Combat drones are becoming increasingly common in mixed patrols with piloted aircraft. Technical, strategic, and geopolitical analysis of this military revolution.
The concept of joint patrols
Joint patrols involving piloted aircraft and combat drones represent a major development in military air strategy. The principle is based on cooperation between a manned fighter, which retains the decision-making and command role, and several drones known as “loyal wingmen” or “remote carriers,” capable of carrying out complementary missions.
This combination increases operational efficiency. The pilot, at the heart of the system, directs autonomous vectors that can jam radars, attack ground targets, protect the fighter from missiles, or conduct advanced reconnaissance.
In the future of fighter aircraft, this human-machine synergy will become essential. It offers air forces a force multiplier without exposing more pilots, while optimizing costs compared to a fleet composed solely of manned fighters.
Key technologies for combat drones
The role of combat drones in a mixed patrol depends on their technological capabilities. Models currently in development incorporate electro-optical sensors, miniaturized AESA radars, electronic jamming systems, and artificial intelligence capable of managing tactical scenarios in real time.
This marks a milestone in the robotization of armies. Drones are no longer limited to surveillance missions, but actively participate in air patrol tactics. They can be sent ahead to attract enemy radars, saturate defenses, or execute precision strikes.
Certain prototypes, such as the American XQ-58 Valkyrie or the nEUROn developed by Dassault Aviation and its European partners, illustrate the potential of these platforms. The development of military drones aims to make these systems affordable, consumable, and easily deployable, unlike fighter jets, which represent investments of several hundred million euros.
Tests and experiments already conducted
Over the past decade, several countries have launched full-scale testing programs.
In the United States, the Skyborg program brings together the US Air Force and several manufacturers to develop artificial intelligence capable of controlling combat drones in cooperation with F-35 and F-22 aircraft. The XQ-58 Valkyrie has already completed mixed formation flights.
In Europe, the nEUROn has demonstrated its stealth flight capabilities and potential integration with future combat systems. As part of the SCAF (Future Air Combat System) program, France, Germany, and Spain are working on remote carriers, small drones capable of acting in swarms.
Russia is banking on the S-70 Okhotnik, a heavy drone designed to operate alongside the Su-57. China is developing the GJ-11 Sharp Sword and other models designed to accompany the J-20. These initiatives reflect a global trend: the role of combat drones is becoming indispensable in the evolution of aerial warfare.
Operational benefits for the military
Cooperation between drones and fighter jets offers several decisive advantages.
- Reduced human risk: a drone can be sent to the front line to detect or neutralize a threat without exposing a pilot.
- Saturation of enemy defenses: multiple drones operating in swarms can overwhelm an anti-aircraft system, opening the way for manned fighters.
- Tactical flexibility: drones can be specialized (electronic warfare, reconnaissance, strike), which increases the flexibility of a squadron.
- Controlled cost: even a sophisticated combat drone generally costs much less than a modern fighter jet. This makes it possible to multiply power without multiplying budgets.
For French air power, the integration of drones is a priority. The Rafale of tomorrow will operate in an environment where it will direct several drones on missions, thereby reinforcing the credibility of the air deterrence mission.
The challenges and limitations of this cooperation
Despite its potential, mixed patrols with piloted aircraft pose major challenges.
The first is that of secure communication. Drones must remain connected to the lead aircraft without risk of interception or jamming. The armed forces are therefore developing encrypted data links that are resilient to cyberattacks.
The second challenge concerns artificial intelligence. Giving autonomy to a combat drone requires strict rules of engagement to prevent uncontrolled firing. The ethical question of the human role in lethal decision-making remains central.
Finally, logistics is a constraint. Deploying a mixed squadron involves transporting not only manned aircraft but also their drones, control stations, and spare parts. This increases the complexity of external operations.
Countries ahead in mixed patrols
The United States
The US dominates the sector with programs such as Skyborg, Valkyrie, and the Collaborative Combat Aircraft integrated into the future NGAD. Its lead is based on colossal budgets exceeding several billion dollars and a mature industrial ecosystem.
China
Beijing is accelerating the development of military drones, investing in heavy and stealth platforms. The GJ-11, unveiled in 2019, demonstrates China’s desire to compete with the United States in this field.
Russia
With the S-70 Okhotnik, Russia is seeking to give the Su-57 a combat companion. But industrial delays and financial constraints are limiting the scope of its ambitions.
Europe and France
French air power is relying on the SCAF program to prepare for the future of fighter jets. Remote carriers, designed to accompany the NGF (Next Generation Fighter), will embody the European vision of cooperation between drones and fighter jets.
Strategic consequences for the armed forces
The integration of drones into air patrols is profoundly changing military air strategy. It allows countries that have them to compensate for reduced fleets by increasing the number of available vectors. It also redefines the concept of air superiority: it is no longer just the quality of piloted fighters that counts, but the ability to orchestrate a mixed human-machine force.
This evolution is also driving a race for innovation. The nations that take the lead will set new tactical standards. Conversely, those that lag behind risk seeing their military aviation lose relevance in an increasingly automated environment.
An aerial revolution underway
The exact role of combat drones in mixed patrols is not limited to simple support. They are becoming full-fledged players in air patrol tactics, paving the way for a new era in military aviation.
This revolution cannot be measured solely in technical terms, but also in doctrinal terms. It is redrawing the contours of French, American, Chinese, and Russian air power and prompting reflection on the very future of air combat. In the history of French and global fighter aircraft, this transformation will likely mark one of the most decisive turning points of the 21st century.
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