View source for Future Combat Air System

{{short description|European sixth-generation jet fighter project}}
{{About|the French/German/Spanish air combat system|the previous British/French project|Future Combat Air System (UK)}}
{{expand language|date=December 2021|langcode=fr |otherarticle=Système de combat aérien du futur |langcode2=de |otherarticle2=Future Combat Air System |langcode3=es |ortherarticle3=Futuro Sistema Aéreo de Combate |langcode4=pl |otherarticle4=Future Combat Air System |topic=tech}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=January 2017}}
{{Use British English|date=January 2017}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Future Combat Air System<br/>Système de Combat Aérien du Futur<br/>Zukünftiges Luftkampfsystem<br/>Futuro Sistema Aéreo de Combate
| image = File:FCAS NGF mock-up at Paris Air Show 2019 (1).jpg
| caption = Mock-up of the NGF and a remote carrier at the 2019 [[Paris Air Show]]
| alt = 
| type = Combat [[system of systems]]
| national_origin = 
| manufacturer = {{plainlist|* [[Dassault Aviation]] (coordinator)
* [[Airbus Defence and Space|Airbus]] (coordinator)
* [[Indra Sistemas]] (coordinator)
}}
| first_flight = 
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| status = 
| primary_user = [[French Air and Space Force]]<br />[[Spanish Air and Space Force]]<br />[[German Air Force]]
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}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = New Generation Fighter
| image = File:SCAF - Le Bourget 2019.jpg
| caption = Mock-up of the NGF at the 2019 [[Paris Air Show]]
| type = [[Sixth-generation jet fighter]]
| national_origin = [[France]], [[Germany]], [[Spain]]
| manufacturer = 
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| first_flight = 
| mass production = 
| retired = 
| status = Project
| primary_user = 
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The '''Future Combat Air System''' ('''FCAS'''), ({{langx|fr|Système de Combat Aérien du Futur; SCAF}}; {{langx|de|Zukünftiges Luftkampfsystem}}; {{langx|es|Futuro Sistema Aéreo de Combate; FSAC}}) is a European combat [[system of systems]] under development by [[Dassault Aviation]], [[Airbus Defence and Space|Airbus]] and [[Indra Sistemas]]. The FCAS will consist of a Next-Generation Weapon System (NGWS) as well as other air assets in the future operational battlespace.<ref>{{cite web |last=Jennings |first=Gareth |date=15 November 2018 |title=Air superiority and nuclear deterrence dictate manned future fighter for France |url=https://www.janes.com/article/84623/air-superiority-and-nuclear-deterrence-dictate-manned-future-fighter-for-france |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181115171531/https://www.janes.com/article/84623/air-superiority-and-nuclear-deterrence-dictate-manned-future-fighter-for-france |archive-date=15 November 2018 |website=Janes}}</ref><ref name=":0">{{cite web |last=Pike |first=John |title=France + Germany - Next Generation Weapon System |url=https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/nextgenws.htm |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20221121135756/https://www.globalsecurity.org/military/world/europe/nextgenws.htm |archive-date=21 November 2022 |website=Global security}}</ref> The NGWS's components will be [[loyal wingman|remote carrier vehicles]] (swarming drones) as well as a New Generation Fighter (NGF)—a planned [[sixth-generation jet fighter]]<ref>{{Cite web |last=Roblin |first=Sebastien |date=5 February 2019 |title=Forget the F-22 or Su-57: Europe Wants a Deadly 6th Generation Stealth Fighter |url=https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/forget-f-22-or-su-57-europe-wants-deadly-6th-generation-stealth-fighter-43327 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230128040952/https://nationalinterest.org/blog/buzz/forget-f-22-or-su-57-europe-wants-deadly-6th-generation-stealth-fighter-43327 |archive-date=28 January 2023 |access-date=16 February 2019 |website=The National Interest}}</ref>{{Better source needed|date=October 2024}}—that will possibly supersede France's [[Dassault Rafale|Rafale]] and Germany and Spain's [[Eurofighter Typhoon|Typhoons]].<ref name=":0" /><ref>{{Cite web |last=Trevithick |first=Joseph |date=4 December 2018 |title=Eurofighter Consortium 2.0 Takes Shape As Spain Set To Join Franco-German Stealth Jet Program |url=http://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/25279/eurofighter-consortium-2-0-takes-shape-as-spain-set-to-join-franco-german-stealth-jet-program |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230603073632/https://www.thedrive.com/the-war-zone/25279/eurofighter-consortium-2-0-takes-shape-as-spain-set-to-join-franco-german-stealth-jet-program |archive-date=3 June 2023 |access-date=16 February 2019 |website=The Drive}}</ref>

