Fighter pilots of the future will operate in a different world. They’ll have more facts at their fingertips, more help from advanced processing, artificial intelligence, augmented reality and laser precision weaponry and drones – aided by algorithms that haven’t even been created yet. This is the UK’s Tempest combat air system, announced in 2018 and under development around the country.
As one programme partner puts it, a Tempest pilot will have the situational awareness of Iron Man on a mission – or Luke Skywalker’s faith in The Force as he flies into the Death Star.
Tempest is one of several sixth-generation fighter jets being developed around the world. In a multi-billion-pound project, a stealth airframe will incorporate a host of intertwined open-architecture technology, built to adapt to changing threats. Due to enter service around the mid 2030s, it could eventually fly uncrewed, but for now, there will be a human being on board – though the co...