The GCAP governing body has awarded its first multinational contract to Edgewing, a joint industrial entity created by Italy, the UK, and Japan to lead the development of a future combat aircraft. The £686 million ($908 million) contract focuses on early-stage design and engineering work, marking an important milestone in harmonizing industrial contributions across the partner countries.
Formed in 2024, Edgewing объединяет major defense players such as BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement, and is tasked with overseeing and advancing the program’s overall development strategy.
The Global Combat Air Programme seeks to field a next-generation fighter by 2035, built around a “system of systems” approach. This concept envisions tight integration between manned aircraft and uncrewed systems operating across multiple domains, supported by a robust digital backbone. Advanced networking, secure data sharing, artificial intelligence, and high-performance computing will enable synchronized operations and enhanced situational awareness.
In addition to delivering cutting-edge capabilities, the initiative is designed to foster sustained industrial cooperation, bringing together defense companies, academic institutions, research centers, and smaller enterprises to build a resilient and innovative aerospace ecosystem.
