UK unveils new next generation fighter jet, the 'Tempest'
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From: Peripatetic
Tempest mission profile (previously) rules out a carrier based version.
The problem being those are exactly the technologies the UK, Japan and Italy want to develop independently as national key technologies - not buy into US ITAR programmes.
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From: Peripatetic
Offeset or just an inevitable result of closer cooperations?
Important confirmations by RID Director, of what we were saying fe days ago, about the new 🇮🇹✈️ Italian Air Force MPA: 🇯🇵 Kawasaki P1 has been chosen.
Integrated by 🇮🇹 made:
➡️ Combat Suite Atos (Leonardo)
➡️ MU90 Heavy Torpedo
➡️ Marte ER B2+ ASW/ASuW missile.
Great machine!
Important confirmations by RID Director, of what we were saying fe days ago, about the new 🇮🇹✈️ Italian Air Force MPA: 🇯🇵 Kawasaki P1 has been chosen.
Integrated by 🇮🇹 made:
➡️ Combat Suite Atos (Leonardo)
➡️ MU90 Heavy Torpedo
➡️ Marte ER B2+ ASW/ASuW missile.
Great machine!
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From: 3rd Rock, #29B
Offeset or just an inevitable result of closer cooperations?
Important confirmations by RID Director, of what we were saying fe days ago, about the new 🇮🇹✈️ Italian Air Force MPA: 🇯🇵 Kawasaki P1 has been chosen.
Integrated by 🇮🇹 made:
➡️ Combat Suite Atos (Leonardo)
➡️ MU90 Heavy Torpedo
➡️ Marte ER B2+ ASW/ASuW missile.
Great machine!
Important confirmations by RID Director, of what we were saying fe days ago, about the new 🇮🇹✈️ Italian Air Force MPA: 🇯🇵 Kawasaki P1 has been chosen.
Integrated by 🇮🇹 made:
➡️ Combat Suite Atos (Leonardo)
➡️ MU90 Heavy Torpedo
➡️ Marte ER B2+ ASW/ASuW missile.
Great machine!
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From: Here 'n' there!
Last edited by Hot 'n' High; 28th March 2025 at 08:43.
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From: Peripatetic
I think they're reading a lot into a very non-committal reply.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-o...r-jet-project/
UK open to Canadian involvement in new fighter jet project
The UK government has signalled its openness to future collaboration with Canada on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the international effort to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035.
In response to a written parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick*, Defence Minister Maria Eagle said that while Canada is not currently a GCAP partner, the door remains open:
“All three Global Combat Air Programme nations have highlighted an openness to working with other nations, while keeping us on track with the programme delivery schedule and helping us deliver future military capabilities.”.......
https://questions-statements.parliam...5-03-25/41364/
* Question for Ministry of Defence - Canada: Military Aircraft
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has considered inviting Canada to contribute to the Global Combat Air Programme.
Asked 25 March 2025
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-o...r-jet-project/
UK open to Canadian involvement in new fighter jet project
The UK government has signalled its openness to future collaboration with Canada on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the international effort to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035.
In response to a written parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick*, Defence Minister Maria Eagle said that while Canada is not currently a GCAP partner, the door remains open:
“All three Global Combat Air Programme nations have highlighted an openness to working with other nations, while keeping us on track with the programme delivery schedule and helping us deliver future military capabilities.”.......
https://questions-statements.parliam...5-03-25/41364/
* Question for Ministry of Defence - Canada: Military Aircraft
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has considered inviting Canada to contribute to the Global Combat Air Programme.
Asked 25 March 2025
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From: aus
The GCAP program has briefed the RAAF while in australia for the avalon airshow
https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-w...162367.article
https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-w...162367.article
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From: The back of beyond
Honestly, at this point you could point to any allied/friendly country, and they would have likely been briefed on GCAP. These stories about Canada and Australia in particular are neither here nor there, to be honest.
