Why is the future Anglo-Japanese fighter gonna be bigger than F-22?
The Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) is a joint project between Japan, the UK and Italy to develop a sixth-generation stealth fighter jet that will replace their current fleets of F-35s, Typhoons and F-2s by the mid-2030s12 The GCAP is expected to merge the development of the UK-led Tempest and the Japan-led F-X, two ambitious and innovative programs that aim to create a combat aircraft that will provide speed, stealth, advanced sensors and artificial intelligence.
One of the most noticeable features of the GCAP fighter is its large size. According to some reports, the GCAP fighter will have a length of 22 meters and a wingspan of 15 meters, making it bigger than the F-22 Raptor, which has a length of 18.9 meters and a wingspan of 13.6 meters. Why is the GCAP fighter going to be bigger than the F-22, and what are the advantages and disadvantages of this design choice?
There are several possible reasons for the GCAP fighter’s large size. First, a larger fighter can carry more fuel, weapons and sensors, giving it a longer range, greater payload and better situational awareness. This is especially important for Japan, which faces a vast and contested airspace in the Indo-Pacific region, and needs to deter and counter potential threats from China and North Korea. A fighter with larger dimensions can also accommodate more advanced technologies, such as hypersonic weapons, directed-energy weapons, swarming drones and electronic warfare systems, that could give it an edge over future adversaries.
Second, a big fighter can have a lower radar cross-section (RCS), which is a measure of how visible it is to enemy radars. This is because a larger fighter can have more internal space to store weapons and fuel, reducing the need for external attachments that increase the RCS. An aircraft with this design philosophy can also have more surface area to apply radar-absorbing materials and coatings, and more room to incorporate stealthy features, such as angled edges, serrated panels and embedded antennas. A lower RCS can enhance the survivability and effectiveness of the GCAP fighter in a contested environment, where stealth is a key factor.
Third, a larger fighter can have a higher performance, especially in terms of speed and maneuverability. This is because a plane with this kind of design can have more powerful engines, larger air intakes and bigger wings, which can generate more thrust, lift and drag. Such aircraft can also have more control surfaces, such as flaps, ailerons and rudders, which can improve its agility and stability. A higher performance can give the GCAP fighter an advantage in air-to-air combat, where speed and maneuverability are crucial.
However, such a design decision also has some drawbacks. First, a larger fighter is more expensive to develop, produce and maintain, as it requires more materials, components and labor. It also consumes more fuel, which increases the operational costs. A larger fighter may also face logistical challenges, such as finding suitable bases, hangars and carriers to accommodate it.
In conclusion, the GCAP fighter is going to be bigger than the F-22, because it aims to achieve a higher level of capability and versatility, in response to the evolving security challenges in the 21st century. However, the GCAP fighter also faces some trade-offs and limitations, as a result of its large size. The GCAP fighter will have to balance the benefits and costs of its design, and find the optimal combination of size, stealth and performance, to meet its operational requirements and strategic objectives.
