Saab has unveiled its next-generation fighter design, signifying Sweden is moving away from GCAP and returning to self-development.
Saab’s Head of Advanced Programmes, Peter Nilsson, stated to the Swedish newspaper Dagens Nyheter that Saab is working on new fighter jet concepts, both manned and unmanned.
During FIA2024, Sweden’s flag wasn’t displayed in the GCAP booth, signalling Sweden’s leave from the next-generation fighter programme. However, Nilsson gave the example of international partners involved in developing the JAS-39 Gripen fighter and stated that the new fighter would be developed similarly.
Saab has previously shown two concept designs for unmanned fighters to accompany manned ones—one without any tail component, one with two rudders, and a shape optimised for supersonic speeds.
For manned fighters, Saab might take a similar route with Gripen in terms of minimalism and lower acquirement/operating costs compared to other aircraft of the same generation. The oversized and likely to be highly costly GCAP design might be one of the reasons the country has opted to develop the fighter jet on its own.
GCAP program started in the U.K. under the name Tempest, intending to develop a next-generation fighter and related technologies to succeed Eurofighter Typhoon jets. In later stages, Japan, Italy, and Sweden joined the program, and restructuring was made into a consortium under the name GCAP, standing for Global Combat Air Programme.
With the programme change, the fighters will also succeed F-2A fighters of Japan and work alongside F-35 fighters. GCAP's most attention-worthy parts are its large fuselage and low observability features.
The large fuselage will allow for greater internal weapons capacity. Additionally, electrical power generation will significantly leap for higher-performing sensors and directed energy weapons. Rolls-Royce is responsible for developing the engine and other power systems.
The operational concept involves network-centric warfare on a wider scale that will connect the fighter to a battle cloud involving air, sea, land and space systems. An important part of this concept will be loyal wingmen to support the manned aircraft in various missions.
