The future of combat air
  • Launched in 2018, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is the UK’s national programme and requirement for next-generation air power. It represents the UK’s commitment to delivering a sixth-generation combat air capability—transforming how air power is designed, delivered, and sustained.
  • FCAS goes beyond a single aircraft. It is a fully integrated combat air ecosystem, built to operate in an increasingly complex and digital battlespace.
  • FCAS will integrate core crewed aircraft, uncrewed platforms, and next generation weapons using cyber-resilient networks and high-speed computing power. 
  • Combined, these elements will deliver a highly connected, adaptable and resilient force—designed for the challenges of the 21st century.
Introducing Tempest

At the heart of FCAS is Tempest—the UK’s next-generation combat aircraft. Developed through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) in partnership between the UK, Italy, and Japan, Tempest will be one of the most advanced fighter jets ever built.

Designed to be interoperable, adaptable and fully connected, Tempest will play a central role within the wider combat air system.

Delivering for the future

As Team Tempest, we are sustaining and developing the critical skills needed to design, deliver, and support next-generation air power in the UK.

This work is already driving progress—through the creation of over 60 technology development programmes, including pioneering initiatives such as the UK’s first crewed combat air demonstrator in 40 years and the Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft. 

Together, we are defining the future of combat air—ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of global defence innovation. Take a look at the impact of Team Tempest below

Employees

4,500+
Employees working directly as part of Team Tempest across the industry partners and Ministry of Defence.

Careers

3,000+
Apprentices and graduates recruited across Team Tempest partners since 2022.

Network

750+
Early careers network members across the Team Tempest partners.

Suppliers

600+
UK suppliers across the Team Tempest partners.

Opportunities

90%
of FCAS jobs are outside of London and the South East, providing opportunities across the UK.
Our partners

Team Tempest is made up of the very best of British industry: BAE Systems, Leonardo, MBDA UK, and Rolls-Royce, working together with the UK Ministry of Defence.

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BAE SYSTEMS
BAE Systems provides some of the world’s most advanced, technology-led defence, aerospace and security solutions, employing a skilled workforce of around 110,000 people in more than 40 countries. Its Air Sector is at the heart of the UK’s sovereign combat air capability, delivering combat air readiness and ensuring its Air Force customers have the equipment, services, and skills they need to protect to maintain security and economic prosperity.
 
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LEONARDO
Leonardo is an international industrial group and one of the world's major players in Aerospace, Defence and Security. In the UK, it is one of the country's leading engineering companies and a key supplier of defence and security equipment to the UK Ministry of Defence. Operating from ten main sites across the country, Leonardo employs around 9,500 highly skilled people. 

 

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MBDA

MBDA is a unique multi-national European group and a world-leader in the field of complex weapon systems. In the UK, MBDA’s history dates to the 1940s, when the first missiles entered service in the UK Armed Forces. Some remarkable programmes preceded the systems currently in service with the British Army, Royal Navy, and Royal Air Force. Today, MBDA has cutting- edge capability like ASRAAM, CAMM, Storm Shadow, and Brimstone helping front line troops protect the UK and its interests.

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ROLLS-ROYCE

For decades, Rolls-Royce has been a global leader in military aviation, keeping nations safe with world-class engineering. Its defence business supports multiple markets, including transport, combat, submarines, and naval. Rolls-Royce continues to be selected as a long-term partner in the development, manufacture, and maintenance of defence power for critical military missions to deter threats, preserve life, and maintain order. 
 

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MINISTRY OF DEFENCE

The Ministry of Defence (MOD) is a core partner in Team Tempest, leading the national and international effort to deliver the UK’s next generation combat air aircraft through the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The MOD provides the strategic direction, operational insight, and mission focus that underpins the programme — ensuring that the UK’s Future Combat Air System is designed to meet real world defence and security needs, now and into the future.