Subheading: The collaboration agreement with Edgewing accelerates international integration in the development of the 6th generation fighter jet engine.
A critical step has been taken in the development of the 6th generation fighter jet under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). The consortium established by Rolls-Royce (UK), Avio Aero (Italy), and IHI (Japan) has signed a comprehensive cooperation agreement with Edgewing, initiated by BAE Systems, Leonardo, and Japan-based JAIEC.
This agreement represents a transition from nationally based contracts to fully integrated international cooperation. Following the success achieved with GCAP’s central line engine test aircraft, detailed design and development of the next-generation fighter jet engine will now accelerate.
Key statements from the companies
Pierfederico Scarpa, Senior Vice President of Marketing and Sales, Avio Aero:
“At Avio Aero, we are proud to bring our longstanding expertise in engine design and manufacturing to this important partnership. Together with Rolls-Royce and IHI, we are not only developing an engine for GCAP but also shaping the future of aerospace cooperation between our three nations.”
Phil Townley, Director of Defence Aerospace – Future Programmes, Rolls-Royce:
“This agreement is a major milestone in the shift from national programmes to an international single-team approach. We are accelerating technological advancements in production, materials, and design to strengthen GCAP.”
Atsushi Sato, Head of Space and Defence Business Area, IHI Corporation:
“This collaboration marks the beginning of a new era in combat air propulsion systems. By combining Japanese innovation with British and Italian expertise, we are creating a unique engine for GCAP.”
A milestone in engine technologies
The consortium is making progress in critical areas such as additive manufacturing, advanced cooling systems, and high-pressure compressor design. In particular, a revolutionary combustor with unique geometric cooling pathways has been successfully tested. This technology allows turbines to operate at higher temperatures while keeping components cooler, thereby enhancing durability throughout the engine’s life cycle.
Engineering teams have moved into the hardware procurement phase following a series of multi-stage joint design reviews. This ensures that the engine demonstrator programme, aligned with GCAP’s initial flight schedule, lays the foundation for mass production.
International defence industry cooperation
By developing the power and propulsion system at the heart of GCAP, the engine consortium of Rolls-Royce, Avio Aero, and IHI is advancing not only technological innovation but also deepening defence cooperation integration between the United Kingdom, Italy, and Japan.
