As a central element of the Future Combat Air System (FCAS), the NGWS comprises a next-generation fighter aircraft (New Generation Fighter – NGF) and drones (Remote Carrier) that are networked via a data cloud (Multi-Domain Combat Cloud) with other systems on the ground, at sea, in the air, in space and in cyberspace.

The national research and technology project (R&T) runs complementary to the tri-national NGWS programme and is intended to develop and demonstrate complementary basic technologies and sub-functionalities for the networked deployment of the NGWS from 2040 onwards by 2028. In the first phase, which has now been commissioned, the consortia will bring innovations and cutting-edge technologies to maturity by 2025 and prepare them for subsequent demonstrations. The aim is also to ensure that existing Bundeswehr platforms and aircraft are ‘FCAS-ready’.

In total, the industry consortium is driving forward eight R&D projects, in which more than 30 other partners from industry and research are also involved:

• Chief Engineering
• Mission Planning
• Sensor Data Fusion and Management
• Human-Machine Interface
• Integrated Modular Avionics
• Robust Communication
• Electronic warfare
• Networked armament and direct energy weapons (DEW)