The commander of the Italian Air Force predicted the merger of the FCAS (Future Combat Air System) and Tempest programs aimed at developing sixth-generation fighters.
The possible merger of two sensational European programs to create a new generation of fighters was announced by the commander of the Italian Air Force, Luca Goretti. According to him, Italy joined the Tempest program because it felt that it could play a greater role in the development of a new aircraft than in the case of the Future Combat Air System.
Since both Tempest and FCAS are at an early stage, it is normal that each side evaluates different options. "But naturally, these two realities will merge into one, because investing huge financial resources in two equivalent programs is unthinkable," Goretti said.
While the United Kingdom and Italy (with the undoubted leadership of London) are working on Tempest, France, Germany and Spain are creating their own fighter under the FCAS program, which has the symbol New Generation Fighter.
Tempest Layout
Image source: usinenouvelle
The programs are aimed at developing different combat vehicles. However, they are similar conceptually. Both see as "systems of systems", which should include manned (or optionally manned) fighters, sensor sets, fundamentally new aviation weapons and UAVs. Both fighters should be inconspicuous. It is assumed that the new aircraft will eventually completely replace the fourth-generation fighters Dassault Rafale and Eurofighter Typhoon. Approximately, this may happen in the 2040s.
Recall that the layout of the aircraft created under the FCAS program was demonstrated at the aviation and space salon at Le Bourget airport in 2019. A year earlier, the British presented the appearance of Tempest. According to him, the car will be built according to the "tailless" scheme. She will receive two keels deflected to the sides and two engines.
NGF Layout
Image source: usinenouvelle
It is noteworthy that the UK went to an extremely expensive development, despite the purchase of the American F-35B shortened takeoff and vertical landing. And also, despite the fact that the last "national" fighter of the United Kingdom was the Harrier, which made its first flight back in 1967.
Russia, in turn, is actively developing a new generation fighter Checkmate. Recently it became known about the construction of several prototypes. The first flight is scheduled for 2023. Production of the installation batch is planned to begin in 2026.
