✈️ Aircraft Specifications
| Designation | GCAP/Tempest |
| Manufacturer | BAE/MHI/Leonardo |
| Country of Origin | International |
| First Flight | 2032 |
| Length | 17.0 m (55.8 ft) |
| Max Speed (Mach) | 2.5 |
| Max Speed (km/h) | 3,000 km/h |
| Service Ceiling | 20,000 m (65,620 ft) |
| Engine | Next-gen adaptive cycle |
| Crew | 1 |
| Status | Concept |
Overview
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), originally known as Tempest, is a joint UK-Japan-Italy sixth-generation fighter program. It aims to field a next-generation combat aircraft by 2035 to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon and Japan’s F-2.
Design & Development
GCAP combines the best of three nations’ aerospace expertise:
- UK (BAE Systems) — stealth airframe, mission systems
- Japan (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries) — advanced radar, engine technology from the X-2 Shinshin demonstrator
- Italy (Leonardo) — avionics, electronic warfare
The aircraft is expected to feature adaptive stealth, AI-enabled mission systems, optionally manned capability, directed energy weapons, and cooperative engagement with unmanned platforms.
Key Technologies
- Adaptive stealth coatings that change properties in real-time
- Sixth-generation sensor fusion with quantum computing
- Virtual cockpit using augmented reality
- Swarming drone control capability
- Advanced EW suite for electronic attack
Status
The three-nation partnership was formally established in December 2022. A joint venture company (GIGO) manages the program. Target in-service date is 2035. Total program cost is estimated at 5-40 billion.
Frequently Asked Questions
How fast will GCAP be?
Exact specs are classified, but it is expected to exceed Mach 2.0 as a 6th-generation fighter.
Which countries are developing GCAP?
The UK (BAE Systems), Italy (Leonardo), and Japan (Mitsubishi Heavy Industries).
When will GCAP enter service?
First flight targeted for 2028, with service entry around 2035. It will replace the Eurofighter Typhoon.
What happened to the Tempest name?
The UK’s Tempest program merged with Japan’s F-X program in 2022 to form GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme).