FIA2024 – The Global Combat Air Programme’s presses ahead
The trinational Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) unveiled a new concept model of their next generation combat aircraft at FIA2024
Exhibiting at the show together for the first time, the three GCAP government partners, the UK, Italy and Japan, and their lead industry partners BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) confirmed their commitment to the programme and highlighted the progress it is making towards delivery of the next generation combat aircraft which will be known as Tempest and will be a component of the UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS)) ‘system of systems’ for the Royal Air Force.
The Lead Sub-System Integrators on the programme are Avio Aero (Italy), ELT Group (Italy), IHI (Japan), Leonardo (Italy and UK), MBDA (Italy and UK), Mitsubishi Electric (Japan) and Rolls-Royce (UK).
Engineers from the partner nations 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 conception phase. The manufacture of the main aircraft structure of the UK’s first crewed combat air demonstrator is underway at BAE Systems’ Samlesbury facility, using advanced manufacturing technologies, virtual simulators and digital rigs. The demonstrator aircraft, which is scheduled to fly by 2027 will incorporate some stealth features, including an internal weapons bay.
Japan’s commitment to the GCAP was shown by the visit at FIA2024 by the Japanese defence minister while some 20 BAE Systems engineers have arrived in Japan to work closely with Mitsubishi Heavy Industries.
Meanwhile other nations are watching the progress of the GCAP with interest including Saudi Arabia and Sweden, and it was interesting to see Indian markings on the new concept model at FIA2024 although there are no plans to expand the programme at the present time.
Photo by D. Oliver
