Frag Out! Magazine
Issue link: https://fragout.uberflip.com/i/1333129
6th Generation in Europe Analyzing the possible paths of development pursued by the European air forces, one needs to take the long-term perspective into the ac- count as well. This area is founded around two competitive programs that are in their infancy - the 6th generation FCAS (Future Combat Air System) and Tempest projects. NGWS-FCAS The project was announced to be taking place in 2017. The key assumption adopted here is the objective: development of the 6th gene- ration FCAS platform that would replace the Eurofighters and Rafales between 2035 and 2040. Memorandum on development of a new fighter was concluded by and between Angela Merkel and Emmanuel Macron - German and French leaders. The project is pursued by se- veral European businesses, with the NGWS- FCAS project being led by Dassault Aviation (France), and Airbus Defense and Space (Paneuropean entity). Safran and MTU engine manufacturers, Thales (radar supplier), and MBDA (missile supplier) are also a part of the said project. Determining joint operational requirements by both nations was the next step in the process. High-Level Common Operational Requirements Document relevant in this case has been signed by the Defense Ministers of both states in March 2018, during the ILA Berlin Air Show 2018. On January 20th, 2019, Airbus and Dassault have been awarded the first contract worth EUR 65 million. The agreement covers FCAS conceptual works aimed at defining the shape of the future ma- nufacturing structure envisaged for the pro- ject. This is to take up to 2 years. The amount and the work were divided 50-50 between the businesses in question. Spain was the first European state that de- cided to join the new European fighter pro- gram. Spain asked to participate in the cost in December 2018. The country officially jo- ined the program six months later - in June 2019. The Spanish government appointed Indra to be the Spanish representative in the consortium, and to act as a coordinator of the whole Spanish industrial involvement - which has been surprising for those closely follo- wing the project. The decision was surprising for Airbus in particular, as Spain owns some shares in the Airbus business. As the deci- sion-makers were suggesting, the ownership structure was the main factor influencing this choice. Spain only has 4.16% of the Airbus shares. Germany and France own 12% each. Meanwhile - Spain owns 18.75% of the Indra shares. In July 2020 Indra announced that it is now a part of the JCS (Joint Concept Study) project launched in 2019 by Dassault Aviation and Airbus DS GmbH. At this stage, the French DGA defense procurement agency is supervi- sing the program, representing the MoDs of the states involved in the program. JCS is to search for and define the required capabilities and architecture for the NGWS „system of the systems". The definition in question would act as a roadmap for development works underta- ken by the players involved. The plans were confirmed in 2019 during a meeting of the heads of the Ministries of Defense of both states. Ursula von der Leyen and Florence Parly, visiting the Safran Aircraft Engines' plant in Gennevilliers, near Paris, were discussing the plans related to the new European fighter aircraft and the participation of the defense industries of both nations, in the production and design of the new jet. In August 2020 a memorandum was announced on the launch of the second part of the FCAS design effort. This has been done within the framework of a set of means aimed at acting against the COVID-19 crisis. The current pro- gram schedule assumes that the FCAS de- monstrator should carry out its maiden flight in 2025. The aircraft is expected to be intro- duced into service no sooner than in 2040. Noteworthy, FCAS is the primary, but not the sole element of the NGWS (Next Generation Weapon System). The system is to be com- plemented by PGMs and „loyal wingmen" that would be predisposed to carry out the riskiest, and challenging missions. The resources li- sted here are to be cloud-controllable so that the use of effectors and sensors is efficient and optimized. AVIATION