Rivals Airbus and Dassault Aviation have struck a deal to develop and produce Europe’s next generation of fighter aircraft. The two companies said their European Future Combat Air System (FCAS) would replace the existing planes by 2040.
The French and German governments have yet to set out their exact requirements for the programme, which will also include the manufacture of drones and communications technology. And the two companies have yet to decide which of them would take the lead role in the huge project.
Airbus Defence and Space chief executive Dirk Hoke said that whether the French and German governments involve Britain in future projects would likely depend on the conditions around its exit from the European Union. BAE Systems, Britain’s biggest manufacturer, is a key part of the Eurofighter consortium.
It will “complement and eventually replace” current generation of Eurofighter and Rafale fighter aircraft by 2035-2040. BAE Systems said it was keen to further develop Britain’s combat air capability and would welcome the chance to discuss cross-nation cooperation.
The aim is to collaborate on developing a Future Combat Air System – an integrated mechanism involving not just fighters, but drones and other systems, all linked by secure communications.
Bodycote, provider of heat treatment and specialist thermal processing services, announces that It has signed a 15-year contract with Rolls-Royce’s Civil Aerospace business. The contract is expected to be worth over £160m in incremental revenues over the 15-year period. Sales will ramp up over the next five years.
Bodycote will provide thermal processing services which Include specialised vacuum heat treatment and hot isostatic pressing (HIP), supporting Rolls-Royce’s turbine blade casting facilities in Derby and Rotherham, U.K.
The agreement ensures the provision of specialist thermal processing capacity utilising Bodycote’s high performance, quality-focused approach to support the growth of Rolls-Royce’s large civil engine programmes; these Include the Trent XWB, Trent 1000, Trent 7000, Trent 700 and Trent 900.