The Tempest, a sixth-generation fighter jet, is taking shape in a hangar in Samlesbury, Lancashire, with its nose, fuselage, and tail being put together by BAE Systems. The aircraft is part of the Global Combat Air Programme, a collaboration between the UK, Japan, and Italy, and is expected to enter service in 2035.
The project has received significant funding from the UK government, with £8.6 billion committed over four years. This investment is part of the Government Defence Investment Plan, which aims to modernize the country’s defense capabilities.
Development Progress
About 4,500 people are working on the Tempest project across the UK, and the aircraft’s progress will be a focus of attention at the Farnborough Air Show. The show, which starts tomorrow, will attract over 100,000 visitors and feature more than 1,600 organizations.
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The Tempest’s development is ongoing, with the demonstrator aircraft expected to take to the skies by the end of 2027. The aircraft will be transported to nearby Warton, where the wings will be added, before undergoing flight tests.
Government Support
While the Tempest project has received significant government support, the new Prime Minister, Andy Burnham, is unlikely to attend the Farnborough Air Show. This makes him the first premier to miss the event since the Second World War.
Burnham’s predecessor, Keir Starmer, used the last air show to stress the importance of the Tempest project, and former Prime Minister Boris Johnson expressed his enthusiasm for the project in 2022. However, Burnham will have to address the £5 billion funding gap left by Starmer, which will be a significant challenge for the new government.
Senior Cabinet ministers are expected to attend the air show, but Burnham’s non-appearance has led to the cancellation of the opening ceremony. Kevin Craven, boss of ADS, the aerospace and defence industry body, said that the new PM will have pressing priorities to address in his first days in office.
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Industry Expectations
The Farnborough Air Show will feature exhibits from major manufacturers, as well as smaller companies and startups. With the Tempest project at the forefront of the show, attendees will be eager to learn more about the aircraft’s development and the opportunities it presents for the industry.
As the Tempest project continues to take shape, it will be compared to other sixth-generation fighter jet programs, such as the F-35 Lightning II. The Global Combat Air Programme is a significant undertaking, and its success will depend on the collaboration and cooperation of the partner countries.
BAE Systems is leading the development of the Tempest. The company is working with other partners to develop the aircraft. The project is expected to create new jobs and opportunities for the industry.
