UK and France will develop a draft aircraft perspective FCAS
The list of countries involved in the creation of fifth-generation fighter aircraft has recently been supplemented by two states. Britain and France announced their intention to develop a joint project of a promising aircraft with the aim of equipping their air force. 5 November, the parties signed a number of documents that give a start to joint work. At the moment, six companies, three French and three British, will be attracted to the project.
The joint British-French project of the fifth generation fighter received the designation FCAS (Future Combat Air System - "Air Combat System of the Future"). The leading role in the project was given to the companies BAE Systems (Great Britain) and Dassault Aviation (France). They will be engaged in determining the basic requirements for a promising aircraft, developing a glider and a number of systems, and will also be responsible for coordinating all organizations and companies involved in the work. The various units and components of the FCAS aircraft will be created in the framework of international cooperation. So, Rolls-Royce and Safran / Snecma are responsible for the engines, and Selex ES and Thales will develop radio-electronic equipment.
November 5 companies attracted to the project FCAS, received orders totaling 120 million pounds sterling (about 190 million US dollars). In the foreseeable future, the cost of the preliminary work on the project should reach 20 million pounds. Six companies must join forces and carry out a series of preliminary work. By the end of 2016, the conglomerate headed by BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation should form requirements for a prospective fighter, as well as develop a preliminary draft. Serial production of new technology will begin no earlier than the end of the next decade.
According to reports, a promising FCAS fighter will be created taking into account the possibility of developing its unmanned modification. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in recent years are becoming more widespread and mastering new "professions". Thus, the interest of London and Paris in a multi-purpose drone, capable of performing various combat missions, is quite understandable.
During the signing of contracts for the development of the project FCAS were shown the alleged image of a promising machine. For obvious reasons, these drawings are not directly related to technology, the approximate appearance of which will be formed only by the end of 2016 of the year. Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that the drawn and real planes will at least resemble each other. For reasons not yet clear, the depicted aircraft is very similar to the American Northrop Grumman X-47B, which is currently being tested.
The images appear apparatus, built on the scheme of "flying wing". It has a center section of complex shape, combined with the fuselage. The front edge of the wing has a variable sweep: in the center section, this figure is higher than in rectangular consoles. On the upper surface of the wing-fuselage has a protruding air intake with an edge of complex shape. The engine / engines nozzle is located in the tail section of the center-section, above the wing. The rear edge of the wing is equipped with advanced mechanization with flaps and ailerons. In the lower surface of the wing chassis and cargo compartment hatches are noticeable. On consoles visible markings of France or the UK: the artist so picked up the color scheme of drawings that it is impossible to distinguish the signs.
The new British-French project is of great interest. These states have previously attempted to cooperate in the development of new weapons and equipment, although not all such projects have been successful. Now Great Britain and France intend to unite efforts in the creation of a promising aircraft that can replace the existing equipment in the troops. Successful completion of work is quite capable of significantly increasing the combat capabilities of the air forces of the two countries.
In addition to re-equipping their own air force, London and Paris may pursue some other goals. For example, the cooperation of two states may be due to their technical and economic capabilities. Dassault Aviation has extensive experience in the creation of combat aircraft, but it is unlikely that it will be able to independently implement the project of the fifth generation fighter due to its complexity and high cost. In addition, the financial capabilities of the French military department, which is unlikely to be able to pay for such an expensive project created in the interests of the Air Force, raise certain doubts.
The start of joint work with funding from the budget of the two countries should simplify the implementation of the project by reducing the costs of each of them. In addition, various companies involved in the project may have certain developments that are suitable for use in it. Thus, the joint development of the new FCAS aircraft should ensure both an acceptable program cost and the use of the latest ideas and technologies.
The economic side of the FCAS project may concern not only investments in its development, but also subsequent contracts. Despite the frequent failures in this matter, in recent years France and the United Kingdom have been trying to promote their newest aircraft on the international market. For example, the French company Dassault Aviation with its Rafale fighter recently won an Indian tender for the supply of 126 aircraft worth more than 10 billion US dollars. A firm contract for the supply of this technology has not yet been signed, but the French aircraft manufacturers have high hopes for it.
