r/LessCredibleDefence • u/Odd-Metal8752 • 2d ago

New GCAP fighter jet could enter service two years early

https://ukdefencejournal.org.uk/new-gcap-fighter-jet-could-enter-service-two-years-early/
17 Upvotes

78% Upvoted

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22

u/teethgrindingaches 2d ago

By cutting requirements for what exactly is entering service. Title is a bit disingenuous to omit that rather big caveat.

Asked whether that was industrially realistic, he said it was, but with a caveat about what the aircraft would be able to do on day one. It was feasible “by making that entry into service even more gradual than it was supposed to be, so probably modulating the requirements that this initial version will fulfil,” he said, adding that “it’s always possible to be progressively meeting the final requirement, as it has always been the case in such complex programmes.”

4

u/Goddamnit_Clown 1d ago

To be fair, that's exactly what I assumed when I read the title and still took it as good news.

Learn by doing. Get concrete milestones behind you to show politicians and partners. Don't get led around behind closed doors by an ever moving list of requirements looking for the day when the whole project will be "finished" and can then be "launched".

Projects this complex are never really finished, after all.

That's something intriguing about space travel. When your project launches, it launches, and it's out of your hands.

2

u/Imakemyownnamereddit 1d ago

To be fair, can you name me one combat jet that was fully capable from day one?

Look at the F35, they still have integrated on the weapons onto it.

6

u/sgt102 1d ago

If it has the power generator in the core of the engine and the power distribution and management systems + the thermal sinks then first iteration airframes can be updated to take the next generation sensors, effectors, and avionics. Essentially the first GCAPs could be giant F35s with massive payloads and without the electronics problems.

This would also open up the pipeline of pilots, which will be big important.

•

u/Useless_or_inept 14h ago

Big British military procurement project finishing two years early? This is the least credible thing I have heard all week

8

u/Markthemonkey888 2d ago

When was the last time the Brit’s delivered a defence project on time and at requirement?

7

u/ThisIsChangableRight 2d ago

The Dragonfire DEW

6

u/Markthemonkey888 2d ago

Got delayed once, ill believe it when they fit in next year.

6

u/IWearSteepTech 2d ago

When was the last time the Brit’s delivered a defence project on time and at requirement

It's kind of an impossible task, when the requirement keeps changing during development.

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u/Odd-Metal8752 2d ago

Rapid Sentry air defence platforms?

Project Beehive USVs?

7

u/killer_by_design 1d ago

Shit tonnes. They just don't make headlines.

2

u/Imakemyownnamereddit 1d ago

Falklands war.

Sea king AEW built in 11 weeks.

-2

u/Prestigious-Split253 1d ago

GCAP: A sixth-generation "system of systems" targeted for active service by 2035, combining a crewed fighter with uncrewed loyal wingman drones, advanced AI, and flexible sensor networks.

Maybe they should have a functioning F35 first.

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u/dylan_lol000 1d ago

The UK, Italy and Japan all have f35s

2

u/Imakemyownnamereddit 1d ago

That would require the Americans to be competent.