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States supports Japan’s security and defence space industry and was the first prototype stealth aircraft developed
cooperation with likeminded allies and partners, in the country. The ATD was designed for extremely high manoeu-
including with the United Kingdom and Italy – vrability and featured an integrated flight-propulsion control system.
two close partners of both of our countries – on Japan is likely to utilise many of the technologies developed on the
the development of its next fighter aircraft.” The ATD for a country specific version of the 6 gen fighter now under
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United States and Japan are bolstering their development. MHI had also been undertaking conceptual design
defence cooperation in a number of promising and other development-related work, on development of the future
areas, particularly in advancing opportunities fighter aircraft (F-X) since October 2020, when a contract was con-
for joint research, development, testing, and cluded with the Japanese ministry of defence (Japan MOD).
evaluation and have begun important col-
laboration through a series of discussions on Competing Programmes
autonomous systems capabilities, which could France and Germany announced their intention in July 2017, to jointly
complement Japan’s next fighter programme work on a future combat air system (FCAS) or Système Combat
among other platforms. Both sides have con- Aérien Futur (SCAF). Spain formally joined the programme in February
curred to start concrete cooperation in 2023
2019. In June, the same year, full-scale models of the next generation
fighter (NGF) and its ‘Remote Carriers’ were revealed at the 2019
The decision to partner with the UK and Italy on Paris Air Show. And the first contract notification was announced in
the global combat air programme will not only February 2019, with 65 million euros awarded to Dassault Aviation
result in Japan being able to induct a 6 gen and Airbus to determine the architecture and concept of the next
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fighter earlier than a U.S. developed alterna- generation weapon system (NGWS) project. The conceptual study
tive but will also allow it to upgrade its fighter was to have been completed by 2021.
aircraft manufacturing infrastructure. Japan
had been pursuing the development of its own The UK commenced its 6 gen combat aviation programme with
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5 gen fighter over the course of its advanced the creation of ‘Team Tempest’ at the 2018 Farnborough air show.
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technology demonstrator (ATD) programme, The GCAP will now build on the substantial progress already made
underway since 2009. Mitsubishi heavy indus- in the UK since 2018, by BAE Systems (advanced combat air systems
tries (MHI) was leading the effort in developing

© UK MOD
the aircraft’s airframe with cooperation from 220 and integration); Rolls-Royce (advanced power and propulsion sys-
Japanese domestic companies and guidance tems); Leonardo UK (Integrated sensors and non-kinetic effects &
from Japan’s Acquisition, Technology & Logistics integrated communications systems) and MBDA (advanced weapon
Agency (ATLA). systems) and the UK ministry of defence (UK MOD) to research, evalu-
ate and develop a host of next generation future combat air systems
The first “X-2”ATD made its maiden flight in April capabilities.
2016, when the technology demonstrator pro-
totype took off from Nagoya Airport, flew basic The UK, Italy and Japan are collaborating for the sixth generation
manoeuvres including climbing, descent and combat aircraft that will operate within a system of systems con-
circling, following which it landed at the JASDF’s, cept, through their national industry leads BAE Systems, Leonardo
Gifu Air Base. The experimental aircraft featured and MHI, who will collaborate in the development of technologies
some of the most advanced technologies that The three nations are now working intensively to establish the core
could be developed by Japan’s domestic aero- platform concept and set up the structures needed to launch the
12 | MARCH 2023 WWW.GBP.COM.SG/ADT