An illustrative representation of the modular nature of the Aeralis aircraft. (Aeralis)
The Aeralis modular jet aircraft could offer the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) “options” regarding development of the uncrewed additive capabilities required for the future Tempest fighter following the recent cancellation of the Mosquito programme, company CEO Tristan Crawford has told Janes.
Speaking ahead of Farnborough Airshow, Crawford said that, following the MoD's announcement in late June that it was axing the Mosquito ‘loyal wingman' programme, the modular jet that Aeralis is developing with support from the UK Royal Air Force (RAF) Rapid Capabilities Office (RCO) could be a vehicle for exploring future options.
“Mosquito was a Rapid Capabilities Office initiative to develop and explore uncrewed vehicles very fast, and I know that they will be taking a lot of learning from that process. In terms of Aeralis, we are here to create a flexible air vehicle solution that can be ‘pivoted into' – clearly in the [crewed] trainer market, but also in the uncrewed market as well,” Crawford said. “This gives the MoD options, and certainly that is the way our current framework contracts with the RAF and the MoD are operating – they can use our system to explore those options for the future. I won't comment on whether the MoD will use us to do that, but we are certainly able to provide that space for them to look at.”
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