Today, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) has announced a contract extension worth £656 million to BAE Systems to further progress the conception and technology for Tempest, the next generation combat aircraft due to enter RAF service by 2035.
As a trusted partner of BAE Systems, supplying design and analysis solutions, we are delighted to see the continued support of the Tempest project by the UK government. All UK Tempest partners work in close collaboration with the MoD and will now progress the maturity of more than 60 cutting-edge technology demonstrations, digital concepts and new technologies.
Speaking of today’s announcement, Ben Wallace, UK Secretary of State for Defence, said: “The next tranche of funding for future combat air will help fuse the combined technologies and expertise we have with our international partners – both in Europe and the Pacific – to deliver this world-leading fighter jet by 2035, protecting our skies for decades to come.”
The new tranche of funding will now allow further development of the ground-breaking science and R&D already delivered by UK Tempest partners; BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce.
Herman Claesen, Managing Director, Future Combat Air Systems – BAE Systems Air Sector, added: “The continued commitment by the UK Government ensures we continue to mature this significant programme and the vital technology pipeline that will drive innovation into – and beyond – the combat air sector for decades to come.”
Tempest is designed to be an innovative stealth fighter with supersonic capability and equipped with cutting-edge technologies; it is being designed with the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) partners in Japan and Italy. Spanning many decades, the programme secures thousands of jobs and adds significant economic value to the UK, Italy and Japan. There are already more than 2,800 people working within UK partners and the wider industry, with almost 600 organisations on contract, including SMEs and academic institutions.”
