Photo courtesy of LeonardoEdgewing, a joint venture bringing together ‘international aerospace leaders’
BAE Systems (UK),
Leonardo (Italy) and
Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co Ltd (Japan), will be accountable for the design and development of the next-generation combat aircraft; it will also remain the design authority for the life of the product, which is expected to go out beyond 2070.
The newly formed entity will play a central role in achieving the programme’s goals, which include the in-service date of 2035, while setting ‘a new benchmark for trilateral industrial partnership across Europe and Asia’.
Marco Zoff, formerly the managing director of Leonardo Aircraft Division, who will be the first CEO of Edgewing, said: “We are incredibly excited to launch Edgewing at the heart of the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). By harnessing the strengths of our people in the UK, Italy, and Japan, we are not only delivering the next-generation combat air system but aiming to set a new global standard for partnership, innovation and trust. Together, we will push boundaries, embrace agility, enhance our national supply chains and create a legacy of security and prosperity for our nations and future generations.”
Masami Oka, chief executive of the GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO) said: “We welcome the launch of Edgewing, which represents an important step forward in what will be a truly international joint development programme. Effective and empowered collaboration between the GIGO and Edgewing will be critical for the success of GCAP. I am confident that together we can establish a new model of partnership that will promote international integration, mutual trust and a shared commitment to our future.”
Edgewing will have operations and joint teams working in each of the partner nations and will be headquartered in the UK.