Air Combat Flying Demonstrator concept — The aircraft, known as the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator, is under construction in Lancashire (Picture: RAF)

RAF

First British-designed combat jet in 40 years taking shape as simulator flights underway

The UK is building its first crewed combat aircraft in four decades, with two-thirds of the prototype's structure now in production and test pilots already flying it in simulation.

The aircraft, known as the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator, is under construction in Lancashire, with BAE Systems saying two-thirds of its structural weight is now in manufacturing.

It's being developed to trial technologies for the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), a joint project with Japan and Italy to deliver a new frontline fighter by 2035.

In aviation terms, a demonstrator is a fully piloted prototype, built to test new technologies in real flight.

It won't enter service, but will help engineers refine the design of a future operational jet, and is designed to test features such as stealth compatibility, advanced controls and digital production methods.

Tempest flight simulator — Two-thirds of a new fighter jet prototype is now in production, with first planned flight within three years (Picture: BAE)

BAE Systems says it's using techniques including 3D printing, 'cobotics' and model-based systems engineering.

RAF and industry test pilots have already flown more than 300 hours in a simulator built for the project.

Engineers are using the data to assess the aircraft's handling and flight systems ahead of its first flight, expected within three years.

Tony Godbold, BAE Systems' Future Combat Air Systems Delivery Director, said the programme is aimed at building "the technical foundations, workforce readiness and digital maturity" needed to deliver GCAP.

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The UK's last homegrown crewed combat demonstrator – the Experimental Aircraft Programme (EAP) – flew in 1986 and led to the development of the Eurofighter Typhoon.

Richard Berthon, Director Future Combat Air at the Ministry of Defence, said manufacturing is "continuing at pace", and that the aircraft is "providing invaluable lessons on future combat air delivery".

The demonstrator is not expected to enter service but will be used to support the design and build of the sixth-gen Tempest stealth fighter.