Three countries of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the UK, Italy, and Japan, unveiled a new concept model of their next-generation combat aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow, according to the European Defence Review.
GCAP’s three government partners and their leading industry partners BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) will demonstrate the significant strides they are making to advance the delivery of a truly next generation combat aircraft. The new concept model features a much more advanced design and wingspan, which will improve the aerodynamics of the future combat aircraft.
Engineers from BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are working together under a co-operation agreement to design and develop the future combat aircraft. They have used a range of innovative digital tools and techniques, including computer modelling and virtual reality, to develop the aircraft’s design during its concepting phase.
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.
Guglielmo Maviglia, Chief Global Combat Air Programme Officer, Leonardo, noted:
“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.”
Hitoshi Shiraishi, Senior Fellow, GCAP, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, Ltd, pointed out:
I also hope that this GCAP programme, with the broad participation of Japan’s defence companies, will foster innovation in the country’s industrial sector such as digital transformation, as well as the development of human resources in the field of science and technology.
The combat aircraft to be in service in 2035 will be one of the most advanced, interoperable, adaptable, and networked fighter aircraft in the world. It will be equipped with an intelligent weapon 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.
GCAP will bring together the UK, Italian, and Japanese governments and their respective industries to work together on common military and industrial objectives to develop the next generation of combat aircraft.
The programme is essential to the security, political, and economic prosperity of each country and through effective knowledge and technology transfer will help develop and deliver important sovereign aviation warfighting capabilities in each country for future generations.