A test flight of a demonstrator is expected around 2027 and entry into service around 2040.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Machi |first=Vivienne |date=2021-05-17 |title=New trinational deal paves way for FCAS demonstrator program |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/05/17/new-trinational-deal-paves-way-for-fcas-demonstrator-program/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20210524114640/https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2021/05/17/new-trinational-deal-paves-way-for-fcas-demonstrator-program/ |archive-date=2021-05-24 |access-date=2021-09-03 |website=Defense News |language=en}}</ref>

== Contractors ==
[[Dassault Aviation|Dassault]] will serve as prime contractor for the NGF, while [[Airbus Defence and Space|Airbus]] will lead the development of accompanying remote carrier vehicles and the broader system's supporting combat cloud.<ref>{{cite web |last=Hoyle |first=Craig |date=17 June 2019 |title=Dassault and Airbus unveil New Generation Fighter |url=https://www.flightglobal.com/news/articles/paris-dassault-and-airbus-unveil-new-generation-fig-459013/ |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220923155048/https://www.flightglobal.com/fixed-wing/paris-dassault-and-airbus-unveil-new-generation-fighter/133146.article |archive-date=23 September 2022 |access-date=25 June 2019 |website=FlightGlobal}}</ref> It will also be carrier-capable and will fly from the [[French Navy]]'s [[Future French aircraft carrier|future aircraft carrier]].<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.navyrecognition.com/index.php/news/naval-exhibitions/2018/euronaval-2018/6594-euronaval-2018-france-officially-launches-aircraft-carrier-renewal-program.html |title=Euronaval 2018: France Officially Launches Aircraft Carrier Renewal Program |work=Navy recognition}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Lake |first=Jon |date=12 November 2018 |title=Good and Bad News for Franco-German Fighter |url=https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-11-12/good-and-bad-news-franco-german-fighter |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20181113030027/https://www.ainonline.com/aviation-news/defense/2018-11-12/good-and-bad-news-franco-german-fighter |archive-date=13 November 2018 |work=Aviation International}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |last=Dubois |first=Thierry |date=2018-10-23 |title=Dassault Unveils 'New-Gen' Fighter mockup |url=http://aviationweek.com/defense/dassault-unveils-new-gen-fighter-mockup |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210201100210/https://aviationweek.com/defense-space/dassault-unveils-new-gen-fighter-mockup |archive-date=2021-02-01 |access-date=2018-11-21 |work=Aviation Week}}</ref> [[Safran Aircraft Engines]] will be the prime contractor for the next-generation fighter aircraft engine, taking the lead in engine design and integration, while [[MTU Aero Engines]], as the main partner for the first phase of research and technology, will take the lead in engine services.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Mackenzie |first=Christina |date=5 December 2019 |title=Safran and MTU agree on way ahead for next-gen fighter aircraft engine |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/12/05/safran-and-mtu-agree-on-way-ahead-for-next-gen-fighter-aircraft-engine/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://archive.today/20240108024554/https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/12/05/safran-and-mtu-agree-on-way-ahead-for-next-gen-fighter-aircraft-engine/ |archive-date=8 January 2024 |website=Defense News}}</ref>

Each country has designated a national industrial coordinator, [[Airbus]] for [[Germany]], [[Indra Sistemas|Indra]] for [[Spain]] and [[Dassault]] for [[France]].<ref>{{Cite web |last=Sprenger |first=Sebastian |date=2019-11-26 |title=Spain's Indra claims lead in EU electronic-warfare push for future aircraft |url=https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/11/26/spains-indra-claims-lead-in-eu-electronic-warfare-push-for-future-aircraft/ |archive-url=https://archive.today/20191126132659/https://www.defensenews.com/global/europe/2019/11/26/spains-indra-claims-lead-in-eu-electronic-warfare-push-for-future-aircraft/ |archive-date=2019-11-26 |access-date=2021-03-17 |website=Defense News |language=en-US}}</ref>

