Hensoldt, Bulgaria’s Dronamics Unveil European Unmanned Early Warning System
Hensoldt and Dronamics have launched a joint initiative to develop an unmanned airborne early warning capability based on the Black Swan drone platform.
German sensor specialist Hensoldt and Bulgaria-based unmanned aircraft developer Dronamics have announced the development of a new unmanned airborne early warning (AEW) solution, combining long-endurance drone operations with integrated radar and mission systems.
The project centers on Dronamics’ Black Swan unmanned aircraft, originally designed for long-range cargo missions, which will be adapted to host Hensoldt’s airborne surveillance payloads. The German manufacturer is contributing its PrecISR multi-mode radar, along with elements of its MissionGrid sensor integration architecture and mission management software.
According to the companies, the concept is intended to provide persistent airspace monitoring across strategic regions, including Europe’s eastern flank, the Mediterranean basin, and Atlantic approaches. The system is positioned as a cost-efficient alternative to traditional manned AEW platforms, particularly for countries seeking expanded coverage without the acquisition and lifecycle costs associated with large airborne early warning aircraft.
The initiative reflects a broader shift within the European defense-industrial base toward leveraging unmanned systems for intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance roles. By pairing a medium-altitude, long-endurance unmanned aircraft with modular sensor packages, the partners aim to offer scalable surveillance capacity for both military and dual-use missions.
From an industrial perspective, the cooperation links a German Tier-1 defense electronics supplier with an emerging aerospace manufacturer from Bulgaria. The partnership highlights the increasing integration of Central and Eastern European technology firms into high-end sensor and surveillance programs.
For Germany, the project supports ongoing efforts to expand European-controlled surveillance and sensor ecosystems. For Bulgaria, it signals a move into higher-value defense aerospace segments beyond logistics-focused unmanned operations.
As European governments accelerate investment in air and missile defense and situational awareness under NATO capability targets, unmanned AEW concepts could attract further attention, particularly among smaller allies seeking affordable force multipliers within the NATO framework.
Initial flight demonstrations of the integrated system are planned for later in 2026, with further development milestones expected to follow.
