The plan is to deploy the Tempest, which will be equipped with laser and hypersonic weapons and will be accompanied into battle by a team of semi-autonomous “wingmen” similar to drones – by the 2030s. Companies including BAE Systems and Rolls Royce, as well as the British arm of Italy’s Leonardo, plus and Sweden’s Saab, are taking on France, Germany and Spain, who have combined to develop the Future Combat Air System. Andrew Kennedy, strategic campaigns director at BAE Systems, told Express.co.uk: “We’re all hugely excited to be involved in Team Tempest.
“We want to make the Tempest as iconic as the Spitfire.
“This has the potential to be a revolutionary aircraft, a real game-changer.”
“The plan is to introduce this ‘sixth generation’ combat aircraft into service in the mid-2030s, in time to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon fleet, which presently provides a fully manned capability for a number of air forces.”
Speaking earlier this week, John Sneller, head of aviation at Jane’s by IHS Markit, told Express.co.uk described Tempest as “much more than just an aircraft”, adding: “It is a Future Combat Air System, covering manned and unmanned air vehicles working together.”
He added: “Saab from Sweden has recently joined the Tempest Club, bringing design and integration skills from their Gripen fighter stable.
When operational, the hyper-advanced Tempest will boast capabilities far beyond any jet ever built so far.
It will be able to flown unmanned, as will feature a fearsome range of weapons, including the aforementioned “wingmen”.
Last week defence minister Mark Lancaster announced a new recruitment drive for Team Tempest, with the number of people working on the programme set to more than double over the next two years.
The project already employs 1,000 people across UK industry, and the Ministry of Defence is planning to increase that number to more than 2,500 by 2021.
Team Tempest staff are planning to visit schools, colleges and universities as well as giving presentations at key Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) events across the UK.
The team will offer new resources for schools and colleges as well as launching on social media through Twitter and Instagram, @TeamTempestUK with the #GenerationTempest, to inspire the next generation to pursue STEM careers in the combat air sector.
Then-defence secretary Gavin Williamson unveiled Britain’s Combat Air Strategy, which is centred on the fighter jet and which marked the creation of Team Tempest, made up of BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, Leonardo and missile developer MBDA, at last year’s Farnborough Airshow.
He said: “We have been a world leader in the combat air sector for a century, with an enviable array of skills and technology, and this Strategy makes clear that we are determined to make sure it stays that way.
“It shows our allies that we are open to working together to protect the skies in an increasingly threatening future – and this concept model is just a glimpse into what the future could look like.
“British defence industry is a huge contributor to UK prosperity, creating thousands of jobs in a thriving advanced manufacturing sector, and generating a UK sovereign capability that is the best in the world.
“Today’s news leaves industry, our military, the country, and our allies in no doubt that the UK will be flying high in the combat air sector as we move into the next generation.”