Future Aviation Capabilities

This inquiry was originally conducted during the 2019 Parliament and was interrupted by the 2024 general election. In November 2024 the re-established committee agreed to complete the inquiry. Following the conclusion of its first inquiry into aviation procurement, the Committee is now launching a new follow-on inquiry which will focus on future aviation capabilities. The Committee welcomes written evidence on any or all of the topics below, to be submitted by Monday 23 October: Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) : What will be the key challenges in delivering GCAP’s aim to deliver a 6th generation combat aircraft by 2035, and what should the MoD be doing now to address them? What lessons can be learnt from previous large multilateral defence programmes such as Typhoon? How can the MoD ensure that GCAP attracts and retains political and public support over the next decade? With full-scale production of the new aircraft not expected to be underway until the 2030s, how can the MoD and industry ensure that an appropriately skilled workforce is retained in the interim? Rotary wing What are the reasons for, and the implications of, delays to the New Medium Lift helicopter procurement? Is planned investment across the rotary wing fleet appropriately balanced to deliver the capabilities required? Advanced jet trainer With the Hawk T2 expected to leave service in 2040, and synthetic training becoming increasingly prevalent, how should the MoD approach the procurement of its next advanced jet trainer? Munitions What is your assessment of the MoD’s vision, strategy and planning of future airborne weapons systems across the combat fleet? Is the air mobility fleet suitably equipped for the transport of such weapons? Defence industrial strategy How can the MoD ensure that these procurements best contribute to a sustainable and thriving defence industrial base, by building and maintaining appropriately skilled, effective and active defence manufacturing teams? How should exportability be built into these programmes from the outset, and what should the MoD, and the Government more broadly, be doing to maximise their export potential?