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From: Peripatetic
https://theaviationist.com/2025/04/1...chnology-gcap/
UK ‘Reluctant’ to Share Technology Within GCAP Partnership, Italian Defense Minister Claims
Guido Crosetto, Italy’s Minister of Defense, has accused the GCAP partner of neglecting to share unspecified technologies with other program members.Speaking to Reuters, Crosetto discussed the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) partnership and the technological cooperation between members Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
He explained: “You have to break down some barriers of selfishness. Italy has broken them down totally, Japan almost totally. It seems to me that the UK is much more reluctant to do this, and that’s a mistake because selfishness is the worst enemy of nations.”…..
Crosetto did not specify any details regarding specific areas of technology where he believes the UK is withholding information.
A response by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) emphasized GCAP’s collaborative nature and affirmed that “the technologies we are developing and the capabilities we are building together are at the cutting edge of science and engineering”…..
UK ‘Reluctant’ to Share Technology Within GCAP Partnership, Italian Defense Minister Claims
Guido Crosetto, Italy’s Minister of Defense, has accused the GCAP partner of neglecting to share unspecified technologies with other program members.Speaking to Reuters, Crosetto discussed the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) partnership and the technological cooperation between members Italy, Japan, and the United Kingdom.
He explained: “You have to break down some barriers of selfishness. Italy has broken them down totally, Japan almost totally. It seems to me that the UK is much more reluctant to do this, and that’s a mistake because selfishness is the worst enemy of nations.”…..
Crosetto did not specify any details regarding specific areas of technology where he believes the UK is withholding information.
A response by the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) emphasized GCAP’s collaborative nature and affirmed that “the technologies we are developing and the capabilities we are building together are at the cutting edge of science and engineering”…..
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From: Peripatetic
"That's from this podcast:"
RAF officer leading concepts/req for Tempest: "at the top of our list is the payload." Irrelevant how it gets to target, he says, but analysis shows fast jet better than cargo plane or sub. "Payload is what we're all about ... we're talking roughly double an F-35 A's worth..."
Tempest as compute hub: "we're going to take the compute...the server rack forward, because if you want low cost autonomous systems ... where's that server going to be if you're deep in enemy territory? So if you want low cost autonomous sys...they need a server to back them up"
On human pilots: "you can't guarantee always that connection [comes] back, which is why right now...we need a human in that quarterback position. We're prepared for the time when [AGI] does catch up. At the moment [LLMs] they're just a stochastic parrot...advanced auto complete"
Tempest range requirement: "we're talking really extreme range...maybe getting across the Atlantic to America on internal fuel—whereas a typhoon is...three or four plugs to get across with a payload—with the sensors, with the compute, but able to do it in a survivable way"
Why not replace sixth-gen fighter with drones? "by the time you've made your long range, high speed...stealthy or ... expendable drone, you probably end up in a cost point, which isn't ... where you'd expect." If it's low cost, sensors also have to go in a re-usable platform.
Tempest as compute hub: "we're going to take the compute...the server rack forward, because if you want low cost autonomous systems ... where's that server going to be if you're deep in enemy territory? So if you want low cost autonomous sys...they need a server to back them up"
On human pilots: "you can't guarantee always that connection [comes] back, which is why right now...we need a human in that quarterback position. We're prepared for the time when [AGI] does catch up. At the moment [LLMs] they're just a stochastic parrot...advanced auto complete"
Tempest range requirement: "we're talking really extreme range...maybe getting across the Atlantic to America on internal fuel—whereas a typhoon is...three or four plugs to get across with a payload—with the sensors, with the compute, but able to do it in a survivable way"
Why not replace sixth-gen fighter with drones? "by the time you've made your long range, high speed...stealthy or ... expendable drone, you probably end up in a cost point, which isn't ... where you'd expect." If it's low cost, sensors also have to go in a re-usable platform.
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From: London
This sort of thing worries me. The way AI works now is unlikely to be the kind of AI that we will end up with - it's ***t because it needs so much energy to train. THE most critical issue imo for any new aircraft is for it's compute systems, both hardware and software, to be very easy to upgrade.
Tempest as compute hub: "we're going to take the compute...the server rack forward, because if you want low cost autonomous systems ... where's that server going to be if you're deep in enemy territory? So if you want low cost autonomous sys...they need a server to back them up"
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From: Peripatetic
https://www.defensenews.com/global/e...an-f-47-plans/
Next-gen GCAP warplane faces time pressure amid American F-47 plans
ROME — The under-development GCAP fighter and the newly launched American F-47 can be cogs in an integrated allied system of fighters and not competitors, a European official has said.
“The F-47 will be principally a U.S. fighter and not a competitor to the GCAP,” said Italian Air Force Gen. Giandomenico Taricco, who is working on the Anglo-Japanese-Italian GCAP program.
“What we want is for the GCAP to be interoperable with the F-47, to make them two elements in an integrated system,” said Taricco, who is commercial and corporate director at GIGO, the intergovernmental agency running the sixth-generation GCAP program.
The U.S. signaled its arrival in the sixth-generation market in March when President Donald Trump said Boeing would develop the F-47 which could be fielded by the end of the decade. That would give it a head start on the GCAP plane, which is not expected to be delivered until 2035.
Trump reportedly discussed the F-47 with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last month. “(Trump) said the United States has such great fighter jets and asked Ishiba if he would like to take a look at them,” wrote Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, quoting unnamed sources.
Japan joined GCAP to be able to co-own the technology on board the plane, something it would be less able to do with an equivalent U.S. jet. But there are growing reports Japan is unhappy with the time needed to develop the GCAP as neighbor China threatens its airspace with advanced fighters such as the planned sixth generation J-50.
Last month Reuters reported Japan was dubious GCAP would achieve its planned 2035 in-service date and was considering ordering more F-35s as a gap filler. Taricco told Defense News that Italy and the U.K. shared Japan’s sense of urgency about keeping GCAP on schedule and even shortening the schedule.
“The Japanese are extremely motivated to accelerate the program and rightly so, as are we,” he said. “We all share the urgency and everyone is putting pressure on,” he added……..
Next-gen GCAP warplane faces time pressure amid American F-47 plans
ROME — The under-development GCAP fighter and the newly launched American F-47 can be cogs in an integrated allied system of fighters and not competitors, a European official has said.
“The F-47 will be principally a U.S. fighter and not a competitor to the GCAP,” said Italian Air Force Gen. Giandomenico Taricco, who is working on the Anglo-Japanese-Italian GCAP program.
“What we want is for the GCAP to be interoperable with the F-47, to make them two elements in an integrated system,” said Taricco, who is commercial and corporate director at GIGO, the intergovernmental agency running the sixth-generation GCAP program.
The U.S. signaled its arrival in the sixth-generation market in March when President Donald Trump said Boeing would develop the F-47 which could be fielded by the end of the decade. That would give it a head start on the GCAP plane, which is not expected to be delivered until 2035.
Trump reportedly discussed the F-47 with Japanese Prime Minister Shigeru Ishiba last month. “(Trump) said the United States has such great fighter jets and asked Ishiba if he would like to take a look at them,” wrote Japanese newspaper Asahi Shimbun, quoting unnamed sources.
Japan joined GCAP to be able to co-own the technology on board the plane, something it would be less able to do with an equivalent U.S. jet. But there are growing reports Japan is unhappy with the time needed to develop the GCAP as neighbor China threatens its airspace with advanced fighters such as the planned sixth generation J-50.
Last month Reuters reported Japan was dubious GCAP would achieve its planned 2035 in-service date and was considering ordering more F-35s as a gap filler. Taricco told Defense News that Italy and the U.K. shared Japan’s sense of urgency about keeping GCAP on schedule and even shortening the schedule.
“The Japanese are extremely motivated to accelerate the program and rightly so, as are we,” he said. “We all share the urgency and everyone is putting pressure on,” he added……..
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From: Peripatetic
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/edge...uture-fighter/
Edgewing joint venture launched to deliver future fighter
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has reached a major milestone with the launch of Edgewing, a new joint venture formed by BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd (Japan).The company will lead the design and development of the next-generation combat aircraft, expected to enter service in 2035 and remain operational beyond 2070.
Announced on Friday, the creation of Edgewing marks a significant step forward in the trilateral partnership between the UK, Italy and Japan. The joint venture will serve as the design authority for the aircraft and will coordinate with the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) throughout the programme’s life.
Edgewing will have teams based in all three partner nations but will be headquartered in the UK to ensure close alignment with government stakeholders. The firm will oversee design and development, with manufacturing and final assembly subcontracted to BAE Systems, Leonardo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and wider industry partners.
Marco Zoff, previously Managing Director of Leonardo’s Aircraft Division, has been appointed as Edgewing’s first Chief Executive Officer.
“We are incredibly excited to launch Edgewing at the heart of the Global Combat Air Programme,” Zoff said. “By uniting the strengths of our talented people in the UK, Italy and Japan, we are not only delivering the next-generation combat air system—we aim to set a new global standard for partnership, innovation and trust.”
The programme aims to deliver a cutting-edge, interoperable fighter aircraft featuring advanced sensors, AI-enabled systems and secure connectivity. It also seeks to boost national supply chains, technology transfer, and sovereign capability in all three partner nations.
Masami Oka, Chief Executive of the GCAP International Government Organisation, welcomed the launch.
“Edgewing represents an important step forward in what will be a truly international joint development programme,” he said. “I am confident that together we can establish a new model of partnership that will promote international integration, mutual trust and a shared commitment to our future.”
The three founding companies each hold a 33.3% share in Edgewing. The board of directors will rotate its chair among the shareholders, with BAE Systems’ Herman Claesen, Managing Director for Future Combat Air Systems, appointed as the first Chair.
Edgewing is tasked with meeting GCAP’s ambitious goals while strengthening defence-industrial cooperation across Europe and Asia. Officials say the programme is vital to the long-term security and prosperity of all three nations.
Images and further information are available at edgewing.com.
Edgewing joint venture launched to deliver future fighter
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has reached a major milestone with the launch of Edgewing, a new joint venture formed by BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd (Japan).The company will lead the design and development of the next-generation combat aircraft, expected to enter service in 2035 and remain operational beyond 2070.
Announced on Friday, the creation of Edgewing marks a significant step forward in the trilateral partnership between the UK, Italy and Japan. The joint venture will serve as the design authority for the aircraft and will coordinate with the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) throughout the programme’s life.
Edgewing will have teams based in all three partner nations but will be headquartered in the UK to ensure close alignment with government stakeholders. The firm will oversee design and development, with manufacturing and final assembly subcontracted to BAE Systems, Leonardo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and wider industry partners.
Marco Zoff, previously Managing Director of Leonardo’s Aircraft Division, has been appointed as Edgewing’s first Chief Executive Officer.
“We are incredibly excited to launch Edgewing at the heart of the Global Combat Air Programme,” Zoff said. “By uniting the strengths of our talented people in the UK, Italy and Japan, we are not only delivering the next-generation combat air system—we aim to set a new global standard for partnership, innovation and trust.”
The programme aims to deliver a cutting-edge, interoperable fighter aircraft featuring advanced sensors, AI-enabled systems and secure connectivity. It also seeks to boost national supply chains, technology transfer, and sovereign capability in all three partner nations.
Masami Oka, Chief Executive of the GCAP International Government Organisation, welcomed the launch.
“Edgewing represents an important step forward in what will be a truly international joint development programme,” he said. “I am confident that together we can establish a new model of partnership that will promote international integration, mutual trust and a shared commitment to our future.”
The three founding companies each hold a 33.3% share in Edgewing. The board of directors will rotate its chair among the shareholders, with BAE Systems’ Herman Claesen, Managing Director for Future Combat Air Systems, appointed as the first Chair.
Edgewing is tasked with meeting GCAP’s ambitious goals while strengthening defence-industrial cooperation across Europe and Asia. Officials say the programme is vital to the long-term security and prosperity of all three nations.
Images and further information are available at edgewing.com.
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From: cowtown
I think they're reading a lot into a very non-committal reply.
