Bavarian Minister-President Dr. Markus Söder visited General Atomics AeroTec Systems (GA-ATS) in Oberpfaffenhofen today. The visit focused on the Gambit uncrewed combat aircraft and the potential role of the Bavarian site in its integration and support. By presenting the Do228 NXT and providing insights into engineering, manufacturing, and workshop operations, the company also demonstrated the existing industrial capabilities on which such a role could build.
Using a full-scale Gambit model, General Atomics explained the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) concept. These uncrewed aircraft can operate independently or alongside crewed combat aircraft, extending their capabilities. With Gambit, General Atomics Aeronautical Systems (GA-ASI) aims to combine American platform technology with German and European mission systems.
Gambit is a modular family of aircraft that includes the FQ-42A, which is already flying and in production. For Germany, the focus is on adapting the system to Luftwaffe requirements. Its open systems architecture enables the incorporation of German and European technologies, providing the foundation for integrating sovereign mission systems.
“We have been investing in businesses in Germany for more than 30 years. With Gambit, we want to combine a platform that is already flying with German technology and jointly create new capabilities for the Luftwaffe. Where orders and production volumes provide a sound economic basis, we would also like to invest further in Germany,” said Linden P. Blue, CEO of General Atomics Aeronautical Systems.
General Atomics sees potential roles for Oberpfaffenhofen in mission system integration, technical support, and, in the longer term, manufacturing. The scope and structure of this involvement will depend on German requirements, government decisions, and specific agreements with industrial partners.
The industrial foundation is already in place at the site: GA-ATS brings together engineering, aircraft manufacturing, in-house workshops, maintenance, repair, and technical support in Oberpfaffenhofen. In addition to building the Do228 NXT, the company supports the worldwide Do228 fleet.
As a DEMAR-145-certified maintenance organization, GA-ATS also performs base maintenance on the Bundeswehr’s NH90 transport helicopters. The site thus combines the knowledge and practical capabilities required to develop, build, and support aircraft throughout their operational lives. This work sustains skilled jobs and preserves industrial expertise in Bavaria.
By establishing a new site in Nordholz, Lower Saxony, GA-ATS is creating additional maintenance and repair capacity for Bundeswehr aviation systems, underscoring its long-term commitment to Germany.
Söder then toured the Do228 NXT and the aircraft manufacturing facilities. Unveiled in June 2026, the multipurpose aircraft is built in Oberpfaffenhofen and designed for passenger and cargo transport as well as special missions, including maritime surveillance and medical evacuation flights.
“With the Do228 NXT, our employees demonstrate what we can achieve in Oberpfaffenhofen: we develop, build, and support aircraft. This requires experienced engineers, skilled specialists in manufacturing and our workshops, and the knowledge gained from supporting our customers worldwide. We want to build on this foundation to further develop the site and, in the future, take on roles within the Gambit program,” said Harald Robl, Managing Director of General Atomics Europe.
