UK reveals the design of its crewed supersonic stealth demonstrator for GCAP

Edgewing/GCAP fighter

The UK showed the design of the flying demonstrator meant to de-risk GCAP: a crewed, supersonic, low-observable jet with one cockpit, twin engines, canted twin tails and a delta wing. Its structure is being built with robotic and digital assembly at BAE Systems sites in Lancashire, with first flight then targeted for 2027.

• Test pilots from BAE Systems, Rolls-Royce and the RAF had flown it for more than 300 hours in a simulator.
• Purpose: test stealth-compatible features and new manufacturing methods before the GCAP design is fixed.
• Then-target: first flight in 2027; GCAP in service in 2035.