The last iteration of the Tempest configuration had a Lamda wing, but was otherwise similar to the current Delta-winged design. One of the early Lamda-winged configurations was designated as the P.189-17B

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

The current Tempest configuration was first unveiled at the 2024 Farnborough International Airshow, not least via this full-scale model

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

Tempest stands in stark contrast to today's F-35-offering its operators real operational sovereignty and massive economic and industrial benefit. The rapid and agile iteration of genuinely sovereign mission data is expected to be a key differentiator

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

Thus far, the GCAP programme has enjoyed cross party support in the UK, and across the consortium who will build the aircraft. Senior figures have expressed strong support for the programme, even in advance of the UK's forthcoming Strategic Defence and Security Review. Here a computer-generated Tempest pays tribute to the Houses of Parliament!

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

Tempests in flight. The aircraft will offer unrivalled range and a much larger payload than other stealthy tactical combat air platforms in the process, giving the RAF sixth-generation air dominance for decades

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

The Tempest design has evolved, and the aircraft now bears little resemblance to the 'Pregnant Pelican' mock up unveiled at Farnborough in 2018, and subsequently exhibited at several air and trade shows

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

Episode 14 was a special edition of the Future Horizons podcast, joining forces with InsideAir, the official podcast of the Royal Air Force, to investigate just how FCAS will address the Royal Air Force's capability gap and what the aviators and engineers of the future can expect from this sixth generation capability

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

Gp Capt 'Bill' said that "the threat environment means that range has become a really big thing for all of us... We're building an aircraft that is going to have an awful lot of range. We're talking really extreme range, maybe getting across the Atlantic to America on internal fuel!"

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

Were it not a computer-generated image, the pilot of this Tempest could look forward to a stern ticking off for buzzing London landmark 'The Shard'! At least he's too high to repeat Al Pollock's 1968 sortie, during which the RAF pilot flew between the spans of Tower Bridge!

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