Aeralis to contribute to Global Combat Air Programme efforts
The GCAP contract award follows on from Aeralis’s contract with the RAF Rapid Capability Office. (Photo: Aeralis)
The UK MoD will use Aeralis's digital enterprise system for development of a variety of future programmes, including the Global Combat Air Programme and Future Combat Air System, with the goal of reduced timescale and cost.
The UK MoD awarded a digital engineering support service contract under the newly announced Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) to Aeralis on 13 December.
The contract, dubbed Digital Aviation Learning from Experience, will allow the MoD to access information that Aeralis generates using its digital enterprise system.
The solution was developed with the objective of enabling Aeralis to develop a family of light military aircraft in a shorter timescale at reduced cost using a fully integrated digital approach to design, development and certification.
Related Articles
UK FCAS combat aircraft programme expands tech support with new contract
I/ITSEC 2022: BAE Systems and Red 6 augment Hawk trainer jet's reality
UK, Italy and Japan tie the knot with joint fighter project
Such goals will be invaluable in development of the UK Future Combat Air System and Britain’s contribution to the GCAP – but the MoD will use the system in the development of other programmes too.
The contract award follows on from Aeralis’s contract with the RAF Rapid Capability Office (RCO) to support PYRAMID, the service's open system architecture awarded in 2021.
The PYRAMID programme introduces a paradigm shift from current methods of avionic systems design and procurement and is planned to form the core of Aeralis's modular avionics and mission system.
Commenting on the newly awarded contract, director of Future Combat Air for the MoD Richard Berthon said: ‘I am delighted that the Future Combat Air System will benefit from the transformational digital engineering services of Aeralis.
‘The learning that we will get from Aeralis will support digital engineering across our FCAS enterprise; providing us with the information we need to be able to make informed decisions on this programme as it progresses.’
Last July, Aeralis also signed an MoU with Ascent Flight Training to develop a future flying training system and explore potential collaboration for the delivery of military flying training in the UK and other places.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![CH-47 Chinook: why the iconic helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender (updated 2026)]()
CH-47 Chinook: why the iconic helicopter design is still a heavy-lift contender (updated 2026)
From its emergence as a ground-breaking design in the 1950s to its widespread deployment in diverse operations worldwide, the Chinook continues to leave an indelible mark on the aviation landscape. Shephard sums up the helicopter’s latest developments.
-
![UK vows to accelerate Lyra programme for Ukraine as defence industry eyes opportunities]()
UK vows to accelerate Lyra programme for Ukraine as defence industry eyes opportunities
Project Nightfall and Project Octopus both fall under the Lyra programme, with UK industry working to develop and deliver additional missiles and drones to help bolster Ukraine’s warfighting capabilities against Russia.
-
![How detection-led C-UAS solutions are transforming drone defense]()
How detection-led C-UAS solutions are transforming drone defense
Modern C-UAS solutions must detect threats early, integrate layered sensors, and deliver fast, scalable, adaptable defense against evolving drones.
-
![US approves $16.5 billion in ‘emergency’ sales for air defence equipment for Middle East allies]()
US approves $16.5 billion in ‘emergency’ sales for air defence equipment for Middle East allies
The United Arab Emirates has taken the lion’s share of this round, with the US supporting its F-16 fleet and signing off on possible sales for more AMRAAM AIM-120 missiles and a counter-drone system.
-
![How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics]()
How uncrewed rotary platforms are shaping approaches to contested logistics
Defence industry primes are working on an array of different platforms to meet the growing need for rotary uncrewed aerial vehicles to carry out future logistics missions.
