Edgewing Wins £4.6 Billion Contract to Advance Trinational GCAP Fighter
The 18‑month award funds work to complete advanced concepts and move the programme toward a 2027 demonstrator, protecting skilled jobs across the UK, Italy and Japan.
Overview
- On Monday, the GCAP Agency awarded Edgewing an 18‑month, £4.6 billion contract to take the Global Combat Air Programme into its next design phase.
- The contract is tasked with completing advanced concept and assessment work and progressing joint detailed design to underpin forthcoming demonstrator activity.
- Edgewing is the trinational engineering prime led by BAE Systems, Leonardo and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. that serves as GCAP’s design authority.
- The award is jointly funded by the three partner governments and is supported in the UK by an £8.6 billion Defence Investment Plan allocation intended to sustain around 4,500 UK jobs and a 600‑strong supply chain.
- Technical work under the contract will focus on digital engineering, advanced sensors, AI and uncrewed teaming as the programme prepares for a flying demonstrator targeted by the end of 2027 and an in‑service aim around 2035.