Seven of the UK’s leading aerospace and defence firms have joined Team Tempest, the cross-industry effort to develop a high tech, next generation combat aircraft for the RAF.
The companies involved include Bombardier Belfast, Collins Aerospace, GE Aviation UK, GKN Aerospace, Martin Baker, QinetiQ, and Thales UK. According to a statement from the project team, this is the first phase of organisations to sign such agreements, with more to be announced.
The organisations will now work alongside Team Tempest’s core partners – BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK, Rolls-Royce and the Ministry of Defence, to accelerate the development of new combat air technologies.
Commenting on the announcement, Dave Holmes, Manufacturing Director for BAE Systems’ Air sector, said: “We are delighted to have signed the first phase of these new agreements, which are transforming our traditional relationships with partners. We are seeking opportunities to widen the Team Tempest project and bring in the very best of UK capability and expertise, from both inside and outside of defence. They will work alongside us as we seek to develop the generation-defining combat air capability which will help safeguard the security of our nation and our allies to the end of this century.
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Alex Cresswell, Chief Executive and Chairman of Thales in the UK, added: “As we move from the industrial to information age Thales are delighted to be bringing our global expertise in cutting edge digital technologies and our world leading avionics business to support Team Tempest. Bringing the best of breed digital technologies from both the military and civil arenas to Team Tempest will enable the UK to dominate the digital battlespace of the future.”
Collectively the companies will look to support more than 60 technology demonstration activities which are currently underway, which will demonstrate and de-risk world-leading processes and technology in half the time and at significantly lower cost than previous complex combat air programmes.
As previously reported by The Engineer, Tempest – which was announced at the 2018 Farnborough Airshow – is expected to make use of a host of emerging technologies including a cutomisable virtual cockpit, directed energy weapons and even potentially a payload of air launched swarming UAVs.
Jeremy Quin, the UK Minister for Defence Procurement, said: “Today’s announcement demonstrates further progress in delivering the UK’s combat air strategy, with more companies collaborating on the future of the UK’s Air Defence. This is a highly innovative project based around cutting-edge technology and drawing on a skills base where the UK excels. I am delighted that the success and strengths of Team Tempest are being enhanced through drawing on UK expertise; working with industrial partners and highly capable international team we are configured for future success.”
So Tempest was announced 2 years ago, and we are just getting the phase 1 team together. Glad this is a high-speed development then. I’d hate to see it at slow speed. I guess we can expect a prototype in about 10 years then.
Maybe Steve it’s got more to do with the UK aerospace industry is facing the largest potential brain-drain outside of wartime due to redundancies. Maybe this is a way of protecting jobs and also accelerating an already rapidly progressing programme of work?
Or maybe not and cynical and snarky comments are better.
Sad indictment of the UK Defence/Aerospace industry that virtually all the major players are now subsidiaries of foreign multinational companies. Oh how the mighty have fallen, in less than five decades.
Not really, BAe is the 4th largest defence contractor and bought 2 US companies in January.
Before COVID Rolls Royce was one of the few genuine competitors to General Electric in commerical aeroengines.
Martin Baker is in a globally dominant position with ejection seats
MBDA is 37.5% owned by BAe, 37.5% Airbus and 25% Leonardo, it was formed as a joint european venture rather than being “bought out”
We do like to beat ourselves up sometimes.
I am being made redundant next week, having spent over 20 years in Aerospace with the last 10 years in Quality I would relish the opportunity to be involved in this project.
I’m all for seeing this project succeed but I hope BAE do not involve any of the US aerospace giants. Sweden and Italy are now involved, so it has already become an international venture. However, American involvement would undoubtedly result in insisting on becoming prime contractor, which would mean that Britain would unlikely, ever again, take the lead roll in any future international defence programmes.
More of the same, what Britain needs is a new direction in aircraft technology, not minor improvements in technology that was around just after the second world war. What is needed is thinking outside the square, Innovation and prosper, should be the aim of the new fighter jets, they should be able to take off vertically, be stationed any were with out the need for air strips, and have multi use capabilities.
Stephen Hancock, there is a big list of companies involved in this exciting venture. I’m sure you could find a position at one of them. And you’ll have a wad of cash in your pocket! Always look on the bright side of life, think we know a song about that!!!
Does nobody remember TSR2 ?
Antother vanity project born of brexit-thinking that will fail and be abandoned before completion.