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-o...r-jet-project/
UK open to Canadian involvement in new fighter jet project
The UK government has signalled its openness to future collaboration with Canada on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the international effort to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035.
In response to a written parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick*, Defence Minister Maria Eagle said that while Canada is not currently a GCAP partner, the door remains open:
“All three Global Combat Air Programme nations have highlighted an openness to working with other nations, while keeping us on track with the programme delivery schedule and helping us deliver future military capabilities.”.......
https://questions-statements.parliam...5-03-25/41364/
* Question for Ministry of Defence - Canada: Military Aircraft
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has considered inviting Canada to contribute to the Global Combat Air Programme.
Asked 25 March 2025
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-o...r-jet-project/
UK open to Canadian involvement in new fighter jet project
The UK government has signalled its openness to future collaboration with Canada on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), the international effort to develop a next-generation fighter jet by 2035.
In response to a written parliamentary question from Liberal Democrat MP David Chadwick*, Defence Minister Maria Eagle said that while Canada is not currently a GCAP partner, the door remains open:
“All three Global Combat Air Programme nations have highlighted an openness to working with other nations, while keeping us on track with the programme delivery schedule and helping us deliver future military capabilities.”.......
https://questions-statements.parliam...5-03-25/41364/
* Question for Ministry of Defence - Canada: Military Aircraft
To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, whether he has considered inviting Canada to contribute to the Global Combat Air Programme.
Asked 25 March 2025
When Canada designed and made the next generation fighter . It made the neighbours nervous. The Americans do not want their neighbours to have Air Dominance capability.
The wisest spending for Canada would be to fund Water Bombers at least fifty machines that could be deployed Globally to help other countries defend themselves against the recent record forest fires . While others bomb people and cities Canada could water bomb fires and make friends . The aerial ballet of water bombers on a fire would make Canada a lot of friends .
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From: Peripatetic
New graphic of the Tempest showing it with a UAARSI.
Just as long as it also has a probe - just as the F-101 and F-105 had in the past. Should be plenty of room for one - and will be needed for foreign sales.
Just as long as it also has a probe - just as the F-101 and F-105 had in the past. Should be plenty of room for one - and will be needed for foreign sales.
Last edited by ORAC; 5th July 2025 at 14:36.
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From: Wildest Surrey
https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-c...h-stealth-jet/
UK confirms it remains committed to British stealth jet
The UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), with significant financial investment and ongoing support for the British defence industry, despite earlier concerns that the upcoming defence review could impact the programme.
In response to a written question from James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, Maria Eagle, the Minister of State for Defence, confirmed that the UK is set to invest over £1.3 billion in GCAP and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme during the current financial year.
“The UK expects to invest over £1.31 billion in the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme, in the current financial year,” said Eagle in her statement, highlighting the scale of the commitment.
Eagle also noted that there are over 3,500 personnel directly working on GCAP in the UK, spread across the Ministry of Defence and industry partners such as BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK, and MBDA UK. “These partners are supported by hundreds of organisations, including SMEs and academic institutions, spread across the UK,” she added.....
UK confirms it remains committed to British stealth jet
The UK government has reaffirmed its commitment to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), with significant financial investment and ongoing support for the British defence industry, despite earlier concerns that the upcoming defence review could impact the programme.
In response to a written question from James Cartlidge, Conservative MP for South Suffolk, Maria Eagle, the Minister of State for Defence, confirmed that the UK is set to invest over £1.3 billion in GCAP and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme during the current financial year.
“The UK expects to invest over £1.31 billion in the Future Combat Air System/Global Combat Air Programme and the associated Team Tempest R&D programme, in the current financial year,” said Eagle in her statement, highlighting the scale of the commitment.
Eagle also noted that there are over 3,500 personnel directly working on GCAP in the UK, spread across the Ministry of Defence and industry partners such as BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce, Leonardo UK, and MBDA UK. “These partners are supported by hundreds of organisations, including SMEs and academic institutions, spread across the UK,” she added.....
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From: Peripatetic
If that’s a serious question, I would presume production will be at Wharton and Samlesbury replacing Hawk and alongside Typhoon production
