The
three nations of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – UK, Italy, and Japan
– have unveiled a new concept model of their next generation combat aircraft at
Farnborough International Airshow.
Exhibiting
at the show together for the first time, the three GCAP government partners and
their lead industry partners BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Mitsubishi
Heavy Industries (Japan) showcased the significant strides they are making to
progress the delivery of a next generation combat aircraft. The new concept
model on display featured a much more evolved design with a wingspan larger
than previous concepts to improve the aerodynamics of the future combat
aircraft.
Engineers
from across BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are working
together under a collaboration agreement on the design and development of the
future combat aircraft using a range of innovative digital tools and
techniques, including computer based modelling and virtual reality to evolve
the aircraft’s design during its concepting phase.
Guglielmo Maviglia, Chief Global Combat Air
Programme Officer, Leonardo, stated, “The pace of the programme is extraordinary,
building on a solid foundation and industrial legacy in each country and
government led partnership. Since the treaty was signed in December 2023, the
programme has seen strong commitment from each partner. Each brings different,
but complementary, qualities and requirements. We are now working closely
together to exchange knowledge, address common challenges and achieve common
goals. The programme is immensely important for Italy, for Leonardo, including
our UK based business, and for wider Italian industry. GCAP represents the
future of combat air in a System of Systems perspective for our generations to
come.”
Herman Claesen, Managing Director, Future Combat Air
Systems, BAE Systems, stated, “In
the 18 months since the launch of the Global Combat Air Programme, we’ve been
working closely with our industrial partners in Italy and Japan under the
collaboration agreement, and also with the three governments, to understand and
align requirements for a next generation combat aircraft. The new model,
unveiled at Farnborough International Airshow, shows notable progress in the
design and concepting of this future fighter jet. We’ll continue to test and
evolve the design, as we move closer towards the next phase of the programme.”
The
combat aircraft, set to be in service in 2035, will be one of the world’s most
advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in service,
boasting an intelligent weapons system, a software driven interactive cockpit,
integrated sensors and a powerful next generation radar capable of providing
10,000 times more data than current systems, giving it a battle winning
advantage. GCAP is a strategically important partnership, bringing together the
governments of the UK, Italy and Japan, and their respective industries, to
collaborate on shared military and industrial objectives in the delivery of a
next generation combat air capability.
-
- The next generation combat
aircraft being developed by GCAP will be known as Tempest in the UK.
- The industrial leaders (Lead
Systems Integrators) on the GCAP are BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan).