The BAE Tempest sixth generation fighter project was announced in 2018 with the target of it starting operations in 2035 for use by the Royal Air Force of the United Kingdom. But this project has undergone some changes with it now involving Italy, and Japan to reduce development costs and also combine the expertise of the three countries under the new Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) project.
BAE Systems has shared a new concept design for the Tempest that meets the military needs of the three countries involved. The Tempest now uses a larger delta wing design, a sharper front of the engine to reduce radar reflections and a straighter rear wing as previously shown.
GCAP combines the Tempest fighter project with the Japanese F-X fighter project. BAE Systems, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries and Leonardo will be the main contractors with the engine being developed by Rolls Royce and the weapon system being developed by MBDA.
As we have previously reported, the Rolls Royce engine used is capable of generating electricity not only for advanced electronic systems but also to support the needs of future high power laser weapons.
The aircraft cockpit will not have a traditional instrument panel but will be matched with an augmented reality helmet system for a more comprehensive information display and also the pilot can see through the body of the aircraft at the same time eliminating blind spots. The same helmet can read the pilot's brainwaves for control by just thinking. More interesting is that it may be equipped with a waterbang system that allows the Tempest to operate like a drone allowing it to operate in groups without a human pilot.