UK unveils new next generation fighter jet, the 'Tempest'
 

Interesting...

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-u...st/?no_cache=1

-RP

Meet the Tempest
 

Apparently designed in conjunction with Leonardo...didn't see this one coming.

...and I suspect, we'll never see it flying either. Not so much a paper plane as a cardboard plane?

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44848294

First flight "hoped to be" 2035? No rush, then.

Ah, some reports say "Operational" by 2035; the "first flight hoped by 2035" is from the Beeb.

UK Unveils new Tempest fighter design
 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/business-44848294

A model of the UK's planned new fighter jet, the Tempest, has been unveiled at the Farnborough Air Show.

The UK's Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson, said the jet could be used with either pilots or as a drone. The aircraft, which will eventually replace the existing Typhoon fighter jet, will be developed and built by BAE Systems, engine maker Rolls-Royce and Italy's Leonardo.Mr Williamson said the UK would be investing £2bn in the new project.

The hope is to see it flying by 2035.Mr Williamson said the programme was aimed at ensuring the UK's continued leadership in fighter technology and control of air space in future combat: "We have been a world leader in the combat air sector for a century, with an enviable array of skills and technology, and this strategy makes clear that we are determined to make sure it stays that way."He added that the UK, currently excluded from the latest fighter programme underway between France and Germany, was not against forming a partnership with other nations: "It shows our allies that we are open to working together to protect the skies in an increasingly threatening future - and this concept model is just a glimpse into what the future could look like."'Direction of travel'

Aeropace giant Airbus embraced the move: "Airbus welcomes the UK's commitment of funding for the future fighter project. We look forward to continuing collaborative discussions with all relevant European players."Earlier, the chief executive of BAE Systems, Charles Woodburn, told the BBC's Today programme that the new jet would be some time in coming."We already have the Typhoon platform which forms the absolute bedrock of European air defence and that'll be in service for decades to come," he said.He added that the inner workings of the new craft would start life within the Typhoon."The important thing about the new concept is that it will illustrate a direction of travel and many of those technologies that will be embodied in that will first see their service through the Typhoon."For example, upgrades on the avionics, upgrades in the weapons systems, upgrades in the radar will be deployed through the Typhoon and will be deployed there and then."

Why not, comms and data links can be spoofed or jammed.

The intention is for it to be in both manned and unmanned versions.

How to make your Crews feel wanted, 101.

This is mocked-up from a Tonka wreck? Certainly looks like they nicked the undercart. Hmmm, one pie-in-the-sky after another. Presume this will be carrier capable? ;)

OAP

How else will you get SO's with the "right" experience???

Boo, Hiss...
 

I know I’m not surprised but threads like this take on a familiar pattern.

It’ll never be as good as a TSR2/Phantom/Hunter. It’s ugly. We won’t get enough. It’ll be rubbish. I wouldn’t have done it like that. Etc, etc ad infinitum.

Clearly I am wired differently to lots of people on this forum. When I read the article I think ‘brilliant, a new fighter’. It shows forethought and ambition with a fair amount of commitment to it so far.

As for the piloted/unpiloted mix I think it makes perfect sense. The mothership and drone concept is not new. It should actually excite us not scare us.

Anyway, I expect I’ll be a lonely voice amongst the masses but why not try to see the positives. If nothing else it shows that my kids may get to be fighter pilots after all.

BV

Well I hope that this gets the go-ahead and won't be canned like so many previous generation UK designs.

Perhaps it might even fly on the 70th anniversary of Duncan Sandys sticking his knife into British fighter design?

1. Government allows UK design leadership to atrophy over many years, turns us into subcontractor to the world, lacks the balls to craft a positive UK-led way forward that shows faith in the UK aviation industry and fails to back the industry in the way that other counties like France support theirs = moan.

2. Government shows signs of responding to that, finally and unexpectedly growing a pair and backing UK industry with a proposal involving UK design leadership of a UK-driven Typhoon replacement, on a timeframe that reflects Typhoon OoS = still moan.

