General Atomics Aeronautical Systems, Inc. (GA-ASI) has recently announced a new platform of its GAMBIT unmanned Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) series, built and enhanced for air-to-ground operations. Identified as GAMBIT 6, it is a loyal wingman/CCA that adds air-to-ground operations to its air-to-air capability.

The new multi-role platform, presented at the Defense IQ International Fighter Conference in Rome this month, is optimized for roles such as electronic warfare, suppression of enemy air defenses (SEAD), and deep precision strike, making it a versatile option for evolving defense needs. Built to increase combat mass, through high levels of automation and to reduce reliance on crewed fighters, GAMBIT 6 is being developed to address emerging threats in a denied operational environment.

As stated by GA-ASI President, David R. Alexander, “the modular architecture and signature-reducing internal weapons bay of GAMBIT 6 allow for easy integration of advanced autonomy, sensors, and weapons systems, ensuring that the aircraft can adapt to a wide range of operational scenarios.” At this stage, in accordance with the company announcement, the new drone version will be available for international procurement starting in 2027, with a “European-customized” versions deliverable in 2029. To proactively address potential market challenges in Europe, GA-ASI is establishing strategic industry partnerships across the continent to deliver sovereign capabilities for all its platforms (this element – together with the previously mentioned plan to field a “European-customized version” of the system – reinforces the idea that the United States, at both governmental and industrial levels, is actively “pushing” the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) program across Europe: editor’s note).

The GAMBIT Series is a modular family of unmanned aircraft designed to meet diverse mission requirements, including intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (GAMBIT 1); multi-domain combat (GAMBIT 2); advanced training (GAMBIT 3); stealth reconnaissance (GAMBIT 4); and a ship-based CCA (GAMBIT 5). It’s built around a common core platform that accounts for a considerable proportion of the aircraft’s hardware, including the landing gear, baseline avionics, and chassis. A common GAMBIT Core accounts for roughly 70% of the price among the various models, providing an economy of scale to help lower costs, increase interoperability, and enhance or accelerate the development of mission-specific variants like GAMBIT 6.

General Atomics has made clear that it is looking at multiple potential foreign sales opportunities with GAMBIT 6.

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