The agreement enables the three companies to engage directly with Edgewing, the joint venture formed by BAE Systems, Leonardo and JAIEC of Japan. The partnership builds on progress achieved with the GCAP engine demonstrator, advancing technologies in additive manufacturing, cooling systems and high-pressure compressor design.
“At Avio Aero we are proud to contribute our well-established expertise and knowledge in the design, development and production of advanced engine technologies to this key international partnership. By working in lockstep with Rolls-Royce and IHI, we are not just developing the power and propulsion system for GCAP, we are shaping the future of the three nations aerospace collaboration,” said Pierfederico Scarpa, Senior Vice President Marketing & Sales, Avio Aero.
“This new agreement is a pivotal step — it allows us to move from national programmes to a truly international, one-team approach. By combining our complementary expertise, we’re accelerating technology breakthroughs in materials, manufacturing and design that will power GCAP and strengthen the defence industrial base across the UK, Italy and Japan,” said Phil Townley, Director Defence Aerospace – Future Programmes, Rolls-Royce.
“This collaboration represents a new era for combat air propulsion. By combining Japanese innovation in advanced technologies with the strengths of our UK and Italian partners, we are creating an engine that will deliver unmatched performance for GCAP while also reinforcing the shared industrial foundations of our three nations,” said Atsushi Sato, President Aero Engine, Space & Defence Business Area, IHI Corporation.
The consortium has already conducted trilateral reviews to approve the demonstrator design and initiated hardware procurement. Recent milestones include a successful test of a combustor developed with enhanced additive layer manufacturing, featuring cooling pathways that allow higher turbine operating temperatures while improving component durability and sustainability.
