Global Combat Air Program Builds Momentum

A joint initiative between Italy, Japan, and the UK, the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) is developing a sixth-generation fighter to answer the future airpower needs of the three partner nations and attract export orders. GCAP has made significant progress over the last year, with consortia formed and technology demonstrators in build or modification.

Today’s GCAP has its roots in the future fighter programs of Japan and the UK. Japan initiated the Mitsubishi F-X program to develop its own stealth fighter jet after it failed to acquire the Lockheed Martin F-22 due to U.S. trade restrictions. A desire to create an indigenous stealthy fighter led to Mitsubishi flying the X-2 Shinshin demonstrator, while the IHI Corporation worked on advanced engines.

In the UK, the Tempest program launched in 2015 with BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, and Rolls-Royce as key industrial participants. Sweden joined the UK’s wider Future Combat Air System (FCAS) effort in July 2019, while on September 10 that year, Italy announced it would become a full partner in the Tempest fighter itself.

A mutual desire for cost- and technology-sharing, as well as a common alignment of projected in-service dates and broad requirements, naturally brought the F-X and Tempest programs closer together. Bilateral engine testbed and advanced fighter radar demonstrator developments were agreed upon in December 2021 and February 2022, respectively. Consequently, it came as no surprise that the three nations announced a joint development and deployment program—GCAP—for a common fighter in December 2022.

GCAP launched in September 2023 under a trilateral collaboration agreement, which was formally ratified in December 2023. The GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO), which would oversee development, was also established, with Masami Oka appointed as chief executive. 

A year later, the three principal industrial partners—BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. (JAIEC)—formed a joint venture that would be responsible for program delivery throughout the aircraft’s service life. Formally named Edgewing in June 2025, the joint venture is headquartered in Reading, England. BAE Systems’ Herman Claesen assumed the role of company chair, with former Leonardo executive Marco Zoff serving as CEO.

Two further consortia have been formed and were officially announced in September, covering engine development by Rolls-Royce (UK), Avio Aero (Italy), and IHI (Japan), as well as electronics/sensor development by Mitsubishi Electric, Leonardo UK, Leonardo Italy, and ELT Group. The latter is known as GCAP Electronics Evolution (G2E). 

Technology Demonstrators Take Shape

In the meantime, several technology demonstrator programs are underway, notably those in the UK that were initially funded under the Tempest program and are now working toward GCAP solutions. The most high-profile is the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator (CAFD), which incorporates many of the features expected to figure into the final GCAP design.

These include a low-observable airframe with a wide fuselage to accommodate internal weapon bays, large cropped-delta wings, and twin outward-canted fins. To reduce costs, the CAFD will also use adapted components from existing aircraft—such as the Typhoon’s Martin-Baker Mk 16A ejection seat and Eurojet EJ200 engines—while aircrew will wear standard Typhoon flying equipment. The landing gear is adapted from that of the Panavia Tornado multirole combat aircraft.

BAE Systems said in mid-2025 that two-thirds of the aircraft by weight was under construction and is on course to be ready to fly by the end of 2027.

There are other flying demonstrators and testbeds planned for the GCAP. The primary avionics trials platform is the Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft, a former Boeing 757 airliner modified and operated by Leonardo UK and 2Excel. This was also funded under the Tempest program. Excalibur has side and fuselage pods to house elements of the aircraft’s communications, defensive, and sensor systems, and it is expected to gain a fighter-style radome for radar trials.

Italy and Japan will also produce testbeds, primarily for electronics testing. Italy is modifying a Gulfstream business jet, while Japan’s Mitsubishi is likely to convert a Kawasaki C-2 transport for GCAP testing.

Although additional partners have been courted, the main development pathways have been established and agreed upon between the three partner nations, although there may still be room for others to join in lesser roles. Former Tempest partner Sweden continues to monitor the program, although it has yet to define any clear strategy for its future airpower. Australia is also a keen observer, as is Saudi Arabia.