Next Gen UK Fighter Revealed

[AshVX220]

It's not often that we reveal proposal's for completely new aircraft and it's probably been a very long time since it was a fighter aircraft that was revealed solely from the UK.

But Tempest could be something the UK could produce and sell.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-unveils-new-nex...

[Eric Mc]

Good name.

The Agile Combat Aircraft was unveiled at Farnborough in 1982. That became the Typhoon.

Expect the Tempest to enter service around 2050.

[AshVX220]

Eric Mc said:

Good name.

The Agile Combat Aircraft was unveiled at Farnborough in 1982. That became the Typhoon.

Expect the Tempest to enter service around 2050.

I didn't realise Typhoon was that long ago, I thought it debuted as the European Aircraft Program (EAP) in the late '80's ('88-'89).

But yes, Tempest won't enter service for quite some time, the nature of defence projects I think.

[CrutyRammers]

I confess to being surprised it's manned.

[mebe]

Going to need a pilot for the day your comms links are jammed, your GPS is denied and your Satcomms is taken out. Leaving the pilot behind is great for low intensity and/or low tech environments but not really a serious option until the platform can fight autonomously, and we are a long way from that.

[okenemem]

[Tony1963]

As far as I know, the ACA only existed as a mock up, and was never intended to be a production aircraft. The EAP, that came partly from the ACA, was intended to push the tech for the Eurofighter programme.

I spent three months at Warton in 1991. The EAP had just about finished its flying but was still there with the odd Lightning and Bucc.

The special memory though is from when we walked into a small hangar to be greeted by three cockpit sections, in primer, being tended by men in white dustcoats. Yep, development Typhoons in the making!

Let's hope that BAeSystems can make some money from this. We will need it to succeed in the uncertain future we've landed ourselves with.

[williamp]

Looks too much like firefox. The pilots will need to think in Russian....

[ecsrobin]

Have we just ripped off the Chinese for once?

[Eric Mc]

AshVX220 said:

I didn't realise Typhoon was that long ago, I thought it debuted as the European Aircraft Program (EAP) in the late '80's ('88-'89).

But yes, Tempest won't enter service for quite some time, the nature of defence projects I think.

The EAP was the proof of concept demonstrator. I saw it fly at the 1986 Farnborough Show.

[Wozy68]

AshVX220 said:

It's not often that we reveal proposal's for completely new aircraft and it's probably been a very long time since it was a fighter aircraft that was revealed solely from the UK.

But Tempest could be something the UK could produce and sell.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-unveils-new-nex...

I really wish this would be the case .... however .

Future like the TSR2? Those in power haven’t had the guts since the mid sixties to see anything through under our own umbrella ..... if this actually ever came to something in the first place. .....

Emperors New Clothes IMO .... which is so sad

[telecat]

I'd avoid going into partnership with the German's again. Much of the gestation time of the Typhoon was down to them changing their mind or wanting more or less work according to the government of the time. They wasted time then whinged about the extra costs

[Al Murphy]

Maybe time to collaborate with someone from the Middle East, or Far East? Avoid a product with ITAR concerns and open up to new trading partners.

There is definitely some interesting tech mooted for inclusion on it.

Al

Edited by Al Murphy on Tuesday 17th July 11:12

[Tony1963]

Al Murphy said:

Maybe time to collaborate with someone from the Middle East, or Far East? Avoid a product with ITAR concerns and open up to new trading partners.

There is definitely some interesting tech mooted for inclusion on it.

Al

Yeah, the horrors of ITAR. It'd save a fortune, avoiding that crap!

Edited by Al Murphy on Tuesday 17th July 11:12[/footnote]

[footnote]Edited by Tony1963 on Tuesday 17th July 12:36

[kurt535]

will combat aircraft really need a pilot by 2050? i genuinely cant see it. drone evolution will have overtaken the idea i think

[Tony1963]

kurt535 said:

will combat aircraft really need a pilot by 2050? i genuinely cant see it. drone evolution will have overtaken the idea i think

In the link it says operational by 2035

[mcdjl]

kurt535 said:

will combat aircraft really need a pilot by 2050? i genuinely cant see it. drone evolution will have overtaken the idea i think

Its easier to start with space and systems to look after a pilot, then replace them with a computer, than try to put one in later on if the AI doesn't work out to plan.

[AlexS]

AshVX220 said:

It's not often that we reveal proposal's for completely new aircraft and it's probably been a very long time since it was a fighter aircraft that was revealed solely from the UK.

But Tempest could be something the UK could produce and sell.

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/uk-unveils-new-nex...

I think you will find Leonardo are Italian.

[Eric Mc]

AlexS said:

I think you will find Leonardo are Italian.

It includes Westland, doesn't it?

It was Agusta/Westland.

[aeropilot]

kurt535 said:

will combat aircraft really need a pilot by 2050? i genuinely cant see it. drone evolution will have overtaken the idea i think

I don't think so, I think there will always be a need for some manned combat aircraft, especially after the first armed drone gets hacked by 'others' and that will happen at some point.