The contract, signed by aerospace company and core partner BAE Systems, officially marks the start of the programme’s concept and assessment phase.
According to its developers, continued funding of Tempest underlines the government’s confidence in the progress and maturity of the programme, which will deliver the military, industrial and economic requirements of the nation’s combat air strategy.
“Today marks a momentous step in the next phase of our future combat air system (FCAS), with a multi-million-pound investment that draws on the knowledge and skills of our UK industry experts,” said Ben Wallace, the UK’s secretary of state for defence. “Boosting our already world-leading air industry, the contract will sustain thousands of jobs across the UK and will ensure that the UK remains at the top table in combat air.”
The programme is being delivered by Team Tempest which will combine the expertise of the MoD, BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK, and...