A promising FCAS aircraft will be ready for delivery to customers no earlier than the beginning or middle of the next decade. By this time, the aircraft Rafale or Eurofighter Typhoon, produced by Britain and France, will become obsolete and can no longer be a relevant product in the international market. In this case, the new FCAS will be able to replace them and provide their producers with additional income by attracting foreign customers.
The British-French project of a promising aircraft may indeed be of interest to the foreign military, but this can be hindered by the expected competition. Currently, several countries are developing their fifth generation fighter projects. For example, Japan has been building the Mitsubishi ATD-X for several years now, Indonesia and South Korea recently announced the development of a joint project IF-X Block I, and Russia and India intend to build an FGFA fighter aircraft, the basis for which will be the Russian T-50 project. Finally, we should not forget about Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. Although the F-22 is not offered for export, the F-35 can seriously compete with all the promising fifth-generation fighter since it has already passed most of the tests and is being mass-produced.
The exact prospects of the FCAS aircraft in the international market are not yet fully understood. The characteristics and cost of the majority of fifth-generation fighters currently being developed remain unknown, which is why even the most general forecasts cannot be made. Nevertheless, the global market for such equipment is estimated at 2-2,5 thousand cars, thanks to which the British-French development will be able to win back its market share and get a certain spread. Naturally, it is not yet possible to correctly predict the number and volume of orders for FCAS aircraft.
The FCAS project is being developed with the support of the governments of France and the UK. This means that you can already talk about at least two orders. New technology will have to replenish the air forces of the countries that initiated and financed its development. The number of new aircraft, for obvious reasons, will remain unknown for a long time. Over the next two years, six French and British companies, led by Dassault Aviation and BAE Systems, will have to carry out all the necessary research and determine the appearance of a promising aircraft. Thus, the first assumptions and conclusions that have any serious grounds for themselves can only be made at the end of the 2016 year.
On the materials of the sites:
http://flightglobal.com/
http://janes.com/
http://vz.ru/
http://telegraph.co.uk/
The joint British-French project of the fifth generation fighter received the designation FCAS (Future Combat Air System - "Air Combat System of the Future"). The leading role in the project was given to the companies BAE Systems (Great Britain) and Dassault Aviation (France). They will be engaged in determining the basic requirements for a promising aircraft, developing a glider and a number of systems, and will also be responsible for coordinating all organizations and companies involved in the work. The various units and components of the FCAS aircraft will be created in the framework of international cooperation. So, Rolls-Royce and Safran / Snecma are responsible for the engines, and Selex ES and Thales will develop radio-electronic equipment.
November 5 companies attracted to the project FCAS, received orders totaling 120 million pounds sterling (about 190 million US dollars). In the foreseeable future, the cost of the preliminary work on the project should reach 20 million pounds. Six companies must join forces and carry out a series of preliminary work. By the end of 2016, the conglomerate headed by BAE Systems and Dassault Aviation should form requirements for a prospective fighter, as well as develop a preliminary draft. Serial production of new technology will begin no earlier than the end of the next decade.
According to reports, a promising FCAS fighter will be created taking into account the possibility of developing its unmanned modification. Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) in recent years are becoming more widespread and mastering new "professions". Thus, the interest of London and Paris in a multi-purpose drone, capable of performing various combat missions, is quite understandable.
During the signing of contracts for the development of the project FCAS were shown the alleged image of a promising machine. For obvious reasons, these drawings are not directly related to technology, the approximate appearance of which will be formed only by the end of 2016 of the year. Nevertheless, it cannot be excluded that the drawn and real planes will at least resemble each other. For reasons not yet clear, the depicted aircraft is very similar to the American Northrop Grumman X-47B, which is currently being tested.
