The United Kingdom plan to work closely with U.S. manufacturing industry in its stride to develop its next generation ‘Tempest fighter jet’ concept.
UK Defence Secretary, Gavin Williamson took pride that UK has a great tradition of making best fighters in the world as well as tradition of guarding it sovereignty . He welcomed international partners in aircraft manufacturing to come on board.
The Defense Secretary announced the Tempest concept in mid-July (2018) at the UK Farnborough International Airshow. The Tempest team currently comprises of BAE Systems, Leonardo, MBDA, and Rolls-Royce.
The United Kingdom want the Tempest business to be done away with by the end of this year, final investment decision sealed by 2025 and the Tempest fighter jet flying by 2035.
The United State is home of the leading fighter jet makers; Lockheed Martin and Boeing.
Currently, Lockheed Martin is at an advanced stage of developing the fifth-generation F-35 Lightning II Joint Strike Fighter (JSF). It has developed the fifth-generation F-22 Raptor, and supports the F-16 Fighting Falcon. On the other hand Boeing supports the F-15 Eagle.
The United Kingdom is a partner on the F-35 programme with Lockheed Martin.
The Tempest fighter jet concept has already attracted international interest. For example, Japan has already approached the United Kingdom about participating, exchanging opinions and chart possibility of the two nations taking on a joint air combat project.
Japan is about to retire its Air Self-Defense Force’s (JASDF’s), Mitsubishi F-2 fighters.
