Future Combat Air System
 | You can helpexpand this article with text translated from the corresponding articles inFrench,PolishandGerman.(December 2021)Click [show] for important translation instructions.
|
| Future Combat Air System | |
|---|---|
 Mock-up of the NGF and a remote carrier at the 2019Paris Air Show | |
| General information | |
| Type | Combatsystem of systems |
| Manufacturer |
|
| Primary user | French Air and Space Force Spanish Air and Space Force German Air Force |
| New Generation Fighter | |
|---|---|
 Mock-up of the NGF at the 2019Paris Air Show | |
| General information | |
| Type | Sixth-generation jet fighter |
| National origin | France,Germany,Spain |
| Status | Project |
TheFuture Combat Air System(FCAS), (French:Système de combat aérien du futur; SCAF;German:Zukünftiges Luftkampfsystem;Spanish:Futuro Sistema Aéreo de Combate; FSAC) is a European combatsystem of systemsunder development byDassault Aviation,AirbusandIndra Sistemas.The FCAS will consist of a Next-Generation Weapon System (NGWS) as well as other air assets in the future operational battlespace.[1][2]The NGWS's components will beremote carrier vehicles(swarming drones) as well as a New Generation Fighter (NGF) - asixth-generation jet fighter[3]that by around 2040 will replace current France'sRafales,Germany's and Spain'sTyphoonss.[2][4]
A test flight of a demonstrator is expected around 2027 and entry into service around 2040.[5]
Contractors
[edit]Dassaultwill serve as prime contractor for the NGF, whileAirbuswill lead the development of accompanying remote carrier vehicles and the broader system's supporting combat cloud.[6]It will also be carrier-capable and will fly from theFrench Navy'sfuture aircraft carrier.[7][8][9]Safran Aircraft Engineswill be the prime contractor for the next-generation fighter aircraft engine, taking the lead in engine design and integration, whileMTU Aero Engines,as the main partner for the first phase of research and technology, will take the lead in engine services.[10]
Each country has designated a national industrial coordinator,AirbusforGermany,IndraforSpainandDassaultforFrance.[11]
History
[edit]The FCAS concept was developed in the frame of the European Technology Acquisition Programme (ETAP) that was started in 2001 as a co-operation between Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Sweden and Spain. The new FCAS concept was aSystem of Systems(SoS) approach combining manned and unmanned systems, combat aircraft andUCAV,to be more efficient in the envisaged future scenarios than operating with manned systems alone.
In 2017 Germany and Spain askedAirbusto start working on a proposal for a new fighter under the name Future Combat Air System (FCAS).[12][13]
At the 2018ILA Berlin Air Show,Dassault AviationandAirbusannounced an agreement to cooperate on the development of the FCAS.
In December 2018, the German Defence Ministry welcomedSpain's expression of interest in the programme.[14]
In June 2019 Spain joined the programme.[15]
In June 2023, Belgium became an observer to the FCAS programme.[16]The country is set to join the programme by June 2025.[17]
-
Interactive 3D model of the FCAS mockup shown at the 2019 Paris Air Show -
Livery similar to the illustrations published by Dassault in early 2021 -
Artist's illustration of the aircraft in flight, after the project as of 2022
In December 2019SafranandMTU Aero Enginesagreed on the foundation of a 50/50 joint venture that will be incorporated by the end of 2021 to manage the development, production, and the after-sales support activities of the new engine to power the NGF.[18]
On 12 February 2020, the first phase (1A) of the research and development program was approved by the German parliament budget committee. It set up the industrial distribution of the first five subprograms.[19]
Development
[edit]Initial demonstrator
[edit]Phase 1A - Initial framework contract
[edit]Dassault, Airbus, together with their partners MTU Aero Engines, Safran, MBDA and Thales, were awarded the initial framework contract which launches the demonstrator phase. Beginning February 2020 it is expected to cover a period of 18 months of research and development. While it assigned different roles to the above-mentioned companies, Spain was left out:[20]
- New Generation Fighter (NGF), withDassault Aviationas prime contractor andAirbusas main partner
- Unmanned systems Remote Carrier (RC) withAirbusas prime contractor andMBDAas main partner
- Combat Cloud (CC) withAirbusas prime contractor andThalesas main partner
- Engine withSafranandMTU Aero Enginesas main partner
Phase 1B
[edit]Additional suppliers will be involved.
