GCAP Electronics Evolution Secures First Contract For Sensing Suite

The Global Combat Air Programme's electronics consortium received its first contract to develop the future fighter's integrated sensing and communications suite. The work brings together specialists from the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan to mature a common architecture able to fuse radar, electronic-warfare, infrared and communications data into a coherent operational picture. This initial award funds definition and risk reduction rather than full-rate hardware production, making interface control, software integration and national workshare immediate priorities; subsequent phases must prove performance, affordability and upgradeability before the aircraft's planned service entry.