The images appear apparatus, built on the scheme of "flying wing". It has a center section of complex shape, combined with the fuselage. The front edge of the wing has a variable sweep: in the center section, this figure is higher than in rectangular consoles. On the upper surface of the wing-fuselage has a protruding air intake with an edge of complex shape. The engine / engines nozzle is located in the tail section of the center-section, above the wing. The rear edge of the wing is equipped with advanced mechanization with flaps and ailerons. In the lower surface of the wing chassis and cargo compartment hatches are noticeable. On consoles visible markings of France or the UK: the artist so picked up the color scheme of drawings that it is impossible to distinguish the signs.
The new British-French project is of great interest. These states have previously attempted to cooperate in the development of new weapons and equipment, although not all such projects have been successful. Now Great Britain and France intend to unite efforts in the creation of a promising aircraft that can replace the existing equipment in the troops. Successful completion of work is quite capable of significantly increasing the combat capabilities of the air forces of the two countries.
In addition to re-equipping their own air force, London and Paris may pursue some other goals. For example, the cooperation of two states may be due to their technical and economic capabilities. Dassault Aviation has extensive experience in the creation of combat aircraft, but it is unlikely that it will be able to independently implement the project of the fifth generation fighter due to its complexity and high cost. In addition, the financial capabilities of the French military department, which is unlikely to be able to pay for such an expensive project created in the interests of the Air Force, raise certain doubts.
The start of joint work with funding from the budget of the two countries should simplify the implementation of the project by reducing the costs of each of them. In addition, various companies involved in the project may have certain developments that are suitable for use in it. Thus, the joint development of the new FCAS aircraft should ensure both an acceptable program cost and the use of the latest ideas and technologies.
The economic side of the FCAS project may concern not only investments in its development, but also subsequent contracts. Despite the frequent failures in this matter, in recent years France and the United Kingdom have been trying to promote their newest aircraft on the international market. For example, the French company Dassault Aviation with its Rafale fighter recently won an Indian tender for the supply of 126 aircraft worth more than 10 billion US dollars. A firm contract for the supply of this technology has not yet been signed, but the French aircraft manufacturers have high hopes for it.
A promising FCAS aircraft will be ready for delivery to customers no earlier than the beginning or middle of the next decade. By this time, the aircraft Rafale or Eurofighter Typhoon, produced by Britain and France, will become obsolete and can no longer be a relevant product in the international market. In this case, the new FCAS will be able to replace them and provide their producers with additional income by attracting foreign customers.
The British-French project of a promising aircraft may indeed be of interest to the foreign military, but this can be hindered by the expected competition. Currently, several countries are developing their fifth generation fighter projects. For example, Japan has been building the Mitsubishi ATD-X for several years now, Indonesia and South Korea recently announced the development of a joint project IF-X Block I, and Russia and India intend to build an FGFA fighter aircraft, the basis for which will be the Russian T-50 project. Finally, we should not forget about Lockheed Martin's F-22 Raptor and F-35 Lightning II. Although the F-22 is not offered for export, the F-35 can seriously compete with all the promising fifth-generation fighter since it has already passed most of the tests and is being mass-produced.
The exact prospects of the FCAS aircraft in the international market are not yet fully understood. The characteristics and cost of the majority of fifth-generation fighters currently being developed remain unknown, which is why even the most general forecasts cannot be made. Nevertheless, the global market for such equipment is estimated at 2-2,5 thousand cars, thanks to which the British-French development will be able to win back its market share and get a certain spread. Naturally, it is not yet possible to correctly predict the number and volume of orders for FCAS aircraft.
The FCAS project is being developed with the support of the governments of France and the UK. This means that you can already talk about at least two orders. New technology will have to replenish the air forces of the countries that initiated and financed its development. The number of new aircraft, for obvious reasons, will remain unknown for a long time. Over the next two years, six French and British companies, led by Dassault Aviation and BAE Systems, will have to carry out all the necessary research and determine the appearance of a promising aircraft. Thus, the first assumptions and conclusions that have any serious grounds for themselves can only be made at the end of the 2016 year.
On the materials of the sites:
http://flightglobal.com/
http://janes.com/
http://vz.ru/
http://telegraph.co.uk/
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