FCAS? SCAF? Tempest? Explaining Europe’s sixth-generation fighter efforts

FCAS? SCAF? Tempest? Explaining Europe’s sixth-generation fighter efforts
FCAS? SCAF? Tempest? Explaining Europe’s sixth-generation fighter efforts

In which the Breaking Defense team attempts to explain the differences between the UK-led FCAS, the Franco-German-Spanish FCAS, the UK-Italian-Japanese GCAP and all the other sixth-generation fighter development efforts in Europe.

Despite Saudi statement, KSA not joining UK-led FCAS program – at least not yet

Despite Saudi statement, KSA not joining UK-led FCAS program – at least not yet
Despite Saudi statement, KSA not joining UK-led FCAS program – at least not yet

Kingdom of Saudi Arabia minister of defense Khalid bin Salman said he signed a letter of intent with his UK counterpart regarding the KSA’s participation in the Future Air Capabilities Program (FCAS).

European defense stories reimagined as World Cup soccer players: 5 stories from 2022

European defense stories reimagined as World Cup soccer players: 5 stories from 2022
European defense stories reimagined as World Cup soccer players: 5 stories from 2022

Time to explore some of the most striking European defense stories to have emerged from 2022, and naturally comparing them to players that stood out on soccer’s grandest stage.

UK, Japan and Italy launch Global Combat Air Programme to deliver next generation fighter

UK, Japan and Italy launch Global Combat Air Programme to deliver next generation fighter
UK, Japan and Italy launch Global Combat Air Programme to deliver next generation fighter

“Considering Japan’s enormous economy and unambiguous [fighter] requirement because of its proximity to China and all that that implies, the [GCAP] agreement is one of the only practical ways – given the status of UK, German and French relations – to get toward more viable levels of funding,” said Justin Bronk of the Royal United Services Institute.

Italy expects Tempest exports by 2040; Japan working on jet’s Jaguar system

Italy expects Tempest exports by 2040; Japan working on jet’s Jaguar system
Italy expects Tempest exports by 2040; Japan working on jet’s Jaguar system

The Jaguar effort will feature the development of universal frequency sensor technology for the FCAS effort.

Tempest’s fate: UK says next-gen fighter demonstrator to take off within 5 years

Tempest’s fate: UK says next-gen fighter demonstrator to take off within 5 years
Tempest’s fate: UK says next-gen fighter demonstrator to take off within 5 years

The MoD’s Richard Burton was unable to provide any specific details regarding the maiden flight, but said the plane would be a low-observable aircraft. Other details remain “highly sensitive.”

The UK killed its Project Mosquito drone program, but a follow-on could come soon

The UK killed its Project Mosquito drone program, but a follow-on could come soon
The UK killed its Project Mosquito drone program, but a follow-on could come soon

Mosquito had been scheduled to fly by the end of 2023, supported by a consortium of US firms Northrop Grumman and Spirit AeroSystems, along with UK company Callen-Lenz.

Tempest Fighter To Wield Flying ‘Excalibur’ Lab For Digital Dominance

Tempest Fighter To Wield Flying ‘Excalibur’ Lab For Digital Dominance
Tempest Fighter To Wield Flying ‘Excalibur’ Lab For Digital Dominance

“Our focus is to get the sensors and information architecture correct. We might have to change other capabilities out for that if necessary,” said Jez Holmes, Head of the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office.

Will UK’s ‘Tempest’ Fighter End In A Teapot?

Will UK’s ‘Tempest’ Fighter End In A Teapot?
Will UK’s ‘Tempest’ Fighter End In A Teapot?

There’s been a great deal of dismissive skepticism among the cognoscenti gathered here.

Few Fighters Fly At Farnborough; F-35B Zips By

Few Fighters Fly At Farnborough; F-35B Zips By
Few Fighters Fly At Farnborough; F-35B Zips By

FARNBOROUGH AIR SHOW: Are the biggest air shows becoming no-fly zones for military aircraft? Dominated today by the seemingly unending competition between Airbus and Boeing to see who announces the most commercial aircraft orders, this year’s show offers a very thin gruel of military aircraft flights or military aircraft on display. A UK F-35B flew…