The GCAP Electronics Evolution (G2E) consortium has received an 18-month contract from Edgewing to further develop integrated sensing and communications systems for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) fighter aircraft.
The contract covers the development of the Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects & Integrated Communications Systems (ISANKE & ICS), which will combine sensing and communications functions within the GCAP aircraft.
Edgewing, a joint venture between Leonardo, Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. (JAIEC) and BAE Systems, is responsible for the design and development of the GCAP fighter. The contract follows an agreement between Edgewing and the GCAP Agency, which manages the programme on behalf of Italy, Japan and the UK.
G2E comprises ELT Group, Leonardo, Mitsubishi Electric and Leonardo UK. The consortium was established to provide the GCAP programme with integrated electronics capabilities across the three participating countries.
ISANKE & ICS is being designed into the aircraft architecture to collect and combine data from multiple sensors and systems. The integrated approach is intended to provide pilots with information from the aircraft’s sensing and communications systems during operations in complex airspace.
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Andrew Howard, Interim General Manager of the G2E Consortium, said: “This contract reflects the progress we have made to transform from national companies to a single international entity. We stand ready to deliver the next critical period in the ongoing development of the programme.”
The 18-month development contract adds to the ongoing work on GCAP’s avionics and mission systems as the programme progresses toward development of the next-generation fighter aircraft.