== History ==
The FCAS concept was developed in the frame of the European Technology Acquisition Programme (ETAP) that was started in 2001 as a co-operation between Germany, France, Great Britain, Italy, Sweden and Spain. The new FCAS concept was a [[System of Systems]] (SoS) approach combining manned and unmanned systems, combat aircraft and [[UCAV]], to be more efficient in the envisaged future scenarios than operating with manned systems alone.

In 2017 Germany and Spain asked [[Airbus]] to start working on a proposal for a new fighter under the name Future Combat Air System (FCAS).<ref>{{Cite web |date=7 July 2017 |title=Is The Proposed Airbus Fighter Jet A Non-starter? |url=https://www.defensemirror.com/news/19796/Is_The_Proposed_Airbus_Fighter_Jet_A_Non_starter_ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108024949/https://www.defensemirror.com/news/19796/Is_The_Proposed_Airbus_Fighter_Jet_A_Non_starter_ |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date= |website=Defense Mirror}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |last=Rettman |first=Andrew |date=12 June 2017 |title=EU states eye production of new fighter jet |url=https://euobserver.com/economic/138193 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231004133349/https://euobserver.com/green-economy/138193 |archive-date=4 October 2023 |access-date=17 March 2021 |website=[[EUobserver]] |language=en}}</ref>

At the 2018 [[ILA Berlin Air Show]], [[Dassault Aviation]] and [[Airbus]] announced an agreement to cooperate on the development of the FCAS.

In December 2018, the German Defence Ministry welcomed [[Spain]]'s expression of interest in the programme.<ref>{{cite web |last=Shalal |first=Andrea |last2=Binnie |first2=Isla |date=5 December 2018 |title=Germany, France to add Spain to fighter program: sources |url=https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-military-spain/germany-france-to-add-spain-to-fighter-program-sources-idUSKBN1O429R |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231025102611/https://www.reuters.com/article/us-europe-military-spain/germany-france-to-add-spain-to-fighter-program-sources-idUSKBN1O429R |archive-date=25 October 2023 |access-date=7 December 2018 |publisher=[[Reuters]]}}</ref>

In June 2019 Spain joined the programme.<ref>{{cite news |last=Calvo |first=Luis |date=17 June 2019 |title=La ministra de Defensa española ha firmado en el Salón de Le Bourget la incorporación al programa FCAS por parte española |url=https://fly-news.es/defensa-industria/espana-ya-oficialmente-pais-fcas/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230205213943/https://fly-news.es/industria/especial-paris-air-show-2019/espana-ya-oficialmente-pais-fcas/ |archive-date=5 February 2023 |access-date=17 June 2019 |publisher=fly-news.es |language=es-ES}}</ref>

In June 2023, Belgium became an observer to the FCAS programme.<ref>{{cite news |date=20 June 2023 |title=Belgium enters EU programme for 'next generation' fighter jets: sources |url=https://www.brusselstimes.com/562009/belgium-enters-eu-programme-for-next-generation-fighter-jets/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230623003228/https://www.brusselstimes.com/562009/belgium-enters-eu-programme-for-next-generation-fighter-jets |archive-date=23 June 2023 |access-date=21 June 2023 |publisher=The Brussels Times with Belga}}</ref> The country was set to join the programme by June 2025.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Martin |first=Tim |date=2023-11-27 |title=Belgium to join Europe’s FCAS next-gen fighter program in June 2025 |url=https://breakingdefense.sites.breakingmedia.com/2023/11/belgium-to-join-europes-fcas-program-in-june-2025/ |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231217233820/https://breakingdefense.com/2023/11/belgium-to-join-europes-fcas-program-in-june-2025/ |archive-date=17 December 2023 |access-date=2023-11-27 |website=Breaking Defense |language=en-US}}</ref>

