XY-Sensing in the European GARUDA Project
12.10.2026r.XY-Sensing Sp. z o.o. delivers sensor and electronic warfare solutions within the European GARUDA project, an unmanned combat aircraft designed to operate alongside fifth- and sixth-generation combat aircraft.
GARUDA is a reconfigurable autonomous collaborative unmanned aircraft (reconfiGurable Autonomous collaboRative UnmanneD Aircraft) project developed as part of building European integrated Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (U-CCA) capabilities.
Manned-unmanned teaming in the air (the so-called Loyal Wingman concept) is one of the most groundbreaking approaches in modern military aviation. It envisions the use of unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs/drones) operating alongside manned combat aircraft to support pilots in executing combat missions. The core element of this concept is the tight integration of human operators and autonomous unmanned aerial vehicles, which significantly enhances operational effectiveness and the safety of air mission execution.
The European GARUDA project focuses on a collaborative unmanned aerial vehicle with a modular architecture. The interchangeability of the platform’s constituent modules allows for the dynamic configuration of its components to achieve optimal effectiveness across a broad spectrum of kinetic missions and airborne electronic warfare support. Machine learning applied to expand the functionality of individual modules makes it possible to assemble a configuration tailored to the specific tactical requirements of a mission—such as low-altitude offensive operations, defensive operations in adverse weather conditions, or close air support tasks—significantly boosting their efficiency compared to multi-role platforms.
The goal of the GARUDA project is to establish a fundamental architecture for an Unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (U-CCA), providing the platform with the ability to evolve in response to the dynamic and long-term operational needs of European Union Member States' Armed Forces. Guaranteeing the U-CCA as a versatile platform that delivers a fleet of design variants built on a shared technological core is an innovative design and simulation process based on incremental iterations of the engineered system integrated with operational simulation. The use of a modular design represents a groundbreaking approach that underpins the long-term relevance of the U-CCA platform, while enabling the rapid development of new specialized variants as operational requirements and the needs of EU Member States' Armed Forces evolve.
The Polish company XY-Sensing is responsible for onboard sensor solutions—including resilient navigation sensors for GNSS (Global Navigation Satellite System) denied environments—and advanced electronic warfare systems within the GARUDA project. The advanced electronic warfare solutions are designed to provide the platform with high-level self-defense capabilities and the execution of a broad spectrum of electronic attacks, ranging from conventional jamming to advanced effects on radar systems, such as radar spoofing and deception.
What is the concept of Loyal Wingman about?
In the traditional model of air combat, the fighter pilot is responsible for all aspects of the mission: navigation, threat detection and avoidance, decision-making, and weapons employment. In the Loyal Wingman concept, a portion of these tasks is assumed by autonomous drones acting as trusted wingmen. They are programmed to collaborate with the lead aircraft, adapt to evolving conditions, and execute commands issued by the mission commander.
For tactical employment, autonomous collaborative drones can perform missions including:
- Reconnaissance, involving data collection across areas of operational interest,
- Jamming of adversary radar and communications systems,
- Electronic protection of the lead aircraft,
- Airborne decoy and target simulation operations,
- Kinetic strike operations.
Zalety strategii
One of the greatest advantages of the Loyal Wingman strategy is enhanced pilot safety. The most high-risk tasks can be delegated to unmanned platforms, which primarily reduces human exposure to danger while also expanding the maneuvering capabilities of the platforms themselves.
Another major asset is operational flexibility. Drones can be rapidly reprogrammed for diverse missions, and their loss is significantly less costly than that of a manned aircraft. This allows commanders to make bolder tactical decisions.
The economic aspect is also critical. The production and sustainment of drones are less expensive than those of technologically advanced manned aircraft, enabling an increase in mass and force size within constrained budgets.
The economic aspect is also critical. The production and sustainment of drones are less expensive than those of technologically advanced manned aircraft, enabling an increase in mass and force size within constrained budgets.
The Role of Artificial Intelligence
Artificial intelligence is a key enabler of manned-unmanned teaming in the air. It empowers drones to make real-time piloting decisions, build a tactical picture through sensor data analysis, and execute commands received from the mission lead.
Modern AI systems enable:
- Autonomous threat avoidance,
- Target recognition and identification,
- Flight trajectory optimization,
- Swarm intelligence and coordinated group operations.
However, despite growing autonomy, the human remains firmly "in the loop" (human-in-the-loop), particularly regarding the authorization and use of lethal force.
Challenges and limitations
Despite numerous advantages, the Loyal Wingman strategy also entails notable challenges. One of them is cybersecurity. Drones and communication systems will inevitably be targets for cyberattacks, which always poses the risk of attempted hijacking, disruption of machine learning algorithms, or compromise of the air mission itself.
The Loyal Wingman concept is a strategy redefining the conduct of airborne operations. By combining the capabilities of humans and machines, it enhances operational effectiveness, safety, and flexibility. Although numerous challenges remain before full deployment is achieved, it is undoubtedly one of the pivotal developmental directions for modern armed forces.
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