Arab Security and Defense - Dubai Special
In a move that unified the ranks of the military forces on the continent, eased the existing disparities between them and found an alternative to American fighters, Europe launched a project to develop two different sixth-generation combat aircraft simultaneously in a detailed test of its ability to create a joint operations command that would guarantee its military sovereignty in light of the escalating Tensions with US President Donald Trump, whose stances raise doubts about the durability of NATO.
In details, France, Germany and Spain unveiled a new generation of European Air Force fighters; The stealth fighter project is part of the “Future Combat Air System” (FCAS), which will also include drones, missiles and remote-controlled supply tankers capable of transporting ammunition, jamming communications networks and distracting enemy defenses. For their part, Britain, Italy, Sweden and the Netherlands cooperated to launch the European sixth-generation fighter “Tempest” project, where the partners agreed to develop an innovative concept and partnership that includes knowledge, product definition, and technical growth for joint development of future air battle systems. This project is considered a major step in strengthening the European common defense despite Britain's exit from the European Union.
In light of these serious steps, opinions differ about Europe's ability to operate two programs for sixth-generation fighters, with some analysts believing that the huge cost and perhaps the small numbers of aircraft required for the battlefield after 2040 will eventually prevent Europeans from operating two separate programmes, while British Defense Secretary Penny Morden disagrees This view considers that Europe's history of military programs until today proves the continent's ability to withstand two separate action plans for warplanes.
This prompts us to think about sixth-generation air wars and what we can expect from aircraft of this type, especially since sixth-generation aircraft have not yet departed from the conceptual framework, especially since armed forces all over the world are still seeking to accommodate the fifth generation of fighters.
There is no doubt that the sixth-generation aircraft, in theory, will exceed the skills of the fifth-generation aircraft in many aspects, as current reports indicate that the sixth-generation platforms will be “optionally manned,” meaning that they can fly with or without a pilot, which will represent A decisive shift in the world's air force orders a battle. In addition, this type of aircraft can reformulate the well-known concept of operations and rules of engagement in many corners of the world, especially as these aircraft serve as a platform for launching drone strikes and are likely to be equipped with directed energy weapons as well.
Without a doubt, managing such complex tasks and dealing with a huge amount of data exceeds human cognitive capabilities, and before the fifth generation aircraft, defense and aviation experts tended to solve this problem through the multiplicity of work of some third and fourth generation platforms, and then the introduction of new roles in the cabin Leadership.
What is interesting here is that one of the design features of the Tempest fighter is the cockpit. It's usually not the part that people focus on, but there's something completely different about its design; When visitors looked at the dashboard - during the Farnborough Air Show 2018 - they saw none of the usual gauges and features. But instead, there was a completely blank black screen in front of their eyes - until they put on their helmet and the display appeared in front of them. From here, British company BAE Systems is betting on its concept of a virtual cockpit, which can be changed to pilot's preference and easily upgraded to reflect New capabilities, will pay off on the new fighter. This cockpit has been categorized as the way of the future, firstly, the system is lighter than the traditional cockpit control package, which allows designers to lighten the weight of the design, and secondly, most importantly, the system enables modular capabilities.
These technologies (in addition to many others) constitute a basic feature that distinguishes the sixth generation fighters from their fifth generation counterparts. What the latter has brought to this day is single-seat designs, and if the sixth generation follows this model in general, and because it will deal with a huge amount of data and multitasking In a more complex battlespace, the only way forward is to enhance the ability of artificial intelligence (AI) and the compatibility between humans and machines.
No one disagrees that the European step is bold and has raised the ceiling of competition among the global defense industries, especially on the American and Chinese arenas, with regard to major technological developments, as well as Russian military activity and concepts of hybrid wars. This will require a significant investment in artificial intelligence technology, production of drone platforms, equipping aircraft with powerful electronic warfare systems and state-of-the-art weapons, and ensuring a very high level of network connectivity beyond the fifth generation. It is all about the next revolution in military affairs, and thus strong competition. Consideration must also be given to the significant difference in European export policies and flexibility (eg German and French – where the French defense giants likely do not want to lose out on lucrative markets, particularly in the Gulf, due to the sensitive German political landscape).
It remains to be seen how European countries will be able to overcome all financial, political and export obstacles, while keeping pace with global competition between major powers.