GCAP (Tempest)

A UK-Italian-Japanese program developing a sixth-generation stealth fighter and associated combat-air system for planned service from 2035.

Overview

The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), commonly associated with the UK-originated Tempest name, is a joint British, Italian and Japanese effort to develop a crewed, low-observable multirole fighter supported by networked sensors and uncrewed adjunct aircraft. It combines the UK's and Italy's Tempest work with Japan's former F-X program under a treaty-based international organization and a jointly owned industrial design authority.

GCAP is intended to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon in Royal Air Force and Italian Air Force service and the Mitsubishi F-2 in the Japan Air Self-Defense Force. The participating governments retain 2035 as the target for service entry, although the aircraft's final configuration, dimensions, performance, weapons fit and unit cost are not publicly established. The UK Ministry of Defence describes the future aircraft as operating alongside Typhoon, F-35 and autonomous systems rather than replacing every existing combat-air platform.

The program is administered by the GCAP International Government Organisation through its GCAP Agency. Edgewing, an equally owned joint venture formed by BAE Systems, Leonardo and the Mitsubishi Heavy Industries-led Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co., serves as the industrial prime contractor and design authority. The three governments have moved the project into joint design and development, but no production aircraft, operational unit or confirmed customer beyond the founding nations yet exists.

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