Edgewing awarded the contract to GCAP Electronics Evolution, known as G2E. The agreement covers further development of the Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects and Integrated Communications Systems, collectively known as ISANKE & ICS.
Edgewing is the joint venture formed by Leonardo, Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co and BAE Systems to design and develop the sixth-generation fighter. Its award to G2E follows a contract signed with the GCAP Agency, which manages the multinational programme for Italy, Japan and the United Kingdom.
The G2E consortium brings together ELT Group and Leonardo in Italy, Mitsubishi Electric Corporation in Japan and Leonardo UK. The four defence electronics companies are working as a single strategic enabling partner within the wider GCAP programme.
GCAP is being designed from the outset around ISANKE & ICS, making the electronics architecture an integral part of the aircraft rather than a collection of separate systems. The technology will fuse and integrate large volumes of data to provide pilots with the information needed to operate in a complex battlespace.
The planned architecture will combine sensing, communications and non-kinetic effects within a connected system. G2E said this approach would make the future fighter a powerful airborne sensor and information platform.
“This is a significant milestone for the consortium, cementing GCAP Electronics Evolution as a strategic enabling partner within the GCAP enterprise,” said Andrew Howard, Interim General Manager of the G2E consortium. “This contract reflects the progress we have made to transform from national companies to a single international entity.”
“We stand ready to deliver the next critical period in the ongoing development of the programme,” Howard said. “We continue to work closely within the GCAP enterprise as our team comes together to join our GCAP Agency and Edgewing partners at the programme HQ in Reading.”
