The partnership brings together the UK Ministry of Defence, BAE Systems, Leonardo, MBDA and Rolls-Royce. Since 2018, the team has focused on digital engineering, advanced manufacturing and the skills needed to sustain the UK’s sovereign combat air capability.
Around half of the main aircraft structure for the UK Combat Air Demonstrator is now in final assembly. The aircraft is described as the UK’s first crewed combat aircraft in 40 years.
More than 11,500 parts have been designed so far, representing about 90% of the aircraft’s overall weight. Many of those parts have been developed through the UK supply chain.
The programme has also completed the first robotically assembled component at its Factory of the Future. That component is due to undergo structural testing later this year alongside one of the aircraft’s wings.
The Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft has completed modifications and the next stage of flight trials. The aircraft will be used to test integrated sensing and communications systems for the next-generation fighter.
Team Tempest has also reached propulsion milestones linked to the future combat air system. Lessons from the Orpheus demonstrator are being used to support the design of the GCAP engine demonstrator.
“These achievements demonstrate the pace and scale of progress being delivered through the Team Tempest enterprise,” said Richard Berthon, Director of Future Combat Air at the UK Ministry of Defence. “From advanced digital manufacturing and flight testing to next-generation propulsion technologies, we are maturing the critical capabilities needed to deliver a world-leading Future Combat Air System for the UK.”
“The expertise, skills and technologies being developed today are not only reducing risk for GCAP, they are strengthening our sovereign combat air capability and ensuring the UK remains at the forefront of air power innovation for decades to come,” Berthon said. The Ministry of Defence said the work will help reduce programme risk while supporting future Royal Air Force capability.
The milestones show how Team Tempest is feeding technology, industrial know-how and test data into GCAP. The work is also intended to support the UK’s freedom of action and operational advantage in future combat air.
For UK industry, the programme is building capabilities that extend beyond defence and aerospace. The partners said the technologies and skills developed through Team Tempest will also support the wider economy.
