The Kratos has taken on much of the heavy lifting in the early development of the CCA concept. Here, a US Marine Corps XQ-58A Valkyrie conducts its first test flight alongside an F-16 aircraft assigned to the 96th Test Wing at Eglin Air Force Base on October 3, 2023

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: General Dynamics F-16A/C/E Fighting Falcon - СШАUSA - 1974Kratos XQ-58 Valkyrie - СШАUSA - 2019

The heavy reliance of the F-35 on US support, sustainment, and mission data has led some operators to reconsider their dependence on the aircraft moving forward

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Lockheed F-35A Lightning II - СШАUSA - 2006

The Boeing T-7A was the 'poster child' for modern 'digital engineering' and model-based design in the USAF. Boeing's determination to 'do things the old way' meant that the advantages of this approach were not fully leveraged, resulting in difficulties and delays for the program. Have lessons been learned for the F-47?

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Boeing/Saab T-7 Red Hawk - СШАUSA - 2016

The Concept Class 5 model was first unveiled at the 2022 Farnborough Air Show. Its sleek design contrasted with the P.189-17B 'Pregnant Pelican' full-scale replica, which had previously absorbed most of Team Tempest's public engagement efforts

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: BAE Systems Tempest - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 2026

The resemblance to the F-22 is striking in overall configuration, particularly around the intakes, although Concept 5 boasts a higher fineness ratio, lacks a horizontal stabiliser, and has larger tailfins

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: BAE Systems Tempest - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 2026

Japanese analyst BuchMaru, a former avionics engineer and game programmer, is committed to uncovering "the secrets of the next-generation fighter". As a talented CGI artist and model maker, he produced this exclusive artwork of BAE's Concept Class 5, showcasing the two most recently revealed Tempest/GCAP iterations

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: BAE Systems Tempest - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 2026BAE Systems, Leonardo, Mitsubishi GCAP - InternationalInternational - 2027

The Concept Class 5 aircraft was designed to operate with unmanned adjuncts and effectors, as well as legacy manned fighters, and to incorporate Leonardo's innovative ISANKE and ICS system

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: BAE Systems Tempest - ВеликобританияUnited Kingdom - 2026

The GA-ASI YQF-42 and Anduril YQF-44 are the 'increment one' USAF collaborative combat aircraft. They will be used to develop and test tactics, techniques and procedures (TTPs) for CCA operations

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: Anduril Fury / YFQ-44 - СШАUSA - 2025GA-ASI XQ-67A / Gambit - СШАUSA - 2024

The latest GCAP/Tempest concept features a large delta wing, likely designed to accommodate significant fuel capacity, while its fuselage is notably more voluminous than that of the sleek Concept 5 design. The latter could effectively complement the larger aircraft or serve as an alternative for specific export customers

Самолёты на фотографии: Aircrafts on the photo: BAE Systems, Leonardo, Mitsubishi GCAP - InternationalInternational - 2027