Future of British Air Power: The Next-Gen Tempest

July 17, 2018

William Kucinski

The Tempest concept is a joint effort between BAE Systems, Leonardo, MBDA, and Rolls-Royce for the U.K. Royal Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office. It will employ a stealth design similar to current fifth-generation fighters, with an angular profile difficult to detect by radar. The design includes a helmet-mounted virtual cockpit environment. (Copyright © 2018 BAE Systems. All rights reserved)

Today marked the debut of the United Kingdom’s new, next-generation fighter jet concept model dubbed the “Tempest.” The unveiling was coordinated with the launch of the U.K.’s Combat Air Strategy by U.K. Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow .

According to the presentation, the future Tempest fighter will be a piloted aircraft that can alternatively be flown as an unmanned aircraft system (UAS) – commonly referred to as a drone. It will employ a stealth design similar to that of current fifth-generation fighters, with an angular profile difficult to detect by radar. The design includes a helmet-mounted virtual cockpit environment.

Initial reports also suggest that it will be the first British-designed jet to carry directed-energy weapons – or lasers – for defense against adversary aircraft and missiles.

The new fighter jet is being designed to leverage drone-swarming technology, integrate artificial intelligence deep-learning systems, and share sensor data with other aircraft and assets to coordinate operations – or cooperative engagement capability (CEC).

The Tempest concept is a joint effort between BAE Systems , Leonardo , MBDA , and Rolls-Royce for the U.K. Royal Air Force (RAF) Rapid Capabilities Office and combines the respective expertise – air combat systems and integration; sensors, electronics and avionics; weapon systems; and propulsion systems – of the four collaborating companies.

A specific challenge for engine-maker Rolls-Royce will be designing the variable cycle engine (VCE) for the Tempest, of which each aircraft will have two. The VCE, which Rolls-Royce has been researching and developing for nearly a decade, is designed to transition between subsonic, transonic, and supersonic flight modes with optimal efficiency. To manage the specific drag, thrust, and airflow characteristics of the engine during various speeds, the resultant Rolls-Royce VCE design for the Tempest may involve geometry-changing intake and exhaust ducting.

“The Combat Air Strategy will bring together the best of our people, industry and international partners to support the RAF lift-off into the next century of air power,” Chief of the Air Staff Air Chief Marshal Sir Stephen Hillier said at the event.

“Team Tempest demonstrates our commitment in ensuring that we continue to build our capabilities, draw upon our experience and history to bring forward a compelling vision for the next-generation fighter jet. In last 100 years, the RAF has led the way and today’s announcement is a clear demonstration of what lies ahead,” added Hillier.

The U.K. Ministry of Defence (MOD) will be investing approximately £2 billion (approximately $3.66 billion) in development of the Tempest by 2025, with a goal of delivering the first operational units in 2035.

The Tempest’s namesake, the Hawker Tempest – an iteration of the Hawker Typhoon – was introduced in 1944 and used by the RAF during WWII. As the fastest single-engine propeller-driven aircraft of the war (at low altitudes), it was the ideal aircraft for intercepting the feared V-1 flying bomb.

Similarly, the new Tempest fighter will ultimately replace the current Eurofighter Typhoon ; however, MOD officials indicate the Typhoon will remain funded and in service until at least 2040 and will serve as a technology driver for upgraded avionics, weapon systems, and radar that will eventually be incorporated into the Tempest. The first of these upgraded Typhoons has already been delivered to the RAF under BAE Systems’ Project Centurion effort.

According to Williamson, the U.K., while currently excluded from the recent Franco-German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) fighter program, was not against forming a Tempest partnership with other nations. (Leonardo is an Italian company.)

The FCAS is a potential replacement for the Typhoon and Dassault Rafale for the German and French Air Forces, respectively.

The Tempest concept model was unveiled by U.K. Defense Secretary Gavin Williamson on July 16 at the 2018 Farnborough International Airshow. (Photo credit: Michael Thompson, Director of Aerospace Products Group, SAE International)

In response, Airbus – key developer of the FCAS concept – made a surprise statement: “Airbus welcomes the U.K.'s commitment of funding for the future fighter project. We look forward to continuing collaborative discussions with all relevant European players.”

William Kucinski is content editor at SAE International, Aerospace Products Group in Warrendale, Pa. Previously, he worked as a writer at the NASA Safety Center in Cleveland, Ohio and was responsible for writing the agency’s System Failure Case Studies. His interests include literally anything that has to do with space, past and present military aircraft, and propulsion technology.

Contact him regarding any article or collaboration ideas by e-mail at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. .