Bengaluru-based military technology firm Flying Wedge Defence & Aerospace (FWDA) has introduced the FWD Supreme, a new artificial intelligence-driven combat aircraft initiative.
This project seeks to elevate India into an exclusive tier of countries actively engineering autonomous fighter jets. The startup recently declared that the project's initial testbed, the FWD Supreme Lite, is slated to make its maiden flight by the autumn of 2026.
The company highlights this effort as India’s premier venture into fully AI-piloted fighter jets. This development places India alongside global players like the United States, Germany, and Turkey, all of which are vigorously advancing their own unmanned combat aviation programs.
The "Mobbing Doctrine"
Rather than functioning as standard remote-controlled drones piloted by operators on the ground, the FWD Supreme is being engineered for complete autonomy.FWDA states the aircraft will utilise artificial intelligence to manage flight controls, process sensor data, and make split-second combat decisions. The architecture is designed to execute complex missions in highly contested airspace with virtually no human input.
The operational strategy driving this project is what FWDA founder and CEO Suhas Tejaskanda terms the "Mobbing Doctrine." This framework shifts away from relying on a single, expensive piloted aircraft.
Instead, it proposes launching a network of AI-guided jets that work together as an intelligent, coordinated swarm to overpower high-value adversary targets.
Tejaskanda explained that this strategy leverages intelligent networking and machine-speed coordination to create a distinct tactical advantage.
By fielding less expensive, networked platforms, military forces can absorb the loss of a few jets in combat while the remaining swarm presses on to neutralize enemy air defences.
He emphasised that the future of aerial warfare will be dominated by adaptable systems working in unison, rather than individual fighter planes.
Leadership & Indigenous Development
The ambitious project is being driven entirely out of FWDA’s Bengaluru facility.Founded in 2022, the startup has rapidly expanded its portfolio, previously gaining attention for its FWD-200B unmanned bomber and the 100km-range FWD-LM01 loitering munition.
For the FWD Supreme, the company has assembled a roster of seasoned aerospace specialists.
The development team is headed by flight control expert Girish Dixit, former Secretary of the Aeronautical Development Agency (ADA).
He is joined by V. Subba Rao, a former Project Director for the Light Combat Aircraft (LCA) Tejas, alongside specialists in propulsion, avionics, and structural design. Together, the team brings decades of experience in military aviation to the private sector.
Phased Rollout & Specifications
Development is split into distinct phases and variants to ensure a scalable rollout of the technology.The FWD Supreme Lite (a 250-kg class aircraft) will act as the first flying testbed.
Insights gained from its scheduled Q3 2026 flights will directly inform the engineering of the FWD Supreme Heavy, a larger one-tonne platform built for extended missions, including surveillance, strike operations, and collaborative combat.
Phase 1 Targets (FWD Supreme Heavy)
| Capability | Target Specification |
|---|---|
| Maximum Speed | Up to Mach 0.9 |
| Cruise Speed | Approximately Mach 0.5 |
| Operational Range | 700 to 1,000 kilometres |
| Autonomy | Fully autonomous take-off, mission execution, and landing |
Looking beyond these initial milestones, FWDA has mapped out a Phase 2 roadmap that targets supersonic speeds nearing Mach 2.
Future iterations are also expected to feature low-observable (stealth) designs, enhanced survivability, and highly sophisticated multi-aircraft teaming capabilities.
