Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)

[Τhragg]

Global Combat Air Programme

Do you want to see it fly one day?

• Yes
• No

History

The GCAP Tempest is a “sixth-generation” stealth fighter being developed jointly by the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Originally launched as the UK-led Tempest project in 2018, it aimed to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon. Japan’s parallel effort, the F-X program, intended to replace its Mitsubishi F-2, focused on similar technologies. In 2022, both projects merged to form GCAP, combining industrial and technological strengths. A new concept model was revealed in July 2024, with the first operational aircraft expected by 2035.

two major details from an interview by the royal air force.

• “We’re talking really extreme range, maybe getting across the Atlantic to America on internal fuel”
• “Payload is what we’re all about… we’re talking roughly double an F-35A’s payload”

Simple reading for the lazy people:

Role: expected to be a Multirole
Development: Bae Systems Tempest & F-X
Predecessors: My beloved Eurofighter Typhoon & Mitsubishi F-2
Countries that are involved: Japan, Italy & UK

development phase: 2025
demonstrator: 2027
production begins: 2035

GCAP Renders/models

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Bae systems tempest old render/models

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Mitsubishi F-X old prototype renders

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GCAP manufacturing underway for demonstrator

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Engine demonstrator

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manufacter

GCAP Excalibur testbed

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Size comparison to the F-2 and Eurofighter according to the render

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My other topics if anyone else is interested. Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor

Feel free discussing about other 6th gen aircraft’s for comparison or whatever & let me know if I need to correct some errors, thanks.

[Fireraid233]

Toshiba unveiled a aesa radar meant for GCAP in 2024. Still not sure how each nations GCAP will differ.

[MAUSWAFFE]

IHI presentation render, it’s quite different from the F-X render and first presented publicly in October last year.

More angles

It also has some interesting details animated, including what seems to be 2D thrust vectoring, the fully moving angled tail and these interesting small control fins on the back.

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Source:

https://x.com/hitonoia/status/1847279319732904111

[Τhragg]

@Fireraid233

Still not sure how each nations GCAP will differ.

I’m guessing their all using the same, or maybe britain & Italy are making up something for their own. I might do a little research on it if I can… Have they specified a name for this new radar?

@MAUSWAFFE

It also has some interesting details animated, including what seems to be 2D thrust vectoring

Does look similar to the old render, at least in my opinion. Speaking of 2d tvc, the GCAP model/render engine does look similar to that of the F-22 nozzles could suggest tvc but I find it strange on a 6th gen

[Fireraid233]

@Tyρhoon

I’m guessing their all using the same, or maybe britain & Italy are making up something for their own. I might do a little research on it if I can… Have they specified a name for this new radar?

So far not that i can find.

We know each nation will contribute to something
“Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, BAE Systems, and Leonardo will work on the aircraft body. They have already planned their roles by fall 2023. IHI in Japan will develop the engine, and Mitsubishi Electric will be in charge of the electronic systems inside the body”

Japan and UK bear 80% of the cost of the next-gen aircraft

[MAUSWAFFE]

@Tyρhoon

Does look similar to the old render, at least in my opinion

My best guess for what it is is a later depiction of F-X (pre-GCAP) that we just haven’t seen before.

But it being used does suggest that GCAP design isn’t fully locked in. I think what we’re seeing now is the design for the testbed that’s under construction, which is likely going to be for GCAP what YF-22 was for F-22.

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@Tyρhoon

Speaking of 2d tvc, the GCAP model/render engine does look similar to that of the F-22 nozzles could suggest tvc but I find it strange on a 6th gen

I could see TVC being used to minimize movement of the control surfaces as a way to reduce visibility. But it could also just be low visibility design around non-TVC engines.

[Константинович7]

Hopefully it won’t fall under the F-22 Raptor situation: extremely expensive to maintain and manufacture and actually makes the step further in the new generation aircraft and away from the old but yet active forth generation.

[Gunjob]

Give

[Gunjob]

PLZ SNAIL

[Τhragg]

@Gunjob

Something straight out of star wars, love it

[Fireraid233]

[Gunjob]

Glue some ASRAAM to it.

[Kir]

The name is badass as well, “Dragonfire”

[Τhragg]

[Kir]

Oh look, it’s the same issue plaguing FCAS as well lmao

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[Fireraid233]

From my understanding at least reading what they are talking about it seems U.K might be unwilling to share some specific technologies? I wonder why though considering Italy and Japan are basically sharing everything.