The three nations of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) – the UK, Italy and Japan – have unveiled a new concept model of their next-generation fighter aircraft at the Farnborough International Airshow.

GCAP’s three government partners and their key industrial partners BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan) are exhibiting together for the first time at the show, showcasing the significant steps they are taking to advance the delivery of a next-generation fighter aircraft.
The new concept model on display in Hall 5 features a much more developed design with a larger wingspan than previous concepts, to improve the aerodynamics of the future fighter aircraft.

Engineers from BAE Systems, Leonardo and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries are working together under a collaboration agreement to design and develop the future fighter aircraft, using a range of innovative digital tools and techniques, including computer-aided modelling and virtual reality, to advance the aircraft design during the concept phase.

Guglielmo Maviglia, Chief of the Global Combat Air Programme Officer, Leonardosaid:
“The pace of the programme is extraordinary, building on a solid foundation and industrial heritage in each country and government-led partnership. Since the treaty was signed in December 2023, the programme has seen strong commitment from each partner. Each brings different, yet complementary, qualities and requirements. We are now working closely together to share knowledge, address common challenges and achieve common goals. The programme is hugely important for Italy, for Leonardo, including our UK-based company, and for the wider Italian industry. GCAP represents the future of combat air in a System of Systems perspective for our future generations.”

Herman Claesen, Director, Future combat air systems, BAE systemssaid:
“In the 18 months since the launch of the Global Combat Air Programme, we have worked closely with our industry partners in Italy and Japan under the Cooperation Agreement, and also with the three governments, to understand and align the requirements for a next-generation fighter aircraft..

“The new model, unveiled at the Farnborough International Airshow, shows remarkable progress in the design and concept of this future fighter jet. We continue to test and develop the design as we move closer to the next phase of the programme..”

Hitoshi Shiraishi, Senior employee, GCAP, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BVsaid:
“MHI considers every project as a valuable opportunity to deepen our knowledge. Especially since GCAP is a joint development program between three countries, Japan, the UK and Italy, we expect to achieve better results and deeper knowledge than ever before by combining the different cultures, experiences and knowledge of the three industries involved.

“I also hope that this GCAP program, with the broad participation of Japanese defense enterprises, will stimulate innovation in the country’s industrial sector, such as digital transformation, as well as the development of human resources in science and technology..”

The fighter jet, scheduled to enter service in 2035, will be among the most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in the world. It will feature an intelligent weapons system, a software-driven interactive cockpit, integrated sensors and a powerful next-generation radar that can provide 10,000 times more data than current systems, giving it the edge in winning the fight.

GCAP is a strategically important partnership that brings together the governments of the UK, Italy and Japan and their respective industries to work together towards shared military and industrial objectives in the delivery of next generation combat aviation capability.

The programme is of great importance to the security, political and economic prosperity of each country. Through effective knowledge and technology transfer it will contribute to the development and delivery of important sovereign combat air capabilities in each country, for future generations.

GCAP will employ tens of thousands of skilled people across the UK, Italy and Japan, further developing the industry’s skills and technologies for the future.

Notes to Editors

• The next generation of fighter aircraft that GCAP is developing will be known in the UK as Tempest.
• The industry leaders (Lead Systems Integrators) at GCAP are BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries (Japan).
• The Lead Sub-System Integrators in the program are: Avio Aero (Italy), ELT Group (Italy), IHI (Japan), Leonardo (Italy and UK), MBDA (Italy and UK), Mitsubishi Electric (Japan) and Rolls-Royce (UK).

For further information please contact:

Leonardo
[email protected]
Phone: +39 0632473313

BAE systems
Charlotte Eccles
Phone: +44 (0) 3300 465481
M: +44 (0) 7717 732847
E: [email protected]