The defence electronics industry champions representing Japan, the UK and Italy have formed a consortium, readying the partners to embark on the design and development phase of the integrated sensing and communications component of the GCAP, the Global Combat Air Programme. 

The companies: Mitsubishi Electric representing Japan, Leonardo UK representing the UK and both Leonardo and ELT Group representing Italy, originally announced the signing of a collaboration agreement at DSEI Japan in March 2023 and, following extensive trilateral work, signed a consortium agreement this August. The forming of a consortium formalises that collaboration as a commercial construct, representing substantial progress at an industrial level and reinforcing the partners’ long-term commitment to GCAP. 

The consortium, named GCAP Electronics Evolution (G2E), is standing up in readiness to accept a contract from Edgewing, the business joint venture between BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan), representing the lead systems integrators for the GCAP combat aircraft.  

The four companies will work together to deliver the next generation combat aircraft’s advanced sensing and communication system, known as Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects & Integrated Communications Systems (ISANKE & ICS), as well as the system’s decades-long Through-Life Support Service (TLSS). 

ISANKE & ICS is at the heart of the GCAP endeavour. The integration and exploitation of the vast amount of information that will be available in the future operational environment will be one of the key differences that will set the GCAP core platform apart from previous generations of combat aircraft.  

The consortium is being designed to deliver in line with the ambitious timescales set by GCAP while ensuring accountability at every level and supporting each country’s freedom of action and freedom of modification.  

The consortium leadership team will be based in Reading, UK, close to the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO), representing the three national ministries of defence, and Edgewing to ensure the closest possible collaboration with these organisations.  

As a consortium, GCAP Electronics Evolution is committed to working collaboratively with all stakeholders to advance the common security, economic and skills goals of the partner nations. It will continue to leverage the expertise and resources of each participating country, through deepening trilateral cooperation, to enhance security across Europe and Asia-Pacific for decades to come.