Flying Wedge Defence Unveils Full-Scale AI-Piloted Fighter Jet Prototype

Flying Wedge Defence has unveiled what it describes as India’s first full-scale AI-piloted fighter jet prototype, marking a significant step in the country’s development of autonomous defence aviation systems.

The aircraft forms part of the company’s FWD Supreme programme. According to Flying Wedge Defence, the prototype weighs more than 1,500 kg, can carry a payload of 350 kg and is being developed around an autonomous combat architecture.

The full-scale prototype was unveiled in the presence of a defence representative from India’s Ministry of Defence. The company says the programme places India among a small group of countries pursuing advanced autonomous combat-aircraft programmes.

Flying Wedge Defence is seeking to integrate the Manik turbofan developed by India’s Defence Research and Development Organisation. The proposed integration is intended to increase indigenous content and reduce dependence on foreign components that could create supply-chain delays.

The company is also developing FWD Supreme Lite, a smaller version designed for the Indian Army. Flying Wedge Defence says the lighter aircraft is approximately 90% indigenous and uses an India-made engine manufactured by UMS in Coimbatore.

AI-piloted aircraft are designed to combine autonomous navigation, mission planning and combat decision-support systems. Their development has become a strategic priority as defence organisations explore unmanned platforms for surveillance, electronic warfare and high-risk combat missions.

The prototype announcement signals growing participation by Indian private-sector companies in aerospace and defence technology. Further information on flight-testing timelines, certification, production plans and operational deployment will be important as the FWD Supreme programme progresses.