Japan and the United Kingdom have decided to collaborate on next-generation fighter jets, pooling their technology and resources to get the greatest bang for their dollars. Japan’s F-X program and the United Kingdom’s Tempest, both of which are scheduled to fly in the early 2030s, will be the world’s first sixth-generation fighters.
So far that co-development includes jet engine and sensors for next-generation fighters.
The British Ministry of Defense announced the partnership last year. The United Kingdom is investing the equivalent of $40 million, in the joint jet engine effort. The United Kingdom has targeted that figure pending digital designs, manufacturing innovation development, and planning. A further $267 million equivalent will go toward development of a prototype.
