A significant step in global defense innovation was marked today with the establishment of Edgewing—a joint enterprise uniting top aerospace firms BAE Systems (UK), Leonardo (Italy), and Japan Aircraft Industrial Enhancement Co. Ltd. (Japan).
Edgewing is tasked with designing and developing the sixth-generation combat aircraft and will act as the design authority throughout the aircraft’s expected lifecycle, projected to extend past 2070.
The new venture will be vital to achieving the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP)’s key milestones, including entering service by 2035. It also represents an unprecedented trilateral industrial alliance between Europe and Asia.
Marco Zoff, former Managing Director of Leonardo Aircraft Division, has been appointed as Edgewing’s inaugural CEO, bringing decades of experience in multinational aerospace leadership and strategic partnerships.
With its headquarters in the UK and teams based in all three partner countries, Edgewing is strategically positioned to align operations with GCAP and foster close collaboration.
GCAP holds tremendous importance for national security and economic growth across all three nations. Through technology sharing and integrated supply chains, it will secure sovereign combat air capabilities well into the future.
