The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) has taken a significant step forward with the award of its first joint international contract to Edgewing, a collaborative venture involving industry leaders from the UK, Italy, and Japan. The contract focuses on initial design and engineering work for a next-generation combat aircraft expected to enter service by 2035. The program emphasizes a “system of systems” approach, integrating manned and unmanned platforms across multiple operational domains. Advanced digital architecture, AI-driven decision-making, and secure data-sharing networks are central to the aircraft’s design. GCAP also promotes long-term industrial collaboration, involving a wide range of stakeholders, including research institutions and small enterprises.
