One and done? (Opinion)
Europe’s two competing sixth-generation fighter programmes, FCAS and Tempest, could merge. (Photo: Tim Martin)
The future of Europe’s two sixth-generation fighter programmes seems uncertain as limits on resources suggests only one can succeed. However, while the decision remains unmade, industry continues to develop both.
The question of money has once again reared its ugly head with a rare and frank prediction from Gen Luca Goretti, Chief of Staff of the Italian Air Force, to an Italian defence committee on Europe’s two competing sixth-generation fighter programmes.
Goretti predicted the two programmes would merge as it would be ‘unthinkable’ for ‘huge financial resources’ to be poured into both the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) and Tempest.
The prediction breaks from the trend of senior figures involved in FCAS and Tempest sidestepping the issue of whether two European fighter efforts are sustainable. Even so, there are
Already have an account? Log in
Want to keep reading this article?
More from Air Warfare
-
![Germany acquires additional 20 H145M helicopters]()
Germany acquires additional 20 H145M helicopters
The order for the extra helicopters comes from an agreement penned in December 2023, with the German Army receiving the bulk of the platforms.
-
![Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace collaborate on British Army ACP bid]()
Anduril UK and GKN Aerospace collaborate on British Army ACP bid
The pair will submit their demonstrator concept for Project Nyx, a development project for the British Army’s Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform.
-
![US Army command’s Picatinny CLIK common lethal drone interface makes progress]()
US Army command’s Picatinny CLIK common lethal drone interface makes progress
The Picatinny Common Lethality Integration Kit is designed to overcome the issue of unique integration methods between lethal payloads and drones as well as avoiding problematic acquisition conditions created by vendor lock.
-
![Australia invests extra A$1.4 billion in MQ-28A Ghost Bat after successful missile fire test]()
Australia invests extra A$1.4 billion in MQ-28A Ghost Bat after successful missile fire test
The investment includes new contracts for six MQ-28A Ghost Bat aircraft, as well as provisional funds to invest in the development of a Block 3 prototype.
-
![US approves potential $4.7 billion missile and air defence system sales to Denmark and Italy]()
US approves potential $4.7 billion missile and air defence system sales to Denmark and Italy
Italy could field the JASSM-ER for its combat aircraft including the F-35, while Denmark has been approved for AMRAAM and an Integrated Battle Command system procurement.
-
![Northrop Grumman to fly new Project Talon CCA by late 2026]()
Northrop Grumman to fly new Project Talon CCA by late 2026
The newly unveiled collaborative combat aircraft looks to strike a balance between capability and cost-effectiveness, according to the company.
