Europe’s New Generation Fighter program is pressing ahead with leading partners Dassault and Airbus recently submitting their joint industrial proposal for the next phase of demonstrator development work through mid 2021. During the 2019 Paris Air Show, the program was further boosted by an agreement for Spain to join France and Germany as national partners. The new fighter is a major element in a new combat air system being developed to address Europe’s defense needs from around 2040.

The aircraft itself is the main manned element in the Future Air Combat System—referred to as SCAF in French—that also involves other major European partners such as Thales and MBDA. The system also will include unmanned air vehicles, new weapons and so-called remote carriers that will fly in combat formation with the fighter aircraft, carrying payloads such as electronic warfare, reconnaissance, and decoy systems. They will also be designed to carry and launch weapons on command from the fighter pilots.

Music: Wonder Cycle by Chris Zabriskie