Engineering news
Aimed at ‘adapting and responding to the security threats of the future’, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) combines work from the UK’s Tempest and Japan’s F-X programmes. The aircraft will still be known as Tempest in the UK.
With a goal of entering service by 2035, the project aims to explore and potentially integrate technologies including the ability to work alongside ‘loyal wingman’ uncrewed aircraft, advanced sensors, cutting-edge weapons and innovative data systems.
BAE Systems, which has worked alongside Leonardo UK, MBDA UK, Rolls-Royce and the UK Ministry of Defence on the Tempest project since 2018, previously announced plans to replace most of the aircraft’s physical controls with augmented-reality and virtual-reality (AR and VR) systems projected directly inside the visor of a pilot’s helmet. Known as the ‘wearable cockpit’, the technology is designed to provide pilots and ground operators with split-second advantages, as well as providing ‘instant’ configurability before missions.
New radar technology on the Tempest will also capture data equivalent to the internet traffic of Edinburgh every second, its development team previously said.
By combining forces with Italy and Japan on the next phase of the programme, the UK aims to utilise their expertise, share costs and ensure the RAF remains interoperable with its closest partners.
The prime minister said: “The security of the United Kingdom, both today and for future generations, will always be of paramount importance to this government.
“That’s why we need to stay at the cutting-edge of advancements in defence technology – outpacing and out-manoeuvring those who seek to do us harm.
“The international partnership we have announced today with Italy and Japan aims to do just that, underlining that the security of the Euro-Atlantic and Indo-Pacific regions are indivisible. The next-generation of combat aircraft we design will protect us and our allies around the world by harnessing the strength of our world-beating defence industry – creating jobs while saving lives.”
The partners will now work to establish the ‘core platform concept’ and set up the structures needed to deliver the massive defence project, ready to launch the development phase in 2025. Ahead of the development phase, partners will also agree the cost-sharing arrangements.
The UK will also assess the nation’s needs for any additional capabilities, such as weapons and uncrewed air vehicles.
Rolls-Royce Defence is building “positive momentum” with the international partners to develop power and propulsion technology for the aircraft, said executive vice-president Alex Zino. “In December 2021, we announced a target to jointly design, build and test an engine demonstrator. This work is progressing well and on track to deliver.”
About 2,500 people are already working on the programme in the UK. Beyond the ‘Team Tempest’ partners, more than 580 organisations are already on contract across the UK, including 91 SMEs and 26 academic institutions. The partners have recruited more than 1,000 apprentices and graduates since the launch of the project in 2018.
Last year, a report by professional services network PricewaterhouseCoopers suggested the UK taking a core role in a combat air system could support an average of 21,000 jobs a year and contribute an estimated £26.2bn to the economy by 2050.
More “likeminded countries” could join the project in future, the government said.
Navigate a turbulent future by watching Aerospace & Defence webinars, now available to watch on-demand here.
Content published by Professional Engineering does not necessarily represent the views of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers.