Indra to coordinate spanish participation in the next development phase of the FCAS european defence program

Indra will coordinate the Spanish participation in the next phase of the NGWS/FCAS program, in which Spanish industry will play a part equal to that of Germany and France, and which will address the development of different demonstrators that will allow the in-flight validation of a whole set of next-generation technologies that will reach maturity during the course of the project.

The three Participating States of the FCAS program, Germany, Spain and France, have successfully concluded negotiations regarding the content of its next phase, so that it is now ready for the respective national approval processes to begin.

This paves the way for the industrial contract to be signed in the coming months for the definitive launch of phase 1B/2, guaranteeing compliance with the established timeline so that the demonstrators can fly in 2027 and the system can enter service in 2040.

During the negotiation of the agreement, Spanish industry achieved an equal position in terms of work (quantity and quality) and governance with our French and German partners, in line with the spirit of cooperation that inspires the program.

Indra has played its role as National Coordinator throughout the entire process, defending the interests of Spanish industry, supporting its integration and promoting internal coordination. In the same way, Indra maintains an equal position with the other two coordinators, Dassault and Airbus.

This new phase will address the evolution and maturation of the next generation technologies (propulsion, maneuverability, radar sensors, optronics, electronic warfare, connectivity, artificial intelligence, interoperability, etc.) that will make the NGWS/FCAS the most advanced air combat system in the world.

These developments will be tested in different demonstrators - fighter aircraft demonstrator, unmanned platforms, sensors, engine, combat cloud, etc. - in order to validate the new technologies in flight and ensure that they offer the necessary degree of maturity to subsequently implement them in the final design of the NGWS/FCAS.

The aim of the program is to ensure that Europe has a true 'system of systems' that offers an air combat capability far beyond that of any other military aircraft. The NGWS/FCAS will integrate a next-generation aircraft that will fly integrated with several unmanned platforms (remote carriers) thanks to an advanced combat cloud, which in turn will enable real-time information exchange with all types of ground, air, naval and satellite platforms.

The development of all these civil and military dual technologies will have an enormous impact on the entire value chain of Spanish industry, improving its competitiveness and acting as a driving force to position it at on the international stage.

This opens a stage of intense research and development work that will give a strong boost to Spanish industry and will require the participation of companies and research centers from all over the country.

The FCAS program offers the opportunity of developing Spanish talent and technological capabilities and ensuring that the sovereignty and knowledge acquired remain in Spain.

Phase 1B/2 of the NGWS/FCAS program has the same industrial scheme as the one already established for Phase 1A:

• The National Coordinators, Dassault, Airbus D&S GmbH and Indra are the co-contractors for the cross-cooperation activities: the consolidation of the NGWS system of systems, the inter-pillar coherence and the SIMLAB development and validation laboratory.
• In the Next Generation Fighter Pillar, led by Dassault Aviation, Airbus D&S SAU is the Main Partner alongside Airbus D&S GmbH.
• In the Engine Pillar, Safran Aircraft Engines and MTU Aero Engines will form a Joint Venture that will act as Main Contractor, with ITP Aero as Main Partner.
• In the Remote Carriers Pillar, led by Airbus D&S GmbH, SATNUS (a consortium comprising GMV, SENER Aeroespacial and TECNOBIT) is the Main Partner alongside MBDA.
• In the Systems/Combat Cloud System Pillar, led by Airbus D&S GmbH, Indra is the Main Partner alongside Thales.
• In the Sensors Pillar, Indra is the Main Contractor, with Thales and the German FCMS (a consortium made up of Hensoldt, Rohde&Schwarz, Diehl and ESG) as the Main Partners.
• In the ELOT (Low Observable Technologies) Pillar, Airbus D&S SAU is the Main Contractor, with Dassault and Airbus D&S GmbH as the Main Partners.

About Indra

Indra (www.indracompany.com) is one of the leading global technology and consulting companies and the technological partner for core business operations of its customers world-wide. It is a world-leader in providing proprietary solutions in specific segments in Transport and Defence markets, and a leading firm in Digital Transformation Consultancy and Information Technologies in Spain and Latin America through its affiliate Minsait. Its business model is based on a comprehensive range of proprietary products, with a high-value focus and with a high innovation component. In the 2020 financial year, Indra achieved revenue of €3.043 billion, with around 48,000 employees, a local presence in 46 countries and business operations in over 140 countries.