German consortium selected to build AI backbone for FCAS

The German Federal Office of Bundeswehr Equipment, Information Technology and In-Service Support (BAAINBw) has contracted the HIS consortium to provide the artificial intelligence (AI) infrastructure for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The consortium, composed of Helsing, Schönhofer Sales and Engineering (SSE)—a subsidiary of Rohde & Schwarz—and IBM Deutschland, will develop a cross-functional platform designed to accelerate AI deployment for military air operations.

FCAS is a joint project between Germany, France, and Spain focused on developing next-generation fighter aircraft and unmanned systems. The new AI backbone will serve as a centralized development environment, enabling partners to process sensor data, plan missions, and deploy AI-driven capabilities more efficiently. The project is a key component of the Next Generation Weapon System (NGWS) national research and technology initiative.

Each partner brings specialized capabilities to the project: Helsing contributes defense-focused AI development, SSE provides real-time situational awareness and analytics, and IBM supplies the secure cloud infrastructure required for military operations. The platform is intended to support high-performance AI development that can be seamlessly integrated across the Bundeswehr’s complex defense architecture.