Diehl Defence and POLARIS Raumflugzeuge GmbH have formally entered an exclusive cooperation agreement aimed at developing innovative airborne defense systems. The agreement, signed by Helmut Rauch, CEO of Diehl Defence, and Dr. Alexander Kopp, CEO of POLARIS, at the ongoing Paris Air Show, focuses on integrating Diehl Defence’s effectors, particularly the IRIS-T air-to-air guided missile, onto POLARIS’ unmanned aerial carrier systems.
The collaboration seeks to create an “Airborne Launching and Attack System” (AirLAS), which is expected to introduce new operational dynamics and significantly enhance capabilities for armed forces. According to the companies, key advantages of the AirLAS approach include extended range and a considerably increased effective reach for engagement.
The partnership anticipates initial flight tests of the integrated system to occur within the current year. The combined solution, leveraging a flight-proven and reusable carrier system with the established capabilities of the combat-proven IRIS-T guided missile, is designed to be a cost-effective, multi-domain capable answer to contemporary challenges in ground-based air defense.
The joint statement mentioned that the AirLAS system holds strong potential for future applications, including integration into the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and potential use in maritime environments, as well as serving as a basis for long-range hypersonic systems. This strategic cooperation underscores both companies’ commitment to pioneering advanced solutions for modern defense needs.
