UK 6th Generation Fighter Named - Tempest

UKDJ

This article mentions that it was worked on from 1994 to 1998, 24 years ago!

I guess pilotless figher/bomber jets is the natural next step, the jets could make manoeuvers that with a pilot on board would be dangerous.

knowing our inept government though, theyll spend 90% of the budget, then cancel the program in a defence review...

originally posted by: ukmicky1980
UKDJ

This article mentions that it was worked on from 1994 to 1998, 24 years ago!

I guess pilotless figher/bomber jets is the natural next step, the jets could make manoeuvers that with a pilot on board would be dangerous.

knowing our inept government though, theyll spend 90% of the budget, then cancel the program in a defence review...

I started work there in 1994 and remember when Replica was released no one had a clue it was being built (I mean some would, but it was never discussed or even rumored). Taranis on the other hand although quite secret in details, everyone knew about it, including the public, but no one really new much except when they borrowed our production kit (bit like EAP borrowed numerous Tornado systems).

Although I understand the need to share development costs, I just don’t think the four other major European countries are good partners for the UK and I hope we stay clear of them.

France have a similar mindset and are developing their Rafale similar to the UK typhoon, but they just cannot accept they are an equal partner even if they are not paying the same or bringing the same technology, arrogant frog is a fair definition.

Germany, Italy and Spain don’t have the same requirements, they don’t really deploy overseas so more defence than offense and air not so much ground.

I don’t think we can cancel it, it may morph into something else (most likely) but we need to start planning Typhoon replacement even though we are still developing it!

originally posted by: Kurokage
This is starting to look like it could be a good party to be at??

Definitely! The export potential is massive, and to be fair that would be one of the main reasons behind any partnership. At the end of the day BAE is the third largest defence contractor on the planet, bigger than NG and GD. We absolutely have the capability to go this alone, with a propulsion partnership from Rolls.

The beauty of having a tight budget, a partially state owned tier 1 and a rapid capability office is that over engineering, scope creep and gold plating are all reduced, meaning you get a product on time, in spec and on budget. This is seriously exciting for the UK defence industry, and for the first time I'm seeing something positive coming from Brexit posturing!

Cheers
Robbie

Did the UK-French work on the joint UCAV programme go to the dogs? I cannot see that it would still be running.

This was the deal announced in 2014 that spliced the BAE Taranis with the Dassault Neuron UCAVs. The Franco-German announcement last year for a "future fighter" with Dassault in the driving seat probably produced the coffin, while the UK's announcement for Tempest would have produced the hammer and nails. Both parties to the 2014 contract are now competitors.

I wonder which party got the most benefit? I'm guessing Taranis was more advanced, so France (Dassault) got the benefits.

Taranis - Neuron

EDIT to add that the Franco-UK UCAV programme seems to have been a two-year affair. Not seen any output of the millions spent, but they probably had sandwiches at the meetings, but failed to agree whether the sandwiches has crusts on/off, or what the vegetarian option was etc...

a reply to: paraphi

Hi,

The FCAS UCAV program is still very much alive, although it remains to be seen what will happen post Brexit.

FCAS is not just one platform, it's a system of platforms that are inter-operable based on joint technologies developed across Europe. The amount of work which has already happened leads me to believe that regardless of the state of the EU and nationally developed programs like Tempest, FCAS as a system and a concept will remain and be delivered.

I wouldn't say that either Taranis or Neuron were more advanced than the other, they both demonstrated some incredible progress in UCAV technology and a great deal was learnt.

Cheers
Robbie

What’s more, any observer would have noted that in recent years all new combat aircraft have looked very similar. “There are only so many ways you can design an aeroplane in a wind tunnel which has both stealth and basic kinematics built in,” Bagwell said.

That needs to be said over and over until some people shaddap about X, Y or Z stealing stuff.

ahem.

www.theengineer.co.uk...

a reply to: anzha

That's one of those things that can't be said enough.

Is there anywhere in the Uk that does large scale airframe manufacturing anymore?Building scale demonstrators or UAV,s are one thing but building a large fighter is something the Uk hasnt done in a long time.Lot of good ideas though and knowing BAE they will pull it off.

a reply to: Blackfinger

Airbus are building Aircraft wings in North Wales, Iirc? the Hawk trainers are built in the North of England?

originally posted by: Blackfinger
Is there anywhere in the Uk that does large scale airframe manufacturing anymore?Building scale demonstrators or UAV,s are one thing but building a large fighter is something the Uk hasnt done in a long time.Lot of good ideas though and knowing BAE they will pull it off.

Ermm really?

Warton - We kinda built 600+ Typhoons there and are currently building Hawks.

Salmesbury - We make the whole F-35 empennage plus hundreds of other components for F-35

Filton - Airbus wing manufacture and the full fit out of the A400M.

AugustaWestland - Now leonardo based in Yeovil, build worldclass helicopters every day.

It's something we do every day here, definitely not something "the UK hasn't done in a long time"

Cheers

Robbie

Hey no offence...its good to see the Uk coming back from the days of the Tsr2 when the government decided to go to missiles.

originally posted by: OtherSideOfTheCoin
a reply to: stratsys-sws

Am just saying the billions that they are going to be spend on this could be put to better use.

In my humble opinion it would suit us better to invest this cash in our collapsing public services.

Trident renewal, new aircraft carriers and now this.....

How about we build some new hospitals, prisons, schools then start looking to build weapons of war.

With brexit, you need bigger guns to survive the new world. This is logic.

a reply to: stratsys-sws

A320 wings are also manufactured in Scotland by spirit aerosystems I see them getting transported everyday

a reply to: Woody510

Yeah Sorry Woody, the list is long and distinguished :-)

a reply to: stratsys-sws

No worries I replied to the wrong person. Its also worth noting though that Boeing have opened a factory in Sheffield I think haven't they. Rumour ha sit they're that impressed with it they're going to build another. Maybe a collaboration with Boeing/USA for the next fighter also??

a reply to: Woody510

Yeah it opened last week, they've had a long standing relationship with the University and the Advanced Materials centre there. It's the first manufacturing plant they've opened in Europe! Brexit...what Brexit? :-) I have also heard of plans for another manufacturing site.

To be honest I don't think Boeing Defence and BDUK will have much involvement with Tempest, it's being led by BAE and Leonardo. They may well end up providing parts and subsystems though.

Cheers
Robbie

a reply to: stratsys-sws

Be interesting to see what happens with Leonardo considering Italys economy isn't exactly the greatest atm and the fact they have a new government every other year.

Surprised someone put this up, the unveiling model was filmed and posted on youtubebeing towed at Cosford before Farnborough.

I know, it's just a concept model......

Cheers

Robbie

a reply to: stratsys-sws

It looks good. The cockpit reminds me of the F22.

a reply to: Woody510
Yeah, but that's Italy every year since anyone can remember.