40 AEROSPACE AND DEFENCE
Marco Zoff will be the first chief executive of Edgewing. Formerly the managing director of Leonardo Aircraft Division, Zoff brings extensive leadership experience in international aerospace collaboration and innovation.
He said: “We are incredibly excited to launch Edgewing at the heart of the Global Combat Air Programme.
ON THE RIGHT FLIGHTPATH
Work continues in Lancashire to develop the next generation of combat aircraft with positive news coming out of the Paris Air Show in June.
The industry partners in the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) used the show to mark a major milestone in the multinational project, hailing it as “a new chapter in global defence collaboration.”
They chose Paris for the launch of Edgewing, a joint venture bringing together international aerospace leaders BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy) and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd (Japan).
Edgewing will be accountable for the design and development of the next generation combat aircraft and will remain the design authority for the life of the jet which is expected to go out beyond 2070.
The company will have operations and joint teams working in each of the partner nations. However, it will be headquartered in the UK.
In a statement announcing the JV, the partners said: “The newly formed entity will play a central role in achieving the programme’s ambitious goals – including the in-service date of 2035 – while setting a new benchmark for trilateral industrial partnership across Europe and Asia.”
SUPPORTING OUR COMMUNITIES
By Paul Earnshaw, head of communications, people and communities
BAE Systems is committed to supporting the communities in which our colleagues live and work and as part of my role I have the pleasure in finding organisations and projects that align with our community investment aims.
Those are: supporting the Armed Forces and veterans’ community, help promote community inclusion, support mental health projects or the regeneration of communities near our sites, or activities that encourage young people towards STEM and help develop employability skills.
A great example of the partnerships we’ve developed over recent years, where our collaboration is making a difference, are those we have with the three Youth Zones across the County: Blackburn and Darwen, Inspire (Chorley) and Vault (Preston).
Our relationship with each of them is at a different stage but they are all built around a common purpose – how can we help the young people in our communities maximise their potential?
That purpose has seen us collaborate around ‘Maker Zones’ where we look to provide inspiration and lift aspirations of young people but then help them develop the skills, knowledge and behaviours they’ll need to succeed in the world of work.
Our investment across the last three years in the Youth Zones totals more then £600,000. I’ve seen first-hand the hugely positive impact they are having.
Find out more how BAE Systems are supporting local communities across Lancashire and beyond:
https://www.baesystems.com/ en/sustainability/supporting-our-communities
“By uniting the strengths of our talented people in UK, Italy and Japan, we are not only delivering the next-generation combat air system – we aim to set a new global standard for partnership, innovation and trust.
“Together, we will push boundaries, embrace agility, enhance our national supply chains and create a legacy of security and prosperity for our nations and future generations.”
Work continues on the programme’s sixth- generation fighter demonstrator, ahead of a first flight event anticipated before mid-2027, with Lancashire planemakers at BAE Systems’ Warton and Samlesbury plant playing their part in its development.
There is a global race to produce sixth- generation combat aircraft, with the US pushing ahead with its F-47 project and South Korea looking to join in with its own programme. China is also working on developing a fighter plane.
Meanwhile, the Future Combat Air System (FCAS) programme involving Germany, France and Spain, has run into problems over how to share the work, according to reports coming out of Paris. There is speculation that France may decide to go it alone.
TACKLING THE SKILLS CHALLENGE
Defence spending is on the rise – the question remains, can the supply chain step up and deliver? Addressing the well-recognised skills shortage will play a key part in answering that question.
The Commons defence select committee warned in March that a shortage of skilled workers was among the issues as the sector struggled to meet increased production demands.
Andrew Kinniburgh, director general of Make UK Defence, spoke of a long-term skills crisis, with fewer young people pursuing defence-related apprenticeships. Trade unions have also warned that defence and aerospace are ‘disproportionately affected’ by skills shortages.
As part of efforts to tackle the issue, Paula Gill, chief executive of the North West Aerospace Alliance, has spearheaded the setting up of The Northern Skills Council. It began life 18 months ago, on a mission to bridge the gap between industry and academia.
The initiative is very much in its early stages but has attracted the support of big players such as BAE Systems, Airbus and Safron Nacelles, as well as companies further down the supply chain. Some 40 companies in Lancashire have got involved.
So far, its work has been concentrating on finding out from industry leaders what their challenges and issues are around skills. Paula says: “This is very much industry led, we’re looking at skills requirements and how industry needs to work together.
“It’s about having a much more informed approach to the skills we need so we are able to work with universities and colleges, to make sure those necessary skills are being delivered.”
As well as looking at industry’s requirements against what curriculums are delivering, the council also aims to work with colleges and universities in addressing their challenges. She says: “It is all about having one guiding voice.”
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