A new era for sixth-generation airpower began today with the launch of Edgewing, the tri-national industrial joint venture that will design and develop the Global Combat Air Program (GCAP) fighter for the United Kingdom, Italy and Japan. Announced on the sidelines of the Paris Air Show, the company becomes the single industrial face of the program and will remain design authority for the aircraft throughout its life.
Edgewing is owned in equal 33.3 % shares by BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo S.p.A. (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (JAIEC). Former Leonardo Aircraft managing director Marco Zoff takes the helm as the venture’s first Chief Executive Officer. Governance will rotate among the shareholders; BAE’s Future Combat Air System chief Herman Claesen has been appointed the inaugural Board Chair.
Although teams will operate in all three nations, the headquarters is being established in the United Kingdom to keep Edgewing closely aligned with the new GCAP International Government Organisation (GIGO), which is also London-based. Manufacturing and final assembly will be subcontracted to BAE Systems, Leonardo, Mitsubishi Heavy Industries, and a wide network of supply-chain partners, ensuring workshare is spread equitably across Europe and Asia.
Edgewing’s immediate tasks include finalizing a unified preliminary design, harmonizing digital engineering tool-chains, and launching supply-chain competitions later this year. Government ministers from the three nations are expected to sign off the venture’s first multi-year development contract by early 2026, keeping GCAP on track for a first flight before the decade’s end.
A military history enthusiast, Richard began his career at Forecast International as editor of the World Weapons Weekly newsletter. As the Internet became central to defense research, he helped design the company’s Forecast Intelligence Center and now coordinates the FI Market Recap newsletters for clients. He also manages two blogs: Defense & Security Monitor, which covers defense systems and international security issues, and Flight Plan, focused on commercial aviation and space systems.
For more than 30 years, Richard has authored Defense & Aerospace Companies, Volume I (North America) and Volume II (International), providing detailed data on major aerospace and defense contractors. He also edits the International Contractors service, a database tracking all companies involved in programs covered by the FI library. Richard currently serves as Manager of the Information Services Group (ISG), which develops outbound content for both Forecast International and Military Periscope.
