The UK Ministry of Defense has awarded a contract extension worth £656 million to BAE Systems to advance the concept and technology of the next-generation combat aircraft, known as Tempest in the UK.
The new funding will build on the innovative science, research and engineering already completed under the first phase of the contract delivered by the UK Tempest partners: BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce.
The UK Tempest partners, working closely with the Ministry of Defense in the UK, will now advance the maturity of more than 60 demonstrators of cutting-edge technology, digital concepts and new technologies. They are critical to the UK’s sovereign defense capability and will help shape the final requirements – along with Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) partners in Japan and Italy – for the combat air platform, which is expected to enter service with the Royal Air Force by 2035.
The aircraft is designed to be an innovative stealth fighter with supersonic capability and equipped with cutting-edge technologies, including state-of-the-art detection and protection capabilities. This will make the aircraft one of the world’s most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in service, delivering next-generation weapons that will win battles to protect the UK and its allies.
“The next tranche of funding for the future fighter aircraft will help merge the combined technologies and expertise we have with our international partners – both in Europe and the Pacific – to deliver this jet by 2035, and one that will protect our skies for decades to come,” explains Ben Wallace, UK Secretary of State for Defence
“Today, as planned, the UK Ministry of Defence is releasing the next tranche of funding. This shows that the UK is committed to working with international partners to deliver a next generation fighter jet by 2035. We are facing a growing threat from our adversaries, who are investing in combat and air defenses of their own. By investing in the GCAP, we will stay ahead of these intensifying and proliferating threats, and provide a highly credible deterrent capability for decades to come,” says Richard Berthon, Director of Air Combat, UK Ministry of Defence.
“This contract reflects the UK government’s ongoing commitment and ensures we can continue and mature this significant program, as well as enabling the vital technology pipeline that will drive innovation in the combat air sector, and beyond, for decades to come. This work is at the heart of the newly created Global Combat Air Programme; a major international partnership and ambitious effort between the UK, Japan and Italy with the common goal of delivering the next generation of combat air fighters,” emphasizes Herman Claesen, Managing Director of Future Combat Air Systems at BAE Systems Air Sector.
The GCAP builds on the substantial progress already made in the UK by BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK, Rolls-Royce and the UK Ministry of Defense, who have been working in partnership since 2018 to research, evaluate and develop a range of future next-generation combat air systems capabilities.
The program is expected to last for many decades, creating thousands of jobs and economic value for the UK, Italy and Japan, while sustaining critical sovereign skills for all three nations. The program is inspiring current and future generations to play their part in this vital international effort. There are already over 2,800 people working in the UK partners and wider industry, with almost 600 organizations under contract, including Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SME) and academic institutions.
Across UK industry, this program is driving investment in new digital technologies, tools and techniques, including model-based systems engineering with open architectures, digital twins and virtual environments. This will ensure that the next generation of combat aircraft is delivered faster and more cost-effectively than previous combat air programs.