BAE Systems Unveils Design of UK’s First Crewed Combat Jet in 40 Years Under Global Fighter Program

BAE Systems has revealed the design of the Combat Air Flying Demonstrator, marking a major step forward in the United Kingdom’s efforts to build its next-generation fighter jet. This cutting-edge aircraft is the first crewed combat plane developed in the UK in more than four decades and is being created as part of the UK-Italy-Japan Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP).

The new design was made public on July 17, 2025, showing the futuristic shape of what will eventually help lead the UK’s air combat capabilities into the future. The aircraft is now in advanced stages of production, with two-thirds of its structural weight already under manufacturing. It’s being built at BAE Systems' high-tech facilities in Lancashire, where the main fuselage, wings, and tail fins are coming together.

This demonstrator is more than just a prototype. It is a test platform for developing and validating key technologies that will be used in the full sixth-generation fighter under GCAP. Using digital tools like 3D printing, digital twins, cobotics, and model-based engineering, engineers are building the jet with modern efficiency and precision. These advanced methods are expected to reduce development time and improve performance.

So far, over 300 hours of virtual flight testing have been carried out by pilots from the Royal Air Force (RAF), BAE Systems, and Rolls-Royce, using the aircraft’s digital twin. This technology allows real-time data collection on how the aircraft performs during simulated missions, including high-speed and high-intensity maneuvers.

The program is about much more than just building a jet. It is helping revive the UK’s combat air sector, creating high-skill jobs, training future talent, and preparing British industry for the demands of tomorrow’s defense needs. The demonstrator plays a central role in shaping the future sixth-generation fighter, which will include features like:

• Stealth capability (low observability)

• Advanced sensors and radar systems

• Artificial intelligence for mission management

• New, more efficient engines, being developed by Rolls-Royce, using adaptive cycle and hybrid-electric technologies

• Weapons integration, with support from MBDA UK, focusing on future missiles and system-of-systems combat strategies

The Combat Air Flying Demonstrator also tests how future jets will work in teams with uncrewed drones, a concept at the heart of modern air combat.

For the UK, this demonstrator is not just about military technology—it is a strategic move. It ensures the country remains a leader in air defense innovation, protects sovereign industrial capability, and helps secure export deals through GCAP, especially with close allies Italy and Japan.

As the aircraft nears its first real-world flight, it stands as a symbol of progress. It shows how strong partnerships between government, industry, and allies can lead to breakthrough technologies that not only protect the skies but also drive economic growth and global influence.

The UK’s vision is clear: lead the future of air combat—not just with powerful aircraft, but with smarter ways to build, test, and fly them.