the “vast majority” of the demonstrator was being manufactured outside Warton, in the wider supply chain across the UK. Wilde also noted that the demonstrator project was taking advantage of the latest manufacturing processes, including the use of hot isostatic pressing (HIP) technology. This takes Titanium powder and fuses it together using extreme heat and pressure to create complex shape parts that could not otherwise be manufactured as a single piece. In addition, traditional casting methods might require a four-year lead time, while HIP might take just six months.


As well as developing the skills, tools, processes and techniques that will be needed to develop the definitive GCAP Tempest aircraft, Wilde said that the demonstrator would be used to test, evaluate and demonstrate key elements of the next generation combat air design, pushing technology boundaries. The aircraft will incorporate a combination of supersonic and LO features.

The aircraft will incorporate some stealth compatible features and low observability shaping techniques, similar to those that are likely to be employed on the Tempest platform, thereby exercising BAE Systems’ LO design capabilities. Some of these stem from the company’s learning on the Taranis unmanned combat aerial vehicle (UCAV), which was regarded as having been “cutting edge on a global scale” according to a company representative. BAE Systems says that it has been testing a lot of shape and mould line styles that will help to inform LO design features for GCAP concepting.

タラニスは世界トップだったので
BAEはステルスに自信あります