The Global Combat Air Programme (Gcap), a program by the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan for the development of the next generation air combat system set to enter service in 2035, takes a new step forward in industrial cooperation.
On the occasion of the Farnborough International Airshow, the Sovereign Effects Partners (Sep), which bring together Mbda UK, Mbda Italy, Mitsubishi Electric and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, signed a collaboration agreement aimed at supporting the development of the sixth-generation fighter.
The agreement, explains a statement, provides for a new operating model through which the four partners will continue to work on a wide range of joint activities to support Edgewing, the trinational industrial joint venture established to lead the design and development of the program among the lead companies (Leonardo for Italy, Bae Systems for the United Kingdom and Mitsubishi Heavy Industries for Japan).
All the details.
THE ROLE OF THE SOVEREIGN EFFECTS PARTNERS
The agreement introduces a new operating model that will allow the partners to collaborate in a structured way to support the Gcap program, providing engineering expertise and technical advice in the field of technologies for the optimization of effectors and the digital integration of weapon systems.
It is “a collaborative approach that leads to acting as a single team in support of Gcap – overcoming national boundaries – to ensure that the capabilities related to complex next-generation effectors can enhance the new platform,” the statement specifies.
WHAT THE AGREEMENT PROVIDES REGARDING WEAPON SYSTEMS
The agreement does not provide for the joint development of new armaments. The goal is instead to harmonize the national approaches regarding the weapon systems of the three partner countries and to promote their digital integration within the Gcap platform. In this way, the Sovereign Effects Partners intend to consolidate international collaboration, moving from national contracts to a permanent operational structure, preparing for the subsequent phases of the program, the statement further explains.
The activities also include the provision of specialist consultancy and engineering services related to optimization technologies and the digital integration of effectors. These objectives – the statement continues – will be pursued through the use of cutting-edge technologies and processes, to ensure the best next-generation air combat capabilities while preserving technological and operational sovereignty.
MBDA’S CONTRIBUTION
Mbda, a European missile group joint venture of Airbus (37.5%), Bae Systems (37.5%) and Leonardo (25%), brings a long tradition of collaboration on major defense programs. Part of the British initiative “Team Tempest” since early 2018 – a commitment extended in 2019 with Italy’s joining the program which was meanwhile progressing – the European company brings decades of experience in the development and integration of weapon systems for various combat air platforms.
AND THAT OF MITSUBISHI ELECTRIC AND MHI
Moving on to the Japanese industries involved, Mitsubishi Electric played a key role in the Japanese F-2 program and has been involved in the development of the F-X program for Japan’s next-generation fighter. In addition to collaborating with the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan on the development of the Gcap fighter, Mitsubishi Electric works with Leonardo and Elt Group on the integrated sensor and communication systems of the aircraft.
Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, the only combat aircraft manufacturer in Japan, acts as prime contractor for the development and production of the F-2 fighter and for the production of the F-15 fighter. The company is also responsible for the development and production of guided weapon systems for various platforms in service with the Ground, Maritime and Self-Defense Forces.
