An integrated combat air solution for an increasingly complex world
The UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) Programme is the nation’s long-term strategy for future air power superiority and maintaining credible control of the air as a deterrent through the introduction of a next-generation sovereign combat air capability.
It will provide the Royal Air Force (RAF) and its allies with a highly advanced military capability to counter an increasingly complex data driven battlespace. It will also play an important role in helping the UK to be a global leader in the development of digital combat air technologies.
As the programme’s industry lead, BAE Systems is integrating emerging technology and facilitating wider networking between partners and suppliers to give our armed forces the correct information and the right tools to make fast, reliable decisions to overcome the threat.
In an uncertain world, control of the air continues to be the nation’s first line of defence; safeguarding our security through precision,
agility and speed.
The Future Combat Air System is designed to deliver a highly advanced combat air solution in an increasingly complex and congested environment. It will deliver information-centric technologies with a digital thread running through it that allows continuous flow of information to shape the vital battlespace decisions and provide critical information superiority to the military operators.
As an integrated future combat air system, it has a nextgeneration stealth fighter jet at its core - operating as the central node controlling the air, through a connected network of systems and uncrewed assets and providing information superiority across land, sea, air and space. The wider integrated system will enable the principles of crewed–uncrewed teaming, software-driven capability, and seamless multi-domain integration, through real-time data sharing across all domains.
This all means that FCAS is far more than just a new fighter jet. It is a next-generation integrated combat air system delivering a vital step-change in capability as a highly credible deterrent capability, enabling freedom of action and sovereignty.
Ground-breaking technology development
Tempest is the UK’s future combat aircraft that will be delivered through the Global Combat Air Programme with sixth-generation capabilities to be one of the world’s most advanced, interoperable, adaptable and connected fighter jets in service.
The programme is leveraging and developing the very best technology in existence, working in partnership with academia and high-tech SMEs across the UK, embracing new ways of working and investing in advanced technology to drive pace and efficiency.
Take a look at some of the exciting technologies we are working on for Tempest.
Software driven, interactive cockpit allows pilots to take control using gestures. Augmented and Virtual Reality displays project vital information directly in front of the pilot’s eyes. Next Generation Radar
Powerful radar can provide 10,000 times more data than current systems, giving battle-winning advantage. Software Driven System
An open systems architecture allows easy and rapid changes in capability to suit any mission. Integrated Sensing
Advanced, highly-integrated sensors and communications systems work seamlessly together to provide vital information to the pilot. Efficient Power
A world first electrical starter generator saves space and provides the massive amounts of power required. Intelligent Weapons Systems
Using Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning, the system exploits information from the aircraft to maximise the effect that weapons can deliver.
The impact of Tempest
Tempest is creating and sustaining highly skilled jobs, driving investment in research and development and benefitting hundreds of companies throughout the supply chain, contributing to the long term economic prosperity of the UK.
Employees
Apprentices and graduates
Early careers network members
Suppliers
Assessment of the expected economic impact of Future Combat Air System programme (2025 - 2070)
On behalf of the Team Tempest industry partners, BAE Systems has commissioned PwC to produce a new assessment, which shows the significant and wide-spread benefit delivered by the programme; creating and sustaining highly skilled jobs in the combat air sector and beyond; driving investment in R&D and benefitting hundreds of companies throughout the supply chain, contributing to the long term economic prosperity of our nation.
The 2024 PwC report confirmed that Tempest will:
Economic contribution
Jobs
Productivity
Contribution
Careers on the programme
Tempest needs to be delivered in half the time and at a significantly lower cost than previous combat air programmes. That's why we're developing a future combat air system that brings together ground-breaking technologies in areas like Augmented Reality (AR) and Virtual Reality (VR), Artificial Intelligence (AI), cobotics, and more.
Across UK industry and the Ministry of Defence, there are already 4,500 people working on exciting technologies we couldn’t even have imagined in the previous generation of programmes. We need the engineers, the manufacturers, the technologists, the scientists and the thinkers of tomorrow to bring new ideas and ways of working to the programme.
Team Tempest is a UK partnership that brings together the very best of British industry – BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, Rolls-Royce, MBDA UK, alongside the Ministry of Defence, working in partnership to generate the technologies and experience required for the UK to lead the development of a next generation combat air system.