See also
[edit]- F/A-XX program– (United States)
- Global Combat Air Programme– (Italy, Japan, United Kingdom)
- Mikoyan PAK DP– (Russia)
- Next Generation Air Dominance– (United States)
References
[edit]- ^Jennings, Gareth (15 November 2018)."Air superiority and nuclear deterrence dictate manned future fighter for France".Janes.Archived fromthe originalon 15 November 2018.
- ^abPike, John."France + Germany - Next Generation Weapon System".Global security.Archivedfrom the original on 21 November 2022.
- ^Roblin, Sebastien (5 February 2019)."Forget the F-22 or Su-57: Europe Wants a Deadly 6th Generation Stealth Fighter".The National Interest.Archivedfrom the original on 28 January 2023.Retrieved16 February2019.
- ^Trevithick, Joseph (4 December 2018)."Eurofighter Consortium 2.0 Takes Shape As Spain Set To Join Franco-German Stealth Jet Program".The Drive.Archivedfrom the original on 3 June 2023.Retrieved16 February2019.
- ^Machi, Vivienne (17 May 2021)."New trinational deal paves way for FCAS demonstrator program".Defense News.Archivedfrom the original on 24 May 2021.Retrieved3 September2021.
- ^Hoyle, Craig (17 June 2019)."Dassault and Airbus unveil New Generation Fighter".FlightGlobal.Archived fromthe originalon 23 September 2022.Retrieved25 June2019.
- ^"Euronaval 2018: France Officially Launches Aircraft Carrier Renewal Program".Navy recognition.
- ^Lake, Jon (12 November 2018)."Good and Bad News for Franco-German Fighter".Aviation International.Archivedfrom the original on 13 November 2018.
- ^Dubois, Thierry (23 October 2018)."Dassault Unveils 'New-Gen' Fighter mockup".Aviation Week.Archivedfrom the original on 1 February 2021.Retrieved21 November2018.
- ^Mackenzie, Christina (5 December 2019)."Safran and MTU agree on way ahead for next-gen fighter aircraft engine".Defense News.Archivedfrom the original on 8 January 2024.
- ^Sprenger, Sebastian (26 November 2019)."Spain's Indra claims lead in EU electronic-warfare push for future aircraft".Defense News.Archived fromthe originalon 26 November 2019.Retrieved17 March2021.
- ^"Is The Proposed Airbus Fighter Jet A Non-starter?".Defense Mirror.7 July 2017.Archivedfrom the original on 8 January 2024.
- ^Rettman, Andrew (12 June 2017)."EU states eye production of new fighter jet".EUobserver.Archivedfrom the original on 4 October 2023.Retrieved17 March2021.
- ^Shalal, Andrea; Binnie, Isla (5 December 2018)."Germany, France to add Spain to fighter program: sources".Reuters.Archivedfrom the original on 25 October 2023.Retrieved7 December2018.
- ^Calvo, Luis (17 June 2019)."La ministra de Defensa española ha firmado en el Salón de Le Bourget la incorporación al programa FCAS por parte española"(in European Spanish). fly-news.es.Archivedfrom the original on 5 February 2023.Retrieved17 June2019.
- ^"Belgium enters EU programme for 'next generation' fighter jets: sources".The Brussels Times with Belga. 20 June 2023.Archivedfrom the original on 23 June 2023.Retrieved21 June2023.
- ^Martin, Tim (27 November 2023)."Belgium to join Europe's FCAS next-gen fighter program in June 2025".Breaking Defense.Archivedfrom the original on 17 December 2023.Retrieved27 November2023.
- ^Jennings, Gareth (3 December 2019)."Safran, MTU agree framework for future fighter engine".Janes.Archivedfrom the original on 8 January 2024.Retrieved28 April2020.
- ^Charpentreau, Clement (13 February 2020)."European fighter jet demonstrator receives German greenlight".AeroTime.aero.Archivedfrom the original on 10 June 2023.Retrieved14 February2020.
- ^"Spanish Indra justifies role in FCAS Project after Airbus' Opposition".Defense Mirror.20 February 2020.Archivedfrom the original on 8 January 2024.Retrieved17 March2021.