DE/FR/ESP: Future Combat Air System (FCAS)

[K.B.]

Defense-Aerospace mit einem Abgesang auf FCAS (von Francis Tusa):

Frankreich distanziert sich mit Wort und Tat deutlich vom gemeinsamen Programm mit Deutschland.

https://www.defense-aerospace.com/paris ... uffed-out/

In Auszügen:

"But you would have been crushed by the number of different Rafale models [at Le Bourget], including a collection of 1:5-scale ones in the paint schemes of every operator. It looked good!

Any mention of SCAF in Dassault’s press conference?

If there was, it was so brief that Defence Analysis’s sharp-eared correspondent missed it – as did everyone else.

And two weeks previously, despite no mention of it in the Loi de Programmation Militaire 2024–30, Sebastien Lecornu told the Senate that the programme for a loyal wingman family, based on work done to date for the Neuron UCAV, was now fully funded, and it would see deliveries from 2030, and whatever is developed, as well as “effectors”, smaller UAVs/loyal wingmen will also feature, too, in this Rafale World. But if these start to arrive around 2030, what does this mean for the loyal wingman/effectors for SCAF? Hang on, who’s responsibility is loyal wingmen in SCAF? Oh, it’s Germany/Airbus Defence and Space....

And then at Le Bourget, Dassault and Dassault Systèmes announced a new initiative to create a French sovereign Combat Cloud, just, you know, if anyone wanted one. And whose responsibility is the Combat Cloud for SCAF (checks notes)? Oh, it’s (Germany’s) Airbus Defence and Space!

By-the-way, Defence Analysis suspects that Thales will have looked at this announcement with a degree of concern ....

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Just prior to the start of Le Bourget, Onera, the French state-owned aerospace test/trials body unveiled its concept for a hypersonic fighter, named “Espadon”, or “Swordfish”.

So what? Well, Onera says that this could see service around 2040. So what? Well, even Dassault is saying that SCAF will only see service from 2040 – and Airbus is saying 2042 – so if there’s this all-singing hypersonic fighter that could arrive only two to three years after SCAF/NGF enters service, why are you even bothering with SCAF NGF?"

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Airbus Defence and Space GmbH

Ottobrunn

Jahresabschluss zum Geschäftsjahr vom 01.01.2022 bis zum 31.12.2022

Lagebericht für das Geschäftsjahr 2022

Die Programme Line Future Combat Air System (FCAS) beinhaltet das FCAS System und seine Systemfähigkeiten, was sich durch die Vernetzung verschiedener bereits bestehender sowie noch zu entwickelnder Plattformen, Komponenten als auch Anwendungen auszeichnet. Das FCAS-Programm wurde 2017 durch Deutschland und Frankreich initiiert; 2019 trat Spanien als drittes Partnerland dem Vorhaben bei. Ziel ist es, bis 2040 ein umfassendes "System-of-System" den Kunden zur Verfügung zu stellen, welches u.a. aus den folgenden Komponenten besteht: New Generation Fighter (NGF), Triebwerk, Remote Carriers (RC), Combat Cloud (CC), Sensorik sowie Low Observability (LO). Airbus DS verantwortet als deutscher nationaler Industrie Prime die Komponenten RC und CC. Darüber hinaus ist Airbus DS als Hauptpartner im NGF vertreten. Airbus DS SAU, Getafe, führt den Bereich LO. Mit der sogenannten "Joint Concept Study" (JCS) sowie der Demonstrator-Phase 1A wurden seit 2019 zwei tri-nationale Verträge umgesetzt und darüber hinaus wurde in 2022 die Demonstrator-Phase 1B von den beteiligten Nationen beauftragt. Ziel ist es, mit Abschluss der Demonstrator-Phase 1B/2 über flugfähige FCAS-Demonstratoren zu verfügen. FCAS operiert in enger Abstimmung mit den weiteren Programme Lines wie CI beim Thema CC und MAS bei den Themen RC und NGF.

Wesentliche Vorhaben im Rahmen der deutsch-französischen Rüstungskooperationen sind in 2022 einen deutlichen Schritt weitergekommen, insbesondere EuroDrone und FCAS. Kurz vor Jahresende 2022 konnte eine industrielle Einigung für die Phase 1B von FCAS erzielt werden. Derzeit findet der Personalaufbau innerhalb ADS statt.

