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| FCAS sixth generation fighter jet |
Militarymedia.net - The sixth generation fighter jet development program initiated by France and Germany and then followed by Spain, namely the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is facing obstacles related to the future of the cooperation of these three countries.
This is because, according to a press release issued by the French Senate Commission on Foreign Affairs, Defense and the Armed Forces last week, it can be said that this program is losing momentum, lifting power, and getting closer to stalling speed.
This statement was released after the French Senate Commission auditioned with Dassault Aviation CEO Eric Trappier, Airbus Head of Strategy, Mergers & Acquisitions and Public Affairs Antoine Bouvier, and Airbus Defense and Space CEO Dirk Hoke.
FCAS is one of two programs jointly initiated by France and Germany and is open to other European participants.
Another program is the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) which will replace main battle tanks (MBT) and other heavy armored vehicles in due course.
Germany leads the MGCS program with Krauss-Maffei Wegmann as project leader. This factory is already known to produce the most produced West European MBT, the Leopard 2 tank.
Meanwhile, France, through Dassault Aviation, is leading the FCAS project under the auspices of Airbus.
There was a lack of understanding between France and Germany
Information is circulating, there is a lack of understanding between France and Germany in the FCAS program in which France wants to add aviation capabilities to the Navy and the ability to carry nuclear weapons.
Commenting on this, the Chair of the French Senate Commission said that this cooperation should be returned to the spirit and principles agreed in 2017-2018.
The occurrence of "friction" between the two countries leading this big project, could potentially damage the cooperation that has been built.
To note, the FCAS program was launched to give birth to a sixth generation fighter jet which will be operated in 2040. The total cost of this program reaches 50-80 billion euros and is very heavy for one country to bear.
Will France eventually step down and build this project on its own? Something like this has happened in a joint project Eurofighter 2000 that gave birth to the Eurofighter Typhonn in the 1980s.
France eventually developed the Rafale fighter jet which is currently on the rise and is in demand by a number of countries.
Regarding the sixth generation fighter jet program, several countries are already working on it, including the Team Tempest project initiated by Britain in collaboration with Italy and assisted by Sweden.
America is aiming at minus five generation fighter jets
In contrast to other countries that are touting this project, the United States through the US Air Force (USAF) is even more inclined to develop a minus fifth generation fighter jet, aka the fourth plus generation fighter jet that accommodates technology in fifth and sixth generation fighter jets.
This was stated by the USAF Chief of Staff General Charles Q Brown Jr. which claims the USAF does not need too many advanced F-35 jets due to its very high operating and maintenance costs.
Responding to General Brown's wishes, now one of the designs offered to the USAF and the Pentagon has emerged, namely the F-36 Kingsnake.
Let's wait for the next development, whether this sixth generation fighter jet program will roll smoothly or be revised.
