FCAS Phase 1A framework contract awarded
The governments of France and Germany have launched the demonstrator phase for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) with the issue of an initial framework contract.
The 18-month contract for Phase 1A has been awarded to industry partners Dassault Aviation, Airbus, MTU Aero Engines, Safran, MBDA and Thales.
The team will begin work on developing the demonstrators and maturing cutting-edge technologies, with the goal of beginning flight tests in 2026.
Under the demonstrator phase a number of technical challenges will be looked at. Next Generation Fighter technology will be led by Dassault Aviation as prime contractor and Airbus as main partner, to be the core element of FCAS; Unmanned systems Remote Carrier technology will be led by Airbus as prime contractor and MBDA as main partner; while Combat Cloud technology will also be led by Airbus as prime contractor and Thales as main partner. Safran will lead engine technology with MTU as main partner.
A simulation environment will be jointly developed between the involved companies to ensure the consistency between demonstrators.
The next step in the FCAS programme will be the onboarding of Spain and the involvement of additional suppliers from Phase 1B onwards, which will succeed Phase 1A after its successful conclusion.
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