BAE Systems PLC (LON:BAES) and Italian group Leonardo SpA (LON:0ONG) UK's arm are to collaborate on the development of a future combat air system demonstrator, which the British defence ministry plans to commission by 2027.
The two companies are already part of Team Tempest, an industry collaboration developing Britain's future fighter capabilities, with MBDA and Rolls-Royce Holdings PLC (LSE:LON:RR.) as partners.
Leonardo is responsible for developing and integrating Tempest's sensor package, while the Preston facility of BAE has reportedly begun developing the demonstrator platform.
As part of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme, Leonardo and BAE Systems are actively pursuing UK-Italy collaboration opportunities on the demonstrator aircraft, teh Italian firm said in a statement.
By using this approach, the companies of the two countries can identify areas of collaboration and begin a joint analysis of activities of shared interest.
In the same manner, Leonardo and Elettronica are working together on advanced sensors and systems.
Leonardo’s Italian and UK electronics businesses and Elettronica are to team up to support the technological development of the FCAS project, including demonstration activities related to future on-board electronics.
Under the FCAS programme, systems based on highly innovative and disruptive technologies are being developed with a 6th generation core platform and intended for the renewal of Eurofighter fleets.
BAe is also said to be close to agreeing to terms of a collaboration with Japanese from Mitsubishi that would see the two merge their next-generation Tempest and F-X fighter jet programmes.
Read more on Proactive Investors UK