Though the idea was first explored in the USA and Australia – Israel has become a world leader in the technology.
By Hezy Laing
Israel’s emerging “loyal wingman” technology marks one of the most significant shifts in the country’s air‑combat doctrine in decades.
The concept is simple but transformative: autonomous drones that fly alongside manned fighter jets, shielding them from threats, extending their reach, and taking on the riskiest missions.
What was once theoretical is now moving rapidly toward operational reality.
Israel has not publicly confirmed that loyal‑wingman drones are already flying in combat, but senior defense officials have acknowledged that prototype systems are being tested, and several Israeli companies have revealed platforms that clearly fit the loyal‑wingman role.
Given Israel’s heavy use of autonomous systems in recent conflicts, it’s widely understood that the building blocks—AI navigation, autonomous target recognition, and secure manned‑unmanned teaming—are already in active use.
The core idea is straightforward.
A manned fighter, such as an F‑35I or F‑16I, becomes the “command node” for a small formation of drones.
These drones can scout ahead, jam enemy radars, carry weapons, or absorb incoming fire.
If a mission becomes too dangerous for a pilot, the drone takes the lead.
The pilot remains in control of the overall mission, but the drones operate with a high degree of autonomy, making decisions in milliseconds that a human simply couldn’t.
Several Israeli defense firms are driving this revolution.
Israel Aerospace Industries (IAI) has unveiled advanced unmanned combat air vehicles capable of teaming with fighters.
Elbit Systems is developing AI‑driven autonomy packages and secure data links that allow drones to communicate with manned aircraft in real time.
Rafael is contributing sensor fusion, electronic‑warfare suites, and defensive systems that allow drones to detect and counter threats independently.
Together, these companies form the backbone of Israel’s loyal‑wingman ecosystem.
The growth trajectory is steep.
Over the next decade, Israel is expected to field full squadrons of unmanned wingmen, each tailored to a specific mission—deep‑strike, electronic warfare, air‑defense suppression, or reconnaissance.
As the technology matures, a single pilot may command multiple drones simultaneously, creating a force‑multiplying effect that dramatically increases Israel’s reach and survivability.
This shift also reflects a broader strategic reality.
Israel faces adversaries equipped with long‑range missiles, dense air‑defense networks, and increasingly sophisticated drones.
Loyal‑wingman systems give the Israeli Air Force (IAF) a way to penetrate these environments without risking pilots, while maintaining the precision and judgment that only a human commander can provide.
In short, Israel’s loyal‑wingman technology is not just an upgrade—it’s the beginning of a new era in air combat, one in which manned and unmanned aircraft fight as a single, intelligent team.
