“Revolutionizing Air Combat: GCAP Electronics Evolution Consortium Unites to Innovate Sensing and Communication for Next-Gen Fighters”
The defense electronics sector leaders from Japan, the UK, and Italy have established a consortium, preparing the associates to initiate the design and development stage of the integrated sensing and communications element of the GCAP, the Global Combat Air Programme.
The firms: Mitsubishi Electric representing Japan, Leonardo UK for the UK, and both Leonardo and ELT Group for Italy, initially disclosed the signing of a collaboration contract at DSEI Japan in March 2023 and, after thorough trilateral efforts, finalized a consortium agreement this August. The creation of a consortium formalizes that collaboration as a commercial framework, signifying significant advancement at an industrial scale and strengthening the partners’ long-term dedication to GCAP.
The consortium, titled GCAP Electronics Evolution (G2E), is being established in preparation to receive a contract from Edgewing, the business joint venture among BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan), serving as the principal systems integrators for the GCAP combat aircraft.
The four enterprises will collaborate to provide the advanced sensing and communication system for the next generation combat aircraft, referred to as Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects & Integrated Communications Systems (ISANKE & ICS), as well as the system’s extensive Through-Life Support Service (TLSS) across decades.
ISANKE & ICS is central to the GCAP initiative. The integration and utilization of the extensive data that will be accessible in the forthcoming operational context will be one of the main factors that will distinguish the GCAP core platform from earlier versions of combat aircraft.
The consortium is being structured to deliver in accordance with the ambitious timelines established by GCAP while ensuring accountability at every tier and supporting each nation’s autonomy and flexibility in modifications.
The leadership team for the consortium will be situated in Reading, UK, in proximity to the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO), representing the three national defense ministries, and Edgewing to guarantee the closest possible cooperation with these entities.
As a consortium, GCAP Electronics Evolution is dedicated to collaborating with all stakeholders to promote the shared security, economic, and skills objectives of the partnering nations. It will continue to utilize the expertise and resources of each involved country, through strengthening trilateral collaboration, to enhance security throughout Europe and the Asia-Pacific region for many years ahead.
