Edgewing has tapped the GCAP Electronics Evolution (G2E) consortium to advance the sensing and communications systems of the sixth-generation fighter being developed by Italy, Japan, and the UK.
G2E comprises Italy’s ELT Group and Leonardo, Mitsubishi Electric of Japan, and Leonardo UK.
The work will focus on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) aircraft’s Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects & Integrated Communications Systems.
GCAP is being designed around these systems to combine data from multiple sensors and other sources and give pilots a more complete picture of the battlespace.
G2E Consortium interim general manager Andrew Howard said the contract reflects the progress it has made to “transform from national companies to a single international entity.”
“We stand ready to deliver the next critical period in the ongoing development of the program,” he said.
GCAP Moves Into Deeper Development
The latest contract comes as GCAP moves further into joint development after Italy, Japan, and the UK agreed to combine their separate next-generation fighter efforts.
Launched in 2022, the program aims to replace the Royal Air Force and Italian Air Force’s Eurofighter Typhoons, along with Japan’s aging Mitsubishi F-2 multirole fighters.
In July, Edgewing secured a 4.6-billion-pound ($6.2-billion) contract to advance development of the GCAP fighter. The 18-month contract covers the advanced concept and assessment phase, along with further detailed design and development.
Earlier, in April, the GCAP Agency awarded Edgewing its first joint international contract, worth 686 million pounds ($925 million), for initial design and engineering work.