MINISTRY OF DEFENCE
173/96 December 16, 1996
MOD LOOKS TO THE FUTURE OF OFFENSIVE AIRCRAFT
The Ministry of Defence is to launch a #35M study into options for a
Future Offensive Air System. The system - which might not even be a
conventional fast jet - would be intended to maintain the capability
provided by the Tornado GR4 ground attack aircraft.
Options to be examined include not only;
- variants of Eurofighter
- new design or off-the-shelf combat aircraft
but also;
- unmanned (sometimes called 'uninhabited' air vehicles)
- stand-off air-to-ground missiles launched at very long range
from transport aircraft.
A full range of future technologies will be considered, including not
only fly-by-wire but also fly-by-light, stealth, virtual reality
cockpits and integrated modular avionics. At the same time stringent
design-to-cost disciplines will apply and a full range of
collaborative options will be considered.
The overall aim of the study will be to provide comprehensive data on
feasibility, cost and operational effectiveness. A decision on which
option, if any, to pursue would then be made. Industrial factors and
affordability would, as always, be taken into account.
In answer to a Parliamentary Question from Edward Leigh MP
(Gainsborough and Hornscastle), Defence Procurement Minister, James
Arbuthnot said:
"The Ministry of Defence has decided to carry out a feasibility
study into a future offensive air system. The Tornado GR1 (now
being upgraded to GR4 standard) provides a long-range power
projection and air interdiction capability. The study will
examine a range of options for maintaining this capability
beyond the planned withdrawal date of the GR4 in the second
decade of the new millennium.
"Study contracts to the value of #35M are expected to be placed
in the new year. Options to be examined include variants of the
Eurofighter and other new design and off-the-shelf combat
aircraft; unmanned air vehicles; and stand-off air-to-ground
missiles launched from transport aircraft. Collaborative
options will be pursued."
Notes to Editors
A system to replace the Tornado GR4 (the upgraded version of the
Tornado GR1) would come into service around 2015.
Study contracts will be let with a number of contractors and with the
Defence Evaluation and Research Agency. The work will be managed by
the MOD Procurement Executive in Bristol.
The scope for collaboration within Europe and elsewhere will be fully
explored. The study will benefit from a joint Anglo-French
technology demonstration programme to permit computer modelling of
weapons systems.
This study is quite separate from the current four nation Eurofighter
project, which is approaching its production phase and is intended to
replace the Tornado F3 (air defence). (A future variant of
Eurofighter will, however, be among the options looked at).
# = pounds sterling
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