCM) to defend against infrared-guided missiles, and the aircraft is being explored as a stand-off jammer platform, leveraging its size