Operative Chancen und Risiken

[...]

FCAS

Die Demonstrator-Phase 1A konnte in 2022 erfolgreich abgeschlossen werden. Am 16. Dezember 2022 wurde die anschließende Demonstrator-Phase 1B zwischen den Staaten und Industrien nach rund anderthalb-jähriger Verhandlung unterzeichnet. Kick-off für diese "Phase 1B" ist im März 2023, mit einer Laufzeit bis 2025. Parallel dazu rechnen wir in Q2 2023 mit der Beauftragung der die trinationalen Aktivitäten flankierenden "nationalen Aktivitäten" in Deutschland (Volumen insgesamt 750 Mio EUR bis 2027). Diese Mittel stehen der gesamten deutschen, an FCAS beteiligten Industrie zur Verfügung. Frankreich und Spanien haben vergleichbare Mittel bereitgestellt. Die Unterzeichnung der "Phase 1B" ist ein wichtiger Meilenstein für FCAS, da mit ihm der Einstieg in die Technologieentwicklung weiter forciert wird. Ziel ist es bis 2027/28 über flugfähige Demonstratoren zu verfügen. Risiken bestehen weiterhin in den industriellen Kooperationsbeziehungen zwischen Deutschland und Frankreich und insbesondere zwischen der deutschen und französischen Industrie. So wurde zwischen den Regierungen für Q4 2023 ein sogenanntes "Quality Gate" vereinbart, bei dem der Status der bisherigen Kooperation sowie der daraus resultierenden Ergebnisse evaluiert werden sollen. Die entsprechenden Kriterien werden in den kommenden Wochen und Monaten zwischen den Staaten definiert. Eine positive Evaluierung ist Voraussetzung für den Eintritt in die "Demonstrator-Phase 2" in 2026. Wichtig in 2022 war weiterhin die Bestätigung von Emmanuel Macron als Präsident Frankreichs, da damit eine Fortsetzung des pro-europäischen Kurses in Frankreich einhergeht. FCAS befindet sich in naher Zukunft in einer Phase des Ramp-Ups, was insbesondere die Standorte Taufkirchen, Manching und Friedrichshafen betrifft sowie weiterhin Airbus DS S.A.U. in Getafe.

FCAS gilt als das ambitionierteste europäische Verteidigungsvorhaben der kommenden Jahrzehnte. Aufgrund der komplexen Vernetzung sowie den großen Anforderungen der Kunden erfordert FCAS ein hohes Maß an neuen Technologien wie z.B. künstliche Intelligenz und maschinelles Lernen. Langfristiges Ziel ist es, mit FCAS eine Domänen-übergreifende Plattform zu schaffen, welche Luft-, Boden- und auch Marinestreitkräfte unter Einbeziehung von Sattelitensystemen miteinander verbindet.

[...]

Connected Intelligence

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Im Jahr 2022 wurde der Auftragseingang für FCAS Combat Cloud Phase 1B, trotz mehrerer Verzögerungen, verbucht. Durch Combat Cloud ergeben sich erhebliche Chancen durch die Entwicklung neuer Technologien, die das Ergebnis von CI positiv über die nächsten Jahre hinweg beeinflussen werden.

https://www.unternehmensregister.de/ure ... d=32928727

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Germany's potential SCAF exit for GCAP unpacked

Rumours first reported by The Times suggest that Germany is contemplating leaving its €100 billion (US$106 billion) future combat jet project with France to potentially join a rival effort, the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Experts have cautioned against interpreting this leak as the ultimate collapse of the partnership, however, emphasising the ongoing complexities of negotiations.

James Black, assistant director of defence and security and European lead at the think tank Rand Europe, believes that while it would not be surprising if Germany looked outside of SCAF for a better deal, the suggestion should be taken with a great deal of scepticism.

‘It is no secret that negotiations between Paris and Berlin on the requirements, funding, industrial workshare and export arrangements for SCAF have been tense at times, spilling over into public at several points,’ Black remarked when speaking to Shephard.

For more than a year, both parties have been grappling with the challenge of reaching a consensus on the future phases of SCAF development. Frictions in defence cooperation tend to emerge over IP rights or distributional issues related to workshare in joint procurement ventures.

Berlin has committed a substantial €40 billion (U$43.2 billion) investment for SCAF. Nevertheless, the project has encountered several setbacks, including delays and disagreements concerning design and financial aspects.

