The project involves the Ministry of Defence and the Team Tempest industry partners, led by BAE Systems, and a number of companies across the UK.
The first flight of the combat air demonstrator aircraft is set to take place within the next four years.
The flying demonstrator will be a piloted supersonic aircraft testing a range of new technologies including integration of stealth compatible features.
It will provide evidence for the critical technologies, methods and tools, which will be used on the next generation future combat air system.
-
UK industry reveals advanced technologies for next generation flying combat air demonstrator
Engineers from the UK’s leading combat air industry partners have released more details about work taking place to deliver the UK’s first flying combat air demonstrator for a generation. -
New multi-million pound investment to boost technologies for the UK’s future combat aircraft
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a contract extension worth £656 million to BAE Systems to progress the concepting and technology of the next generation combat aircraft, known as Tempest in the UK. -
UK industry to play key role in new Global Combat Air Programme, delivering next phase of combat air fighter jet development
The UK’s sovereign industry partners, under Team Tempest, will support the significant endeavour announced today by the Governments of the UK, Japan and Italy, which will see the three nations build a truly international programme, with a shared ambition to develop a next generation fighter aircraft under a new Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). -
UK's 'Next-Generation' Combat Air Demonstrator Set To Fly
The UK Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace MP has confirmed plans for Britain to lead the development of a new flying combat air demonstrator, which will play a critical role in proving the technology and design principles needed to deliver the UK’s Future Combat Air System. -
Multi-million pound Tempest funding set to advance the UK’s future Combat Air capability
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a contract worth approximately £250m to progress the design and development of Tempest, the UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The contract, signed by BAE Systems, officially marks the start of the programme’s concept and assessment phase. -
New findings reveal future combat air programme Tempest is poised to drive productivity, innovation and skills development right across the UK
An independent report produced by professional services firm, PwC, has confirmed the economic impact of the Tempest programme will be felt in every region of the UK, supporting an average of 21,000 jobs a year, with 70% of the programme’s value generated in the North West, South West and East of England. -
Futuristic radar for the UK’s future combat aircraft will capture the equivalent of a ‘city’s worth of data’ in a second
British engineers have today revealed some of the latest concepts under development for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) next generation combat air system. -
The UK’s future combat air programme can generate billions for the UK economy
For the first time, preliminary data has revealed the economic importance of the UK’s future combat air programme, Tempest - predicting it will support an average of 20,000 jobs every year from 2026 to 2050.1 -
Ground-breaking solar powered unmanned aircraft makes first flight
Persistent High Altitude Solar Aircraft (PHASA-35®) has the potential to stay airborne for a year.
-
Overview
The project involves the Ministry of Defence and the Team Tempest industry partners, led by BAE Systems, and a number of companies across the UK.
The first flight of the combat air demonstrator aircraft is set to take place within the next four years.
The flying demonstrator will be a piloted supersonic aircraft testing a range of new technologies including integration of stealth compatible features.
It will provide evidence for the critical technologies, methods and tools, which will be used on the next generation future combat air system. -
News
-
UK industry reveals advanced technologies for next generation flying combat air demonstrator
Engineers from the UK’s leading combat air industry partners have released more details about work taking place to deliver the UK’s first flying combat air demonstrator for a generation. -
New multi-million pound investment to boost technologies for the UK’s future combat aircraft
The Ministry of Defence (MoD) has awarded a contract extension worth £656 million to BAE Systems to progress the concepting and technology of the next generation combat aircraft, known as Tempest in the UK. -
UK industry to play key role in new Global Combat Air Programme, delivering next phase of combat air fighter jet development
The UK’s sovereign industry partners, under Team Tempest, will support the significant endeavour announced today by the Governments of the UK, Japan and Italy, which will see the three nations build a truly international programme, with a shared ambition to develop a next generation fighter aircraft under a new Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). -
UK's 'Next-Generation' Combat Air Demonstrator Set To Fly
The UK Secretary of State for Defence, Ben Wallace MP has confirmed plans for Britain to lead the development of a new flying combat air demonstrator, which will play a critical role in proving the technology and design principles needed to deliver the UK’s Future Combat Air System. -
Multi-million pound Tempest funding set to advance the UK’s future Combat Air capability
The Ministry of Defence (MOD) has awarded a contract worth approximately £250m to progress the design and development of Tempest, the UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS). The contract, signed by BAE Systems, officially marks the start of the programme’s concept and assessment phase. -
New findings reveal future combat air programme Tempest is poised to drive productivity, innovation and skills development right across the UK
An independent report produced by professional services firm, PwC, has confirmed the economic impact of the Tempest programme will be felt in every region of the UK, supporting an average of 21,000 jobs a year, with 70% of the programme’s value generated in the North West, South West and East of England. -
Futuristic radar for the UK’s future combat aircraft will capture the equivalent of a ‘city’s worth of data’ in a second
British engineers have today revealed some of the latest concepts under development for the Royal Air Force’s (RAF) next generation combat air system. -
The UK’s future combat air programme can generate billions for the UK economy
For the first time, preliminary data has revealed the economic importance of the UK’s future combat air programme, Tempest - predicting it will support an average of 20,000 jobs every year from 2026 to 2050.1 -
Ground-breaking solar powered unmanned aircraft makes first flight
Persistent High Altitude Solar Aircraft (PHASA-35®) has the potential to stay airborne for a year.
-
Latest developments
Crew Ejection
Working alongside UK crew escape specialist, Martin Baker, a team of BAE Systems engineers has led ejection seat trials, using a rocket-propelled sled travelling at speeds of more than 500mph.
Experienced engineers have worked alongside junior team members to pass on vital skills which can be taken forward into future developments of Tempest.
Aerodynamic Engine Testing
Engineers have been carrying out aerodynamic engine testing, harnessing new advanced manufacturing processes to produce an engine duct which is uniquely shaped to slow the air from supersonic to sub-sonic speeds at the engine face.
The intake has fewer moving parts than a traditional fighter jet design, enhancing the aircraft's stealthy design. The test was conducted at Rolls-Royce’s site in Filton, Bristol, in the same facility where the Concorde Olympus engine was tested in the 1960s.
Simulated Flight Trials
In a first for military aircraft design, BAE Systems’ engineers have used auto coding to create safety-critical systems software in a matter of days rather than weeks.
This enables rapid assessment of the flight control systems during more complex flight manoeuvres with the simulator capturing crucial data about how the jet will handle and perform, years before its first flight.
The demonstrator is an exciting once-in-a-generation opportunity providing experienced and young engineers alike a chance to contribute to an endeavour which really matters to our national defence and security. Charles Woodburn, BAE Systems Chief Executive
