UK's Future Offensive Air System studies continue

June 13th, 1999

The Future Offensive Air System (FOAS) programme aims to provide the UK with a long-range offensive air capability to replace that currently provided by Tornado GR4. The MOD has said that the FOAS solution should provide operational flexibility and utility across a range of military tasks. It must be capable of all weather, day/night operation at all levels and must be survivable in a high-threat environment.

The current FOAS Feasibility Studies were launched in October 1997. Following the 1998 Strategic Defence Review, work continues to develop the concepts for future offensive operations.

The UK's Defence Evaluation Research Agency (DERA), British Aerospace, and Industry teams have been examining the feasibility and cost effectiveness of a wide range of solutions within the categories defined so far - manned combat aircraft (new designs and off-the-shelf solutions), Unmanned Air Vehicles (UAVs) and Conventionally-armed Air Launched Cruise Missiles (CALCMs). Possible solutions include a 'force mix' approach including all three categories.

A joint approach to the acquisition of technologies for future combat aircraft with the French Government and UK and French industry has resulted in joint and separate technology programme proposals with UK and French suppliers. It is anticipated that this activity will be extended to include other European Government and industry interests.

Reflecting the UK Ministry of Defence's Smart Procurement Initiative, the FOAS project is implementing new practices and technologies in the areas of Systems engineering, electronic commerce, data sharing and synthetic environments.

FOAS is one of the Integrated Project Teams (IPTs) under the UK Ministry of Defence's Smart Procurement initiative. The FOAS IPT includes representatives from all areas of the UK MoD involved in the project as well as DERA and Industry. A major element of the IPT is based at British Aerospace's Warton site in the UK, where more than 100 engineers, commercial and project staff are studying UAV and manned aircraft concepts along with MoD staff. Additionally other contractor teams are primarily studying UAV and CALCM concepts.

Completion of the concept feasibility studies and launch of the Assessment phase for technology risk reduction and further system definition will be in 2001. A solution should be selected about 10 years from now, with the entry into service of FOAS in about 20 years time.

REF XQQEE XQQAR