The Future Offensive Air System is the system which will replace the RAF's strike capability currently provided by the Tornado GR4. Inital operation capability is expected around 2017.
The project is currently at the project definition stage and the capability required could be provided by any number of systems;
- New build aircraft e.g. (see picture)
- Development of current aircraft, e.g.
- Typhoon - with increased internal fuel capacity and possibly internal weapons carriage.
- F-35 - most likely the CTOL version (F-35A)
- Unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs)
- Standoff missiles
- From next generation strike aircraft
- Possibly from large, cheap non-penetrating aircraft. e.g. military transport
- Mix of above systems
It seems likely that the UK would seek to procure such a system in collaboration with another nation. The country with the most similar requirements is perhaps France, which maintains a similar expeditionary strategy for its military. However, the Royal Air Force has been cooperating with the U.S. Department of Defense on the F-35 project, and it is currently the favorite (per industry trade magazine Aviation Week & Space Technology) for UAV/UCAV cooperation as well, given the American lead in unmanned aircraft technology.
Two industry teams are competing for the contract, one led by BAE Systems and the other by LogicaCMG.
- BAE SYSTEMS Team
- LogicaCMG Team
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