Fighter Aircraft
FCAS / SCAF
FCAS, or SCAF in French, is a European combat air system built around the Next Generation Fighter, remote carrier drones and a combat cloud, launched by France and Germany in 2017. Spain joined in 2019, and service entry is now targeted for around 2040.
France|Dassault Aviation & Airbus & IndraOverview
FCAS is a system of systems rather than a single aircraft. The crewed Next Generation Fighter sits alongside unmanned remote carriers and a combat cloud. France and Germany launched it in 2017 and Spain joined in 2019. Phase 1B demonstrators began in January 2021 with about 3.6 billion euros shared equally by the three nations. Dassault Aviation leads the fighter, Airbus leads the combat cloud and remote carriers, Indra leads sensors, and Safran and MTU form the engine venture EUMET.
No aircraft exists yet. A demonstrator first flight has slipped to around 2029 and entry into service to around 2040. In 2024 and 2025 Dassault and Airbus clashed over work share and leadership, and reports suggest France and Germany may split into two fighters, so the programme’s status is uncertain. Total cost estimates of 100 billion euros or more are unofficial. The French version must operate from the future carrier PANG, and Belgium joined as an observer.
Key Specifications
Variants
The NGF is the crewed Next Generation Fighter at the core of the system.
Remote carriers are unmanned aircraft that fly alongside the fighter to extend sensors and weapons.
The combat cloud is the data network linking fighters, drones and other platforms.
Operators
FranceFrequently Asked Questions
What is FCAS?
FCAS, the Future Combat Air System (SCAF in French), is a European system of systems for France, Germany and Spain. It combines the Next Generation Fighter, remote carrier drones and a combat cloud, and it is not just one aircraft.
When will FCAS enter service?
FCAS is expected to enter service around 2040, with a demonstrator first flight planned for about 2029. Those dates have slipped from 2035 to 2040 and 2026, and the programme’s future is uncertain.
How much will FCAS cost?
The total cost of FCAS is estimated at 100 billion euros or more by some analysts, though this is disputed and not official. Phase 1B demonstrators alone received about 3.6 billion euros.
FCAS vs GCAP: which is better?
FCAS and GCAP are rival European sixth-generation programmes, and neither has produced an aircraft yet. GCAP targets service in 2035 and FCAS around 2040, and FCAS has been hit by Franco-German disputes.
Is FCAS cancelled?
FCAS has not been formally cancelled, but its status is uncertain. Since 2024 Dassault and Airbus have clashed over leadership, and reports suggest France and Germany may build two separate fighters.
Which countries are in FCAS?
France, Germany and Spain are the three FCAS partner nations, with Belgium as an observer. Saab and Sweden are not part of FCAS, and Türkiye is not involved in the programme.
