Future Combat Air System (FCAS)

Airbus has begun work on a next-generation aircraft to enter service in 2035, opting for a novel architecture that may enable use of open-rotor engines.

Eric Beranger talks to Aviation Week about how the company is adapting to customer demands for more stocks and nimbler development cycles.

Spanish companies are playing leading roles in developing the sixth-gen Future Combat Air System sensor suite, low-observability features and remote carriers.

Across France, Germany and Spain, engineers from 15 companies and consortia are working on the sixth-generation Future Combat Air System.

Michael Schoellhorn talks with Aviation Week about the rapidly changing face of Europe’s security requirements.

Spain is planning to raise national defense spending steadily to 2% of GDP by the end of the decade, enabling expenditures on a range of new equipment.

The French Air Force has welcomed the launch of Phase 1B of the European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program, which will replace its Dassault Rafale fleet.

The £656 million ($822 million) contract was awarded to BAE Systems on April 14.

Airbus believes the technology will pave the way for refueling of the UAS and collaborative combat aircraft being developed for FCAS.

Saudi Arabia and the UK have signed an agreement for closer collaboration concerning future combat aircraft.

As current fourth and fifth-generation fighters evolve and find new customers, attention is turning to next-generation efforts.