FCAS/SCAF (Next Generation Fighter)
Dassault · Multi-role Fighter (6th Gen) / Multi-role Air Combat · France · Digital Age (2010–present)
The Future Combat Air System (FCAS, French: Système de combat aérien du futur — SCAF) is a Franco-German-Spanish next-generation 6th-generation fighter programme — Europe's principal sovereign 6th-generation combat-aviation programme. Dassault (France) + Airbus Defence and Space (Germany / Spain) + Indra Sistemas (Spain) lead the programme; development began in 2017 with a 2018 Franco-German political agreement + Spanish accession in 2019. First demonstrator (Dassault Next Generation Fighter — NGF) is expected to fly 2027-2029; initial in-service date is targeted for the mid-2040s. About 0 airframes built as of 2026.
The FCAS programme aims for a 6th-generation manned fighter (NGF — Next Generation Fighter) operating with autonomous unmanned wingmen (remote carriers) within a System of Systems network. Projected NGF specifications: stealth airframe (low radar cross-section), supercruise role (Mach 1.5+ without afterburner), modern sensor fusion (AESA radar + IRST + RWR), combat range ~2,000+ km with internal weapons. The remote carriers are intended as autonomous combat drones operating alongside manned NGFs. Programme value through development is approximately €100 billion across French + German + Spanish budgets.
FCAS development has been politically complicated. France-Germany industrial-share disputes delayed the programme in 2020-2022 + caused multiple programme schedule slips. Italian + Swedish potential partner accession was discussed but neither country joined. By 2024-2025 the programme has stabilised with Dassault leading airframe design + Airbus Germany leading systems integration + Indra leading sensors. The programme directly competes with the British-Italian-Japanese GCAP (Global Combat Air Programme, formerly Tempest) for European 6th-generation market share — and with American NGAD + Chinese J-XX programmes for global market share. NGF first flight targeted 2027-2029 (slipped from original 2026 schedule).
For Kids — a shorter, friendlier version
The Future Combat Air System, or FCAS, is a new fighter jet program by France, Germany, and Spain. The three countries are working together to build the next big European fighter for the 2040s. The main plane in the program is called the Next Generation Fighter, or NGF.
Dassault is leading the design of the new fighter. Airbus and the Spanish company Indra are helping. The program started in 2017 with a deal between France and Germany. Spain joined in 2019.
The new fighter will replace the French Rafale and the German Eurofighter Typhoon. It will fly with a group of robot drones called remote carriers. The fighter and the drones will work like a sports team, with the pilot in charge.
The first test plane is expected to fly between 2027 and 2029. Real fighters should start serving the three air forces by the mid-2040s. The FCAS plane is meant to be bigger than the Eurofighter and faster than the speed of sound. As of 2026, no real FCAS fighter has been built yet — only paper plans and small wind-tunnel models.
Fun Facts
- FCAS is a new fighter jet program by France, Germany, and Spain.
- The main plane in the program is called the Next Generation Fighter, or NGF.
- The new fighter will replace the French Rafale and the German Eurofighter Typhoon.
- It will fly with a group of robot drones called remote carriers.
- The first test flight is expected between 2027 and 2029.
- As of 2026, no real FCAS fighter has been built yet.
Kids’ Questions
What is a sixth-generation fighter?
Today's best fighters like the F-35 are fifth-generation. The next step is sixth-generation — fighters that can fly with robot drones, share data with friendly planes very fast, and use special engines that change shape during flight. The FCAS will be Europe's first sixth-generation fighter.
Why do three countries need to work together?
A brand-new fighter costs about 100 billion dollars to design and build. No single European country can pay that much by itself. Sharing the work between France, Germany, and Spain spreads the cost and lets the three countries pool their best engineers. They will also share the planes when they enter service.
Variants
- Next Generation Fighter (NGF)
- Manned 6th-generation fighter. Dassault-led airframe; targeted first flight 2027-2029.
- Remote Carrier (autonomous wingmen)
- Unmanned combat drones operating alongside NGFs. Airbus + MBDA-led.
- Combat Cloud (network)
- System-of-Systems network linking NGF + RCs + ground + space assets. Multi-prime integration.
Notable Operators
- (none — programme only)
- Targeted in-service mid-2040s for French Air Force + German Luftwaffe + Spanish Air Force.
Frequently Asked Questions
When will FCAS / NGF enter service?
Mid-2040s target. First demonstrator flight targeted 2027-2029 (slipped from original 2026 schedule due to Franco-German industrial disputes). In-service date for production NGFs is mid-2040s — designed to replace French Air Force Rafales + German Luftwaffe Eurofighters + Spanish Air Force Eurofighters in the 2040-2050 timeframe. The programme schedule is comparable to other 6th-generation programmes (American NGAD targeting late 2020s, British-Italian-Japanese GCAP targeting mid-2030s).
How is FCAS different from GCAP?
Different European 6th-generation programmes. FCAS (France + Germany + Spain) is led by Dassault + Airbus Defence and Space + Indra Sistemas. GCAP (UK + Italy + Japan) is led by BAE Systems + Leonardo + Mitsubishi Heavy Industries. The two programmes have similar goals (6th-generation manned fighter + autonomous wingmen + system-of-systems network) but separate industrial bases + separate political backing. They directly compete for European 6th-generation market share + potential international export customers.
Why has FCAS been delayed?
Franco-German industrial-share disputes. Initial 2018 political agreement set a 50/50 industrial split between France + Germany, with Spain joining 2019. Subsequent disputes 2020-2022 over which prime contractor leads which subsystems (airframe vs. engines vs. sensors vs. mission systems) delayed the programme by 2-3 years. By 2024-2025 the programme had stabilised with clearer industrial roles, but the original 2026 first-flight target slipped to 2027-2029.
Sources
See Also
- Dassault Rafale — Direct French Air Force predecessor that FCAS will replace
- Eurofighter Typhoon — Direct German + Spanish Luftwaffe predecessor that FCAS will replace
- GCAP (UK + Italy + Japan) — Competing European 6th-generation programme
- Lockheed Martin F-22 Raptor — American 5th-generation predecessor / NGAD generation peer