Flying Wedge Unveils AI-Piloted Fighter Jet Concept ‘FWD Supreme’; First Demonstrator Flight Targeted for Q3 2026
Indian defence technology company Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA) has unveiled its AI-piloted fighter jet concept, FWD Supreme, marking a significant step in the country’s efforts to develop autonomous combat aircraft. The company has also announced that the first flight of its technology demonstrator, FWD Supreme Lite, is targeted for the third quarter of 2026. The programme aims to reshape future air combat through an approach known as the Mobbing Doctrine.
According to FWDA, the initiative is the first of its kind in India. Furthermore, the company said the programme places the country alongside a small group of nations, including the United States, Turkey and Germany, that are pursuing AI-piloted fighter aircraft designed for future combat operations.
AI-Piloted Combat Aircraft Programme
FWDA said FWD Supreme differs from conventional unmanned aircraft because it will fly using artificial intelligence rather than relying on continuous remote control by human operators. The aircraft is intended to combine advanced situational awareness, sensor fusion, autonomous decision-making, cognitive mission execution and combat capabilities within a next-generation fighter platform.
The company stated that the aircraft is being designed to perceive, analyse, decide and act in highly contested environments while requiring only minimal human intervention. As a result, the platform is expected to operate with a high degree of autonomy during complex missions.
Mobbing Doctrine Shapes Design Philosophy
FWDA is developing the aircraft around the Mobbing Doctrine, a warfare concept proposed by the company’s Founder and Chief Executive Officer, Suhas Tejaskanda.
According to Tejaskanda, the concept focuses on deploying multiple AI-piloted fighter aircraft as a coordinated swarm against higher-value manned enemy platforms. He said the approach relies on intelligent networking, autonomous decision-making and cost asymmetry to address expensive combat scenarios. Even if several aircraft are lost during an engagement, the remaining platforms can continue to overwhelm enemy defences or compel opposing fighters to withdraw.
He added that the doctrine aims to serve as a force multiplier by changing both the economics and operational dynamics of aerial warfare. Moreover, he said future air superiority will depend on intelligent, adaptive combat systems operating together as a network at machine speed rather than on a single fighter aircraft.
Indigenous Development and Leadership Team
FWDA said it is manufacturing the platform at its Bengaluru facility. The programme is led by Girish Dixit, former Secretary of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA) and a specialist in control systems.
The development team also includes V. Subba Rao, former Project Director of the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas programme, G. Radhakrishnan, who specialises in airframe and structural systems, Mahesh Prabhakar Padwale, an expert in propulsion and engine integration, and R.S. Rao, who focuses on avionics and weapon integration.
According to the company, the team brings decades of experience across military aviation, fighter aircraft development, aerospace engineering and advanced defence technologies.
FWD Supreme Variants
FWDA has outlined two versions of the aircraft under development.
The FWD Supreme Lite belongs to the approximately 250 kg all-up weight class. It is intended to serve as the initial technology demonstrator and operational test platform. The company has scheduled its first flight for the third quarter of 2026.
The FWD Supreme Heavy belongs to the approximately one-tonne class. It is designed for extended-range autonomous combat operations and can be configured for intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance (ISR), strike missions, collaborative combat and future air-dominance roles.
Performance Targets and Future Roadmap
For the first phase of development, FWDA has outlined a maximum speed of up to Mach 0.9 and a cruising speed of around Mach 0.5. The aircraft is expected to achieve an operational range of between 700 km and 1,000 km, depending on the mission profile. In addition, the platform is planned to perform autonomous take-off, mission execution and recovery.
Looking ahead, the second phase of development targets supersonic performance approaching Mach 2. The roadmap also includes enhanced AI-enabled mission autonomy, improved survivability, low-observable characteristics and expanded multi-aircraft autonomous teaming capabilities.