GA-ASI Partners With INTEC Group to Pitch Gambit Drones for Germany

German firm INTEC Group is set to support General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) in its bid to provide Gambit collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) for Germany’s future “loyal wingman” requirement.

The signed memorandum of understanding at the ILA Berlin Air Show tasks INTEC with supporting the integration of mission systems for the Gambit platform, supporting its entry into operational service in Germany, as well as providing logistics and sustainment services.

The partnership seeks to deliver sovereign capabilities for Berlin as the Bundeswehr pursues uncrewed “loyal wingman” aircraft that can operate alongside crewed fighter jets by 2029, similar to the US Air Force’s CCA program.

GA-ASI and INTEC face competition from several rival offerings, including the Boeing Defence Australia-Rheinmetall MQ-28 Ghost Bat, Helsing’s CA-1 Europa, and Airbus-Kratos’ XQ-58A Valkyrie drones. 

“INTEC’s experience in mission system architecture and integration will help GA-ASI to ensure that new capabilities for Gambit are produced on time and will be ready to meet the increasing demand for CCA from European nations,” said GA-ASI CEO Linden Blue.

Modular Drones

GA-ASI President David Alexander described the Gambit Series as a “modular family of uncrewed aircraft built around a common core” to accelerate development while keeping costs low.

Gambit aircraft share about 70 percent common key components, including the landing gear, baseline avionics, and chassis.

They are offered in six variants: long-endurance intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance; air-to-air combat; advanced trainer; stealth combat reconnaissance; carrier-based operations; and air-to-ground combat.