{{Gallery
 |title=Illustrations of the New Generation Fighter
 |align=center
 |File:Scaf-test.stl|Interactive 3D model of the FCAS mockup shown at the 2019 Paris Air Show
 |File:SCAF-Dassault livery-E28e3YtX0AI6f7u.jpeg|Livery similar to the illustrations published by Dassault in early 2021
 |File:SCAF NGF-523616-P-BEF36-987.jpg|Artist's illustration of the aircraft in flight, after the project as of 2022
}}

In December 2019 [[Safran]] and [[MTU Aero Engines]] agreed on the foundation of a 50/50 joint venture that will be incorporated by the end of 2021 to manage the development, production, and the after-sales support activities of the new engine to power the NGF.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Jennings |first=Gareth |date=3 December 2019 |title=Safran, MTU agree framework for future fighter engine |url=https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/safran-mtu-agree-framework-for-future-fighter-engine |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108025800/https://www.janes.com/defence-news/news-detail/safran-mtu-agree-framework-for-future-fighter-engine |archive-date=8 January 2024 |access-date=28 April 2020 |website=Janes}}</ref>

On 12 February 2020, the first phase (1A) of the research and development program was approved by the German parliament budget committee. It set up the industrial distribution of the first five subprograms.<ref>{{Cite news |last=Charpentreau |first=Clement |date=2020-02-13 |title=European fighter jet demonstrator receives German greenlight |url=https://www.aerotime.aero/24554-european-fighter-jet-demonstrator-receives-german-greenlight |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20230610191205/https://www.aerotime.aero/articles/24554-european-fighter-jet-demonstrator-receives-german-greenlight |archive-date=2023-06-10 |access-date=2020-02-14 |work=AeroTime.aero |language=en-US}}</ref>

== Development ==
=== Initial demonstrator ===
==== Phase 1A - Initial framework contract ====
Dassault, Airbus, together with their partners MTU Aero Engines, Safran, MBDA and Thales, were awarded the initial framework contract which launches the demonstrator phase. Beginning February 2020 it is expected to cover a period of 18 months of research and development. While it assigned different roles to the above-mentioned companies, Spain was left out:<ref>{{Cite web |date=2020-02-20 |title=Spanish Indra justifies role in FCAS Project after Airbus' Opposition |url=https://www.defensemirror.com/news/26382/Spanish_Indra_justifies_role_in_FCAS_Project_after_Airbus__Opposition |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20240108030106/https://www.defensemirror.com/news/26382/Spanish_Indra_justifies_role_in_FCAS_Project_after_Airbus__Opposition |archive-date=2024-01-08 |access-date=2021-03-17 |website=Defense Mirror}}</ref>

* New Generation Fighter (NGF), with [[Dassault Aviation]] as prime contractor and [[Airbus]] as main partner
* Unmanned systems Remote Carrier (RC) with [[Airbus]] as prime contractor and [[MBDA]] as main partner
* Combat Cloud (CC) with [[Airbus]] as prime contractor and [[Thales Group|Thales]] as main partner
* Engine with [[Safran Aircraft Engines|Safran]] and [[MTU Aero Engines]] as main partner

==== Phase 1B ====
Additional suppliers will be involved.{{Citation needed|date=January 2025}}

== See also ==
* {{lwc|Chengdu J-36}}
* {{lwc|Shenyang J-50}}
* {{lwc|Boeing F-47}}
* {{lwc|F/A-XX program}}
* {{lwc|Global Combat Air Programme}}
* {{lwc|Mikoyan PAK DP}}

== References ==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{Official|https://www.airbus.com/en/products-services/defence/multi-domain-superiority/future-combat-air-system-fcas}}

{{Dassault aircraft}}
{{Airbus aircraft}}
{{Stealth aircraft}}

[[Category:Proposed aircraft of France]]
[[Category:Proposed aircraft of Germany]]
[[Category:Proposed military aircraft]]
[[Category:French fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Dassault aircraft|New Generation Fighter]]
[[Category:Airbus Defence and Space|New Generation Fighter]]
[[Category:Stealth aircraft]]
[[Category:Twinjets]]
[[Category:Tailless delta-wing aircraft]]
[[Category:France defense procurement]]
[[Category:Carrier-based aircraft]]
[[Category:Spanish fighter aircraft]]
[[Category:Sixth-generation jet fighters]]