The UK government has reiterated its commitment to the Tempest programme, a next-generation combat aircraft initiative jointly developed with Japan and Italy under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
Responding to a question raised in Parliament by Neil Shastri-Hurst, MP for Solihull West and Shirley, about the future of Tempest, Defence Minister Maria Eagle highlighted the importance of the programme for the UK’s strategic defence objectives.
Shastri-Hurst had asked the Ministry of Defence, “What is his policy on the future of the Tempest programme?” Eagle explained that the project, referred to as Tempest in the UK, is crucial to maintaining the country’s combat air capabilities in collaboration with international partners.
“Tempest is the name used in the UK for the next generation combat aircraft being jointly developed with Japan and Italy under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP),” Eagle noted, adding that the programme’s significance had been underscored by the Prime Minister, who sees it as a priority for defence.
Eagle pointed out that the Defence Secretary had met with his Japanese and Italian counterparts shortly after taking office, reflecting the programme’s strategic importance.
Eagle said that “Positive progress on GCAP continues, with over 3,500 people employed on future combat air.” She also revealed a recent milestone in the project’s advancement: “In October, the UK completed its ratification processes for the GCAP Convention, the International Treaty that sets up the GCAP International Government Organisation.”
What is Tempest?
The Tempest/Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a collaborative project between the United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy, aimed at developing a sixth-generation stealth fighter. This aircraft is intended to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon for the Royal Air Force and Italian Air Force, as well as the Mitsubishi F-2 for Japan’s Air Self-Defense Force.
The joint programme began in December 2022, merging separate initiatives from the UK, Italy, and Japan into a single development effort for the new fighter jet.
The UK has already made significant strides in the development of GCAP, with initial test flights conducted on simulators and progress reported on key technologies like stealth features and weapon bay integration. Rolls-Royce is heavily involved in the engine development, working alongside Italian and Japanese companies to ensure compatibility and innovation in the propulsion systems.
The demonstrator aircraft, featuring advanced avionic systems, is expected to showcase cutting-edge capabilities by 2027.
While the focus of GCAP is on the fighter jet itself, future developments could include unmanned systems and other assets to support the aircraft in a “system of systems” approach. However, unlike similar programmes in Europe, GCAP remains focused primarily on the development of the fighter, leaving broader air combat capabilities as potential future projects.
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Well let’s hope it will stay that way, what a brilliant aircraft.
They all are until they fly ..
.. but I agree, GCAP shows much promise.
And with the US one again displaying it’s fair-weather-friendliness, strategic independence is once again the top priority. They can no longer be relied upon to do the right thing.
We’re doing it.
We’re still doing it.
We’re still still doing it.
…
Really trust us it’s definitely going to happen look at our track record for delivering defence projects.
We’ve scrapped it.
That’s how most things go. Doesn’t even have to be defence at this point.
I think this one will make it to at least prototype by which time billions will have been spent. Joint projects with the Americans seems unlikely just now and Europe seems a potential sales market I think we might just continue this project.
I think it’s very unlikely that this will be scrapped, it’s one of our top priority projects, on the same level as CASD. We’re also tied in with Japan and Italy now, so getting out would be more difficult. From the miniscule information that has been made public, it seems to be going better than FCAS and the USAFs program, so it’s hard for the spreadsheet warriors to make an argument that we’d be better off buying someone else’s design.
Will reaction engines getting shut down have an affect on this?
Possibly, but my guess is Rolls Royce and BAE Systems will grab the bits they need for GCAP if they haven’t already done so.
It’s a shame Reaction Engines folded but whilst they demonstrated some very clever tech they seemed to be spending much more than they were making in sales – not a sustainable business model basically.
Cheers CR
If Reaction Engines were part of GCAP they would have had funds coming from the Project which would have sustained them. The fact they have gone bankrupt indicates none of their tech is being used.
As form drag is the enemy of speed & range. And as so few pilots will be needed. Might it be time to set a max height of 5ft 7in for Tempest pilots? Plenty of other jobs for lankier pilots, absorbing lower Gs
I believe GCAP remit is to design an optionally manned airframe so longer term anthropometry may not be a problem. And yes I did have to google anthropometry 🙂
GCAP is the program that will deliver an aircraft, Tempest just like Typhoon or Lighting is the name of the fighter aircraft. Politicians need make sure they ask about GCAP progress and it was good to see Eagle make the distinction.
Fingers crossed 😏