German Industry Announce "Team Gen 6" to Develop FCAS Alternative

Key Points:

• German industry has formed "Team Gen 6," a consortium of eight leading defense and aviation companies, including Airbus, to develop a sovereign European 6th-generation fighter aircraft following the collapse of the FCAS/SCAF program's Next Generation Fighter (NGF) project.
• Team Gen 6 aims to build on the technological and industrial groundwork laid by FCAS, seeking close collaboration with policymakers and the German Air Force to create a superior European air combat system, while also preparing multiple options for government and military decision-makers.
• Airbus released concept visuals for the new fighter, showcasing a distinct design from the earlier NGF renderings, featuring a twin-engine layout with negative dihedral gull wings, canard foreplanes, and integration with unmanned platforms like the U760 Ravenstorm and Loyal Wingman drones.
• The FCAS program collapsed due to unresolved governance disputes between Airbus and Dassault Aviation over workshare distribution, stalling progress at the Phase 1B Technological Development stage and delaying the original timeline for demonstrator flight testing and aircraft deployment.
• German Defense Minister Boris Pistorius confirmed the NGF project's end and described Team Gen 6 as a viable path forward, while also considering alternatives such as procuring more F-35s or joining other aircraft development initiatives.