The three partner nations of the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) – the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan – presented a new conceptual model of the next-generation fighter at the Farnborough International Air Show. Together for the first time at the Farnborough show, the three government partners of the GCAP and the strategic industrial partners BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan), will illustrate the significant steps of the program which will lead to the new generation.
The newly developed model on display at the GCAP stand (Hall 5), features an evolved design with a larger wingspan than previous concepts to improve the aerodynamics of the aircraft.
Engineers from BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are working together under a collaborative agreement on the design and development of the next-generation fighter using a range of innovative digital tools and technologies, including computer modeling and reality virtual that will allow the design of the aircraft to be planned right from the conception phase.
Guglielmo Maviglia, Leonardo's Chief Global Combat Air Program Officer, said:
“The pace of the program is extraordinary and is centered on a solid foundation, an industrial heritage shared with each country, under the leadership of their respective governments. Since the signing of the treaty in December 2023, the program has seen strong commitment from all. Each brings different but complementary qualities and needs. Right now we are working to exchange mutual knowledge and achieve common goals. The program is extremely important for Italy, for Leonardo, including its UK headquarters, and for Italian industry in general. The GCAP represents the future of the fighter aircraft from a System of Systems perspective, for the benefit of generations to come.”
Herman Claesen, CEO of Future Combat Air Systems, BAE Systems, said:
“In the 18 months since the launch of the Global Combat Air Programme, we have worked closely with our industry partners in Japan and Italy, and with the three governments, to understand and align the requirements for a next-generation fighter. The new model, presented at the Farnborough International Air Show, shows significant progress in the design and conception of this future fighter. We will continue to test and evolve the design as we move into the next phase of the program.”
Hitoshi Shiraishi, Senior Fellow, GCAP, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries said:
“MHI considers the project a valuable opportunity to deepen knowledge, since GCAP is a joint development program between Japan, the United Kingdom and Italy, we expect to achieve better results and deeper knowledge by combining the different cultures, experiences and knowledge of the three industries involved. I also hope that this program, with the broad participation of Japanese defense 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 fighter aircraft, which will enter service in 2035, will be one of the most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected aircraft in service in the world, featuring an intelligent weapons system, a software-based interactive cockpit, integrated sensors and a new generation radar, capable of providing 10.000 times more data than current systems. GCAP is a strategically important partnership, bringing together the governments of Italy, the United Kingdom and Japan and their respective industries to collaborate on shared military and industrial objectives in delivering a next-generation combat air capability. The program is extremely significant to the security, economic prosperity of every nation and, through effective transfer of knowledge and technology, will help evolve and provide air sovereignty to every nation, for generations to come. GCAP will employ tens of thousands of skilled people in the UK, Japan and Italy, developing industrial skills and technologies for the future.