As if that wasn’t enough, Europe has decided to put two different sixth-generation fighters into service by 2040. It’s all part of a confusing landscape that’s hard to keep straight—mostly because both teams have taken the same nomenclature for their programs as the Future Combat Air System (FCAS). But wait, it gets better: late last year, the UK, Italy, and Japan signed an agreement to form the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), which is somehow related but also separate to the UK-led FCAS effort.
The so-called Tempest, and the Future Combat Air System: Explanation The UK journey had its origin with the Future Combat Air System Technology Initiative, or FCAS TI, that was first announced in 2015’s Strategic Defence and Security Review. It aimed to exploit British industrial technologies in replacing the Royal Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoons. The Combat Air Strategy of 2018 underlined its “international by design” approach to maximize the export potential in developing a sixth-generation aircraft.
In 2018, UK’s then-defense secretary Gavin Williamson unveiled the Tempest “concept aircraft” at the Farnborough Airshow with UK suppliers BAE Systems, Leonardo, MBDA and Rolls-Royce as “Team Tempest” partners. The UK is also working in cooperation with Italy on this project.
Differentiating Tempest from FCAS
FCAS is the overarching label that describes a set of technologies and the future fighter design, while Tempest is the fighter R&D program; the UK will fly a Tempest demonstrator in 2027. The final product may or may not retain the name Tempest, and the design may change as lessons are learned.
Italy and Sweden’s Roles
Italy has been a part of the FCAS effort since September 2019, driven by a desire to have a greater say in the program compared to the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS program. Sweden signed a Memorandum of Understanding with the UK in July 2019 for a “joint combat air development and acquisition programme.” However, Sweden’s participation remains limited to FCAS technologies as opposed to a core fighter jet partnership.
Introducing GCAP
Announced in late 2022, GCAP should bring a sixth-generation fighter into service by 2035, supported by uncrewed aircraft, new weapons, and advanced data systems. This program is supposed to replace the UK and Italian Eurofighter Typhoons, together with Japan’s Mitsubishi F-2s.
Japan’s Strategic Choice
Some of the reasons that drive the Japanese decision to integrate its F-X fighter program with that of the UK and Italy include developmental schedules, wherein the Japanese F-X and UK Tempest programs keep pace with each other. In addition, the three countries have agreed upon common tactical requirements for a large, multi-role, twin-engine, long-cruise-range, and stealth fighter.
The collaboration will allow Japan, the UK, and Italy to share development costs and technology risks. The willingness of the UK to share sensitive technological information also became a critical factor. It differs from the United States, which refused to share such confidential technological information. Lastly, the collaboration plans to increase production units to decrease unit costs and capture export markets.
Franco-German-Spanish FCAS (SCAF)
The FCAS, also known as the Système de combat aérien du futur (SCAF) in France, will replace French Rafale jets and German and Spanish Eurofighter Typhoons. Next-generation weapon system SCAF is to be composed of three main elements: a next-generation fighter, remote carriers, and an air combat cloud network capability.
Development Stages and Challenges
The two main industry NGF demonstrator contractors, Airbus and Dassault, put their signatures on a Phase 1B contract in December 2022 with a view to developing an NGF prototype that will fly in 2029. However, this cooperation has continuously been hampered by work-share disagreements and divergent operational requirements between France and Germany.
Conclusion
The landscape surrounding sixth-generation fighter programs in Europe is complex, with parallel but different paths many countries are engaging in. In that respect, there is the case of the UK’s FCAS and Tempest, together with the contribution by Italy; Sweden is conducting limited work on its behalf, while the GCAP collaboration goes on with Japan—underline the opposite ways taken to meet next-generation air superiority. Meanwhile, a different set of challenges and ambitions surround the Franco-German-Spanish SCAF program.