Paris, January 13 - Dassault Aviation has announced a strategic partnership with French defense technology company Harmattan AI to advance controlled autonomy and artificial intelligence in next-generation combat aviation systems. On January 12, 2026, the aerospace giant led Harmattan AI's $200 million Series B funding round, marking a significant investment in sovereign, monitored AI solutions designed for high-stakes military environments. This collaboration underscores Dassault's commitment to integrating cutting-edge embedded AI capabilities, ensuring that future platforms maintain human oversight while enhancing operational effectiveness in complex air combat scenarios.
The partnership focuses on developing advanced AI for Dassault's flagship programs, particularly the upcoming Rafale F5 standard and the Unmanned Combat Air System (UCAS). The Rafale F5, slated for operational service around 2030, will benefit from enhanced manned-unmanned teaming (MUM-T) functionalities, allowing a single pilot to coordinate with autonomous unmanned systems. Harmattan AI's expertise in autonomy software will enable precise control of unmanned aerial vehicles, transforming the Rafale into a central node for collaborative missions that combine human decision-making with AI-driven execution.
The UCAS, envisioned as a loyal wingman drone, represents a key element of this evolution. First showcased at the Paris Air Show 2025, it is engineered to operate seamlessly alongside crewed fighters like the Rafale F5, performing tasks such as reconnaissance, electronic warfare, and strike support under supervised autonomy. By embedding Harmattan AI's technologies, Dassault aims to create systems that deliver superior situational awareness, faster response times, and reduced pilot workload while preserving full command authority and compliance with stringent sovereign requirements.
This initiative positions Dassault Aviation at the forefront of the global race to incorporate AI in fighter jets and autonomous combat drones. The strategic alliance with Harmattan AI not only accelerates innovation in French and allied defense capabilities but also reinforces Europe's technological sovereignty in an era of intensifying air domain challenges. With Harmattan AI rapidly scaling its portfolio, the partnership promises to shape the future of collaborative air combat for decades to come.
