The Scaf (Future Air Combat System) is still stopped. Yesterday, when Dassault Aviation’s results were announced, Eric Trappier, CEO, expressed his impatience.
From the air show in Farnborough, England, Guillaume Faury, CEO of Airbus responded.
A solution for the fall?
In short, the dream of creating the Franco-German-Spanish plane is truly stalled. The ambition to present a demonstrator before 2030 is fading, and already Dassault estimates that the delivery of the first devices can only take place between 2040 and 2050.
The dispute between the two manufacturers is based on the management of the project. Dassault has been chosen as the prime contractor for the main fighter aircraft or the future fighter aircraft of
new generation (NGF), with Airbus as the main subcontractor.
Will the Scaf see the light of day? Guillaume Faury believes that an agreement with Dassault is “closer every day” and could even be found “this year”. For his part, a source close to Dassault said Business B.F.M. that the situation could change for the fall.
The Tempest ready to take off
Meanwhile, the competition benefits from the discord. At the Farnborough Air Show, BAE Systems announced the schedule for the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) program with the Tempest at its centre, the aircraft being prepared by the UK with Italy and Sweden. A demonstrator will be presented within 5 years to launch the final version in 2035.
For Eric Trappier, this efficiency is based on a key element.
Therefore, time is running out for the European aircraft industry, but also for the EU’s ambitions in terms of defense sovereignty. Because without Scaf, the only sure thing is that the countries of the Union will be tempted to buy their future planes from the British or the Americans. They will not wait for the future European combat system to fill the order books.
Source: BFM TV
