GCAP stealth fighter project aims for 2035 deployment

The United Kingdom, Japan, and Italy are collaborating on the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP), an ambitious project to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet by 2035.

Technical specifications indicate the aircraft will feature advanced capabilities, including the ability to control autonomous wingmen and an internal munitions capacity twice that of the F-35. To ensure operational viability in the Pacific, Japan has emphasized the need for a flight range that meets or exceeds that of the F-15J to address perceived limitations of the F-35.

The propulsion system is being developed by the Edgewing consortium, a partnership between IHI Corporation, Avio Aero, and Rolls-Royce. The group has already achieved milestones such as successful combustion chamber design tests. If development continues on schedule, these engines are expected to be finalized by 2028. While the project represents a significant leap in military technology, officials have noted the substantial financial risks involved in moving directly to sixth-generation capabilities.