Black pointed out that despite the close partnership between the two EU countries, Germany had had a track record of working more closely on fighter jets with the UK and Italy (Tornado and Eurofighter). In contrast, France has typically pursued such efforts alone, making the country less experienced in collaborative programmes in the air domain.

‘Germany has also frustrated its French partner with its decision to acquire F-35 from the US to fulfil its dual-capable nuclear role within NATO – a move that has been decried by French industry as incompatible with SCAF’s goal of boosting European strategic autonomy,’ Black added.

It is also conceivable, Black said, that a possible consideration of Germany leaving SCAF and joining GCAP could be interpreted within the framework of negotiation tactics employed by different parties aiming to enhance their bargaining power in potential agreements.

‘The threat of departing SCAF may simply be an attempt by some on the German side to pressure French and Spanish counterparts into accepting Berlin’s demands for its role within that programme,’ he explained.

Black added that while the leak indicates continuing tension within the ‘complex and highly political negotiations’, it does not necessarily signal the collapse of the partnership.

Isabella Antinozzi, research analyst for defence, industries and society at the Royal United Services Institute (RUSI), agreed.

‘My take is that it's not necessarily a false leak,' Antinozzi said. 'It's not an unfounded decision, but for now I wouldn't exclude that it's come out to make headlines and, thereby, gain more leverage in conversations with France.'

A breakdown in the SCAF collaboration between France and Germany could also have a knock-on effect on relations and willingness to partner in other defence project, Black said. This could include the Main Ground Combat System (MGCS) programme that aims to improve the mobility and protection of both country's main battle tank fleets.

Antinozzi said that sources close to the matter claim Germany has been ‘waiting for the French to give them an excuse to leave’ the programme, but joining GCAP would not be so simple.

‘It's quite easy to understand why the Germans are unhappy with the French, but I don't think joining GCAP would be that easy,’ she explained. ‘It would most certainly be impossible to join as a Tier 1 partner – from my understanding, there is no other room at the top table.’

As seen above, negotiations for large-scale projects such as GCAP and SCAF are time-consuming. Including a new member in the GCAP alliance would inevitably prolong decision-making and impede programme progress. Additionally, as Shephard reported previously, Japan has shown limited interest in involving new partners in the effort and wants to focus on a steady pace forward and a secure alliance.

A source who requested anonymity due to the sensitive nature of the matter told Shephard that the Japanese are not entirely content about Italy’s participation in the programme.

‘They're apparently still dissatisfied with Italy's budget allocation even after the latest announcement [that increased the county’s GCAP budget],’ the source revealed. ‘They think it's something positive, but does not [necessarily justify equal workshare].’

https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/air- ... otiations/

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German air chief urges haste in fielding strike, utility drones (3. November 2023)

German air force chief Lt. Gen. Ingo Gerhartz wants to see faster progress in the fielding of new military drones than what the time line for the envisioned trinational Future Combat Air System can offer.

“We can have remote carriers out of that project much much earlier,” the air force chief told Defense News in an interview, referring to a class of drones that is envisioned to accompany the FCAS program’s central, sixth-generation warplane on future missions. “And we need to have it much, much earlier.”

Asked about what timing he had in mind, Gerhartz demurred, saying only the contracting for the FCAS drones was far enough along to support the fielding of unmanned technologies before the totality of the program comes online.

Gerhartz said he also wants to push the tempo on a dedicated strike drone for Germany. The larger vehicle class is internationally dubbed a UCAV, short for unmanned combat aerial vehicle.

France’s national lead for FCAS, Dassault Aviation, has been developing such a weapon for years, in parallel to the trinational program, Gerhartz noted.

“Now were are looking for partners to push UCAV, or loyal wingman, on our side,” he said. “We need that earlier.”

After the interview, when asked about details, a Luftwaffe spokesman wrote in a statement that the service is looking for “synergies” with partner nations grappling with the same problem of integrating manned and unmanned strike platforms into scenarios for “collaborative combat.”

A spokeswoman for the German ministry of defense said Berlin is sticking with FCAS, calling reports to the contrary “false.”

Contractors began building an demonstrator in March, putting the project on a “good path,” the spokeswoman said.

https://www.defensenews.com/global/euro ... ty-drones/

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