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PoliticsUK boosts GCAP investment with £708 million combat air contract
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The UK government has announced a £708 million (€830.2 million) investment to accelerate the development of next-generation combat air technologies and strengthen Britain’s contribution to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The Ministry of Defence awarded the contract extension to BAE Systems to continue work on the UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS), which includes the sixth-generation Tempest combat aircraft and wider capabilities such as uncrewed air systems, advanced networks and next-generation weapons technologies. The investment, announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, will support critical sovereign combat air technologies and forms part of a wider £8.6 billion commitment over four years. BAE Systems will lead development of AI, digital engineering, and advanced manufacturing techniques alongside Team Tempest partners Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting emphasized the investment strengthens defence and creates UK jobs. The announcement follows Canada joining GCAP as the first Observer Nation.
Source report
The UK government has announced a £708 million (€830.2 million) investment to accelerate the development of next-generation combat air technologies and strengthen Britain’s contribution to the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).
Contract Extension for BAE Systems
The Ministry of Defence has awarded the contract extension to BAE Systems to continue work on the UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS). This programme includes:
- The sixth-generation Tempest combat aircraft
- Wider capabilities such as uncrewed air systems
- Advanced networks
- Next-generation weapons technologies
Investment Details
Announced at the Farnborough International Airshow, the investment will support the development of critical sovereign combat air technologies underpinning the UK’s future air combat capability. It forms part of the government’s wider commitment to invest £8.6 billion (€10.1 billion) in GCAP over the next four years.
Technology Development
Under the contract, BAE Systems will lead the development and integration of technologies including:
- Artificial intelligence
- Digital engineering
- Advanced software
- Manufacturing techniques such as augmented reality, robotics, and additive manufacturing
The programme is being delivered alongside Team Tempest partners:
- Leonardo UK
- MBDA UK
- Rolls-Royce
Official Statements
Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said:
"This investment in advanced combat air technology for the UK Armed Forces will strengthen our defence and deterrence and shows our clear commitment to backing British workers with our defence investment, creating jobs and supporting communities across the UK."
Declan Holland, Future Combat Air Systems Managing Director at BAE Systems’ Air sector, said the:
"contract builds on the strong progress already achieved across the UK’s defence ecosystem, bringing together industry and academic partners to accelerate next-generation technologies."
Background and Progress
The funding extension builds on work undertaken since 2018 to mature future combat air technologies, including:
- Model-based systems engineering
- Open architectures
- Digital twins
- Virtual environments
These digital approaches are intended to enable future combat air systems to be developed more rapidly and cost-effectively than previous generations of military aircraft.
International Developments
The announcement comes a day after Canada joined GCAP as the first Observer Nation, paving the way for deeper future involvement in the project.
Source
EuractivWestern
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UK boosts GCAP investment with £708 million combat air contract