The UK and Japan are set to build the next generation fighter aircraft engine

With Tempest for One and F-3 [ou F-X] Another is that the United Kingdom and Japan have each begun developing a 6th generation fighter jet. Hence the discussions on possible technological partnerships between these two countries.

Thus, in July, during a voyage to Tokyo, the Chief of Staff of the Royal Air Force [RAF], Air Chief Marshal Sir Mike Wixton noted the “innovative” cooperation between British and Japanese manufacturers, especially in the field of propulsion systems. Also, it only worked five months later.

In fact, on December 22, the British Ministry of Defense [MoD] Announced the signing of a “protocol of cooperation” with Japan aimed at jointly developing a new generation warplane engine demonstration. Work is set to begin “early next year” and the UK plans to invest 30 million for this purpose.

“Strengthening our partnerships in the Indo-Pacific region is a strategic priority, and this engagement with Japan, one of our closest security partners in Asia, is a clear example,” commented British Defense Minister Ben Wallace.

“Designing a new fighter aircraft system […] Is a very ambitious project. It is therefore imperative to work with like-minded countries. By building the technical and industrial strengths of our two countries, we will explore large-scale partnerships in next-generation fighter aircraft technologies, ”Mr Wallace added.

For his part, Defense Procurement Minister Jeremy Quinn underscored Japan’s “enormous technological advancement” that would “complement our own knowledge” and “guarantee that both our Armed Forces would be at the forefront of military innovation”.

As a reminder, the Tempest project has entered its “design and evaluation” phase. It especially mobilizes BAE systems [maître d’oeuvre], Rolls Royce, MBDA UK and Leonardo UK. Italy joins Sweden via SAP when it participates in the technological development of some organizations for this project.

As for the Japanese F-3, it should benefit from the support of American Lockheed-Martin. This is especially true of Mitsubishi Heavy Industries [maître d’oeuvre], Ishikawajima-Harima Heavy Industries [IHI] Subaru for engines, landing systems and Fujitsu and Toshiba for on-board electronics. Its commissioning is scheduled for 2035.

The details of this collaboration between the UK and Japan in the field of engines are not mentioned. However, in 2020, Rolls-Royce said it was working to create a new combustion chamber that could withstand significantly higher temperatures than the existing one, to increase engine efficiency when releasing “less carbon dioxide”.

With growing collaboration, Rolls-Royce will work with IHI. The Japanese engine manufacturer significantly developed the XF9-1 bypass turbojet engine and delivered 15 tons of propulsion with post-combustion. It follows from the XF-5 developed for the Mitsubishi X-2 Shin Shin fighter demonstration. [ou ATD-X].