Sic transit PPRuNe.

I'm pleased and cautiously encouraged to see this development. I also fully expect that this early concept will evolve somewhat over time, and acknowledge that a lot of difficult water will pass under the bridge before it gets anywhere near IOC.

Looks an awful lot like the F22

Glad to see that OAP is now on board with the idea of carriers and is supportive of at least starting the project with an eye to deck operations - probably not STOVL - and not repeating the mistakes of the past by designing a purely land-based cab........

Are we copying the Chinese now? :E
https://cimg0.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...649f7f26cd.jpg

Very definitely not a plea for a repeat of F111 and F35. But then again they were very different things. A low-level strike bomber asked to be a long-range carrier based interceptor and a strikefighter asked to do several things, including be cheap(!), be STOVL, be an F16-alike, be an A6(ish) alike, all in one airframe. A big ask.

All I'm suggesting here is that the early stages of what appears to be an air-dominance type aircraft design and requirements exercise does not dismiss immediately the need to fly off a ship - preferably using catapults and arrester gear. If it becomes a serious cost/performance limiter, then fair enough, drop it, but we should try to avoid repeating a situation where the question is never even asked, because either "SHAR flies off ships" or "CVS is too small".

You never know - there might actually be an export market for it.........as well as potential closer to home.

Excellent news.

Post Brexit, blighty can partner with the Iranians on the project.

https://cimg9.ibsrv.net/gimg/www.gmf...cfe024e441.jpg

:}

JAS

Jeez Guys, it's a wood and filler mock-up of...nothing. Anyone able to explain the costings that equate to the quoted " £2B" UK Gov support? Hot air! So this is what, 6th Gen? UK cannot afford to do this on its own. I suggest this is just political fudge to keep BAe in the game for a while, a £200M per year life-support R&D drip feed, not a real design or reflection of what might be needed in 20 years time. :hmm:

OAP

Yeah but lots of names have been used - some others are no longer politically acceptable

we could call it the "Aspiration" I guess.............

Front end also looks like it can be clipped on and off and swapped with various other " pods" for the want of a better description

You can tell how desperate BAe and the RAF are here, they have named it before designing it! "Team Tempest" etc...blah! :ooh:

OAP

And use more up to date software and OP systems than what was installed on the new carrier 😳

I assume you're referring to the drivel that was in the media about the QE class carriers running XP just because a screen aboard the ship was seen with the XP screensaver on it? Nothing could be further from the truth, but then, facts should never get in the way of an ill informed comment should they...

-RP

Will this be our first indigenous combat jet since Sea Harrier?

Or is it just a cardboard copy of Hollywood's Firefox machine?

Tempest
 

Do hope it gets on better than the TSR 2

Manned and unmanned sounds a good mix - manned aircraft for Air Defence and ground support (The old mk 1 eyeball) and autonomous/RPV for interdiction and long range attack options.

And at least they have avoided Dave mk 2 ((Clive?) by naming it first

If the F-35 was the Dave can I suggest this is called Bruce. Look at that chin and the smug look, Bruce Forsyth reincarnate.

Enemies of the people and saboteurs, the lot of them!! Ho hum.

In service 2035... and that's TODAY's Target - 17 years of cash flow for BAe....

If the government is REALLY prepared to 'go it alone' and provide all the necessary resources to deliver such a programme then I applaud such an initiative.
The reality is likely to be quite different primary due to the massive costs.
It is vital that the UK aerospace industry is positioned to acquire the required technologies in order to take advantage or collaborate with whoever is both ambitious and capable of producing a new fighter in the required timescale.

Nope, but when it comes to IT and budgets, it is usually the number 1 thing to hit the chopping block first or get relegated to the One Day to upgrade list …

Is there going to be a two seat version that can be flown without a pilot or a WSOP? ;)