United Kingdom project to develop Tempest sixth-generation jet fighter moves forward with contract awards
LONDON – Britain's Tempest sixth-generation fighter jet is a step closer to reality after the United Kingdom Ministry of Defence (MOD) awarded BAE Systems a contract for $348 million to begin the program's concept and assessment phase. New Atlas reports. Continue reading original article
The Military & Aerospace Electronics take:
11 Aug. 2021 -- The cornerstone of Britain's Future Combat Air System, the Tempest jet fighter is being developed by the MOD, BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK, and Rolls-Royce under a trilateral agreement with Italy and Sweden. When it enters service in 2035, it will work alongside the Typhoon Eurofighter and the Lockheed Martin F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter, before eventually replacing them in the 2040s.
Under the new contract, the consortium will create the tools and techniques required to develop and assess the final design and capability specifications for the aircraft.
The twin-engine, delta-wing Tempest will include artificial intelligence, machine learning, and autonomous systems, which allow the craft to act as a flying command and control center while the pilot acts as an executive officer rather than a dogfighter. In addition, Tempest will have abundant surplus electrical power that will allow it to carry hypersonic missiles, control drone swarms, and run laser weapons.
John Keller, chief editor
Military & Aerospace Electronics
