Airbus Launches Team Gen 6 With 13 Firms After NGF Collapse
Updated
Updated · The War Zone · Jun 12
Airbus Launches Team Gen 6 With 13 Firms After NGF Collapse
3 articles · Updated · The War Zone · Jun 12
Summary
Airbus Defense and Space formally unveiled Team Gen 6 on June 12, pairing eight German contractors with five Spanish firms to revive Europe’s sixth-generation fighter effort after the New Generation Fighter breakup.
Airbus said the wider FCAS “system of systems” is still progressing, but the crewed jet needs a new industrial setup after Franco-German disputes over workshare and Dassault’s lead role sank the original NGF structure.
Jean-Brice Dumont said Airbus has already put multiple options before defense ministries and wants faster milestones, with a Eurofighter “command fighter” able to team with drones targeted for operational service in 2029.
The new effort still faces a scale problem: analyst Douglas Barrie said Germany and Spain may need only 250 to 300 jets, making profitability difficult unless Team Gen 6 attracts additional partners such as Sweden.