Aircraft
Europe On Course for Two Future Combat Programs
While many see a single European FCAS program being the best way forward, national ambitions are suggesting that this will not happen any time soon.
Development of two future combat air systems in Europe—the Tempest (illustrated) and SCAF/FCAS—now seems assured in the short term, but long-term success appears more achievable with further investment from additional international partners. (Photo: BAE Systems)
Development of two future combat air systems in Europe—the Tempest (illustrated) and SCAF/FCAS—now seems assured in the short term, but long-term success appears more achievable with further investment from additional international partners. (Photo: BAE Systems)

Since the UK announced in July 2018 its Tempest future combat air system (FCAS), which followed the launch of the Franco-German Système de Combat Aérien Futur (SCAF or FCAS) weeks before, speculation about whether Europe can afford two programs of such magnitude has led, in turn, to repeated calls for the two projects to merge.