Excalibur aircraft progresses on schedule for future combat air system tