The UK’s program to create a six-generation fighter demonstrator, with BAE systems at the helm, is making headway, and the initial flight is projected to take place before the middle of 2027.
BAE systems are making headway on the UK’s sixth-generation fighter demonstrator program, with the first flight slated for some time before the middle of 2027.
The Supersonic demonstrator, which was revealed at the Farnborough air show, last July, represents the UK’s initial project of this nature since the experimental Aircraft programmed (EAP) that preceded the Eurofighter in the early 1980s.
It’s propose to reduce the technological uncertainties for the Global Combat Air programme (GCAP), a joint undertaking by Italy, Japan, and the UK with the goal of fielding a deployable sixth-generation fighter and related technologies by 2035.
Paul Wilde, who heads BAE’s tempest initiative, reports that substantial headway has been made since the programmed was first disclosed. He pointed out that at the time of the announcement, the assembly or manufacturing of over half of the aircraft’s weight, specifically the fuselage and wings, was already underway.
At the Royal Aeronautical Society’s FCAS25 summit in London on May 22nd, Wilde commented that the program’s manufacturing efforts have passed their peak. He did not offer further explanation or show any new pictures.
In Wilde’s words, “this presents an occasion to build several new capabilities, relocate some of the UK’s skilled personnel, and place a strong emphasis on reducing risks to support the primary GCAP initiative.”
This includes innovations in areas like supply chain management and assembly techniques, as well as a more extensive application of additive layer manufacturing, including for major structural elements.
Speaking at the same event, the engineering authority from the Ministry of Defense (MoD) in charge of the program noted that “this provides advantages to start early, allowing for the detection and correction of issues before they appear in the core CGAP platform.”
Wilde indicates that 14 test pilots have collectively accumulated in excess of 300 hours of simulated flight on the demonstrator at BAE’s Warton facility in Lancashire. He notes that the demonstrator will be powered by twin Eurojet RJ200 engines, the same type used in the Eurofighter Typhoon, and underscores that this simulator time is “a really significant amount.”
One of the pilots testing the aircraft early on described it as having the characteristics and handling of a “combat air-type aircraft”, they pointed out the particularly interesting fact that despite sixth-generation platforms being considerably larger than current aircraft, moving away from the concept of small, agile fighters, the intelligent design of control systems results in a surprisingly familiar flying experience.
Pointing out that the future fighter will function as an element within a broader ecosystem of systems- including unmanned autonomous collaborative platforms and a supporting data network- the source emphasizes that “from a needs perspective, it’s a way to position military capabilities where they are necessary.”
When this initiative is compared with the Future Combat Air system being by France, Germany, and Spain, and US Air Force’s development Boeing F-47, they point out, “Our findings are converging.”
According to Wilde, the precise details of the demonstrator’s flight-testing plan are still under development. He notes that “we know some of the testing that we are going to do,” illustatring this with the example of verifying the expected aerodynamic characteristics around the aircraft’s engine intakes and the S-ducts, a significant elements for its low observable features.
He adds, “We are getting into more conversation about what more do we want to go and do. But the bigger programmed hasn’t yet worked out what it needs us to go and fix and investigate.”
Although other UK program official’s attended the conference, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) refrained from making public statements regarding the GCAP initiative. This silence is attributed to the anticipated imminent release of its Strategic Defense Review, a report that will cover the GCAP program along with other combat air activities, specially the operational Lockheed Martin F-35 and Typhoon aircraft.
In December of last year, the GIGO structure received approval, coinciding with the agreement on terms for an industrial joint venture involving national champions BAE systems, Leonardo, and Mitsubishi heavy industries. Both of these entities have their base of operations in reading, Bershire.
Taricco states that their team is expanding rapidly, with new personnel arriving from the three participating nations almost daily. He explains their goal is to quickly become significant and highly effective. He adds that “everyone is putting in their best commitment,” emphasizing that their priorities are collaboration and empowerment throughout the GCAP Integrated Project Office (GIGO), the involved nations, and industry partners. He concludes by saying, “We put a lot of emphasis on open communication and mutual trust, and every day we are more convinced.”
