6th Generation Fighter Meta Thread

originally posted by: anzha
Dassault predicts decade delay for FCAS:

Bet the Germans and Spanish are wishing they had joined Tempest. Working with the French seems to be the most excruciating experience ever.

One wonders about the politics here. It'll be beneficial for Dassault to extend the development, as that gives a need to keep Rafale going. Collapsing FCAS would be an even bigger money-spinner. Not for a minute suggesting Dassault and the French are obsessed with money.

a reply to: paraphi
Like the Brits they have worked out that being in a team with the French is not good business..

news.usni.org...

aviationweek.com...

Uk and Japan seeking to merge their next gen fighter projects:

www.reuters.com...

That would be win for both countries.
a reply to: anzha

Tempest demonstrator to take flight within 5 years:

breakingdefense.com...

Supposedly.

www.janes.com...

Italy expects to start Tempest exports in 2040:

breakingdefense.com...

Just been pondering one thing: whilst we still have no real idea of what a 6th generation fighter will end up offering, is it possible that what the US comes up with the for the NGAD will be - perhaps - incredibly advanced compared to 5th gen aircraft, whereas what Europe - and probably Russia - come up with will more realistically be a 5.5 / 5+ generation?

Just basing it on the fact US has built and operated 5th generation aircraft for over 20 years now, and only China has truly built and operated a 5th generation aircraft quite recently with the J-20. America's expertise, money, technological excellence and innovative ability across the full range of systems that comprise an aircraft. Whilst I have no doubt that Tempest will be world class and maybe world beating in some systems, the "total package" for defining the 6th gen will be the NGAD.

This is an interesting read re: the UK's Tempest programme. It also has some comparison images for the original compared to the current design thinking.

The Drive - Tempest

In other news. The fractious relationship between the partners of the French, German and Spanish FCAS programme continue. Airbus and Dassault fighting it out over workshare, IP and all that.

Japan moves forward:

www.janes.com...

Rolls Royce's Orpheus demonstrator to support team tempest:

www.flightglobal.com...

Dassault has given Airbus an end of year deadline to sort out the FCAS workshare negotiations:

www.flightglobal.com...

India and France are in talks about an engine for the AMCA:

www.janes.com...

It is not official yet, but there is serious rumors about the development of a new stealth drone by Dassault (based on the Neuron) to operate alongside the Rafale and on its own while wating for the FCAS.

a reply to: Ghoul

I suspect one of the 6th gen defining characteristics will be loyal wingmen of various stripes, flavors and characters.

We really ought to have a loyal wingmen meta thread. (hint hint)

Adaptive Engine effort for the 6th gen started:

www.flightglobal.com...

Team Tempest has stormy seas:

www.janes.com...

a reply to: anzha
I can see Sweden doing their own version once everyone starts..

Whelp.

Franco-German SCAF is looking to be pushed to 2050s:

breakingdefense.com...

related to 6th gen but not quite the same, GE has finished its AETP work:

www.janes.com...

China is on course for a 6th gen:

breakingdefense.com...

France and Germany are trying to get their 6th gen back on track:

www.flightglobal.com...

Accounting office unhappy about whether or not the NGAD is sufficiently advanced the tech to ready for the EMD phase to start:

breakingdefense.com...