UK FCAS combat aircraft programme expands tech support with new contract
QinetiQ and its partners will provide engineering support for the FCAS enterprise, a major element of which is the Tempest sixth-generation fighter jet. (Image: UK MoD/Crown Copyright)
The UK MoD's Future Combat Air System (FCAS) enterprise has contracted QinetiQ and its industry partners to provide technical support for the programme over the next three years.
QinetiQ, along with fellow Aurora Partners companies Atkins and BMT, have received a £31 million ($36.8 million) contract to provide technical support to the UK MoD’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS) enterprise and the Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S) Catalyst delivery team.
FCAS is one of the major capabilities which the Catalyst Delivery Team has contracted and QinetiQ will provide engineering support initially focussing on human performance, safety and systems engineering through to August 2025.
Delivered through the Engineering Delivery Partner (EDP) framework, this work will be supported by Atkins and BMT along with a number of provider network organisations. It will also leverage requirements management knowledge provided by QinetiQ subsidiary Inzpire.
Robert Galvin, head of business development, air engineering services, QinetiQ said: 'This contract will put QinetiQ and our EDP partners in Aurora at the heart of key new combat air capabilities for the UK MoD in the years to come, and help DE&S bring the significant engineering capabilities of EDP and the wider provider network to support the FCAS programme.'
The contract win follows an initial FCAS contract delivered over the last two years. An FCAS Tempest sixth-generation fighter demonstrator is due to fly before the end of 2027, it was announced in July.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![South Korea: $16.64 billion in as-yet-unawarded contracts up for grabs in the air domain]()
South Korea: $16.64 billion in as-yet-unawarded contracts up for grabs in the air domain
South Korea’s military air market is the 12th largest in the world when it comes to unawarded procurement programmes, with an estimated US$7.50 billion potentially set to be awarded over the next decade.
-
![Boeing prepared to go fast on CxR uncrewed tiltrotor concept]()
Boeing prepared to go fast on CxR uncrewed tiltrotor concept
The Collaborative Transformational Rotorcraft is designed with the potential to meet a range of mission requirements, from reconnaissance, surveillance and target acquisition to contested logistics.
-
![Anduril’s YFQ-44A successfully completes first flight test]()
Anduril’s YFQ-44A successfully completes first flight test
The drone is the second prototype to take flight under the US Air Force’s Collaborative Combat Aircraft programme.
-
![Italy moves to procure third batch of 29 AW249 helicopters]()
Italy moves to procure third batch of 29 AW249 helicopters
The €1.22 billion (US$1.41 billion) follow-on order for the additional helicopters will complement the 19 AW249 already ordered by Italy.
