Delivering world-class next generation Combat Air capabilities was a talking point at the first major industry briefing from Team Tempest to ADS members held last month.
The Tempest future acquisition programme launched at the 2018 Farnborough International Air Show, and this recent event was a springboard for a series of discussions to develop the right capabilities and technologies to meet the demands of the programme.
Members heard from Government, the military and the Team Tempest partners and not surprisingly it was a full house. It confirmed that Team Tempest is actively engaging with UK industry across sectors right now and was particularly interested in those companies delivering excellence in the technological supply chain.
In this blog we summarise the relevant capabilities required for engaging with Team Tempest as highlighted in the industry briefing. The full presentation from the event can be viewed by ADS members in the Business Development Centre.
Programme delivery through collaboration
Tempest is a partnered co-funded element of the Future Combat Air System Technology Initiative (FCAS TI). Launched by the RAF Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) and UK industry partners, it has the remit of maximising technology exploitation and export opportunities through industry collaboration across four key areas:
- Advance Combat Air Systems and integration
- Advance power and propulsion systems
- Advance sensors, electronics and avionics
- Advance weapon system integration
With a budget £2bn+ over 9 years Team Tempest are looking to position the UK for a NextGen acquisition programme portfolio of activities jointly funded by MoD and industry.
How members can get involved
With world-leading capabilities, the UK is one of the very few countries internationally with the expertise and knowledge to deliver against the ambitions of the UK defence strategy. There will be international partners, but the UK is no stranger to partnering such as Jaguar, Tornado and Typhoon.
Timelines for the programme are already in place with an outline business case to be delivered in December 2020, a full business case in 2025 and initial operating capability in 2035.
Team Tempest Procurement Group is inviting companies with the relevant capabilities to register their interest in one or more of the following four workstreams, led as follows:
- Joint NextGen concepting & Integrated design activities – Led by Royal Air Force Rapid Capabilities Office and all 4 partner companies
- NextGen air vehicle technical activities – Led by BAE Systems & MDBA
- NextGen power and thermal – Led by Rolls Royce
- Advanced sensors & communications – Led by Leonardo
To be considered, members must commit to:
- Invest in the programme
- Work collaboratively
- Rapidly deploy UKIP
- Have affordability and upgradeability as key tenets of all solutions
- Be committed to winning in export markets
Defence Digitalisation
The increasing importance of digitalisation was highlighted in the briefing. Air Commodore Linc Taylor noted that future air combat will be in an increasingly complex and contested space and to succeed in this environment will require ‘rapid capabilities’ and ‘agile and adaptable software’. Air Marshall Mike Wigston also added that speed and smarter, synergistic use of data will be critical for decision making and success on the battlefield. Therefore, organisations with leading digital capabilities in any sector are of particular interest to the Tempest procurement Team.
Accessing business opportunities
We will continue to work with the Tempest Procurement Team to keep you up-to-date on the opportunities available. If you fulfill the requirements outlined above and wish to be considered for the Tempest programme, please email me for more information.
Our Business Development Centre is a central resource of programmes such as the Tempest programme.
Information is updated regularly and members are notified via our LinkedIn Members Group and the ADS Members Bulletin.
Simon Levy – Head of UK Defence Business Development, ADS
Interested in joining ADS? Contact us today.
