FCAS (Future Combat Air System)

FCAS (Future Combat Air System), also known by its French name SCAF (Système de Combat Aérien Futur), is a sixth-generation combat air system program jointly developed by France, Germany, and Spain. The program was formally launched in 2017 with a Joint Concept Study and has progressed through several phases of bilateral and trilateral agreements.

FCAS is not merely a fighter aircraft program but a 'system of systems' comprising multiple interconnected elements:

1. New Generation Fighter (NGF): A manned sixth-generation fighter aircraft that will serve as the core of the FCAS system. The NGF is expected to feature stealth, supercruise, advanced sensors, and the ability to command unmanned Remote Carriers. Dassault Aviation (France) leads the NGF design, with Airbus (Germany) as major partner.

2. Remote Carriers: Unmanned aircraft of various sizes that will fly with and support the NGF. These 'loyal wingmen' will carry sensors, weapons, and electronic warfare payloads, extending the NGF's reach and capability. Airbus leads the Remote Carrier work.

3. Combat Cloud: A networked command, control, and communication system that connects all FCAS elements and allied platforms. The Combat Cloud will use AI-driven data fusion to provide comprehensive battlespace awareness. Airbus and Dassault jointly lead this element.

4. Engine: A new generation fighter engine developed by Safran (France) and MTU Aero Engines (Germany) through their joint venture EUMET.

5. Support and Services: The broader support infrastructure including training, maintenance, and lifecycle support.

The industrial structure of FCAS reflects the Franco-German partnership at its core:

• Dassault Aviation (France) — NGF lead
• Airbus Defence and Space (Germany) — Remote Carriers lead, NGF partner
• Safran (France) / MTU (Germany) — Engine (EUMET joint venture)
• Indra (Spain) — Combat Cloud and systems integration
• Thales (France) — Sensors and systems

FCAS has faced challenges typical of large multinational defense programs, including disagreements over workshare, intellectual property, and export controls. France and Germany have different perspectives on exports—France has a more permissive approach, while Germany has stricter export controls that have complicated previous programs. These tensions have caused delays but have not derailed the program.

The program timeline envisions:

• 2027: Demonstrator phase begins
• 2030s: Flight testing
• 2040: Initial operational capability

FCAS is designed to replace the Eurofighter Typhoon (Germany, Spain) and Dassault Rafale (France) from the 2040s. The program is critical for maintaining European combat aircraft industrial capability and for providing a European alternative to US sixth-generation fighters (NGAD) and the UK/Italy/Japan GCAP program.

The relationship between FCAS and GCAP (the UK-Italy-Japan program) is complex. The two programs are competitors in the sense that they represent different European combat aircraft industrial groupings. However, there is potential for cooperation in specific areas, and the existence of two programs provides European nations with options and reduces single-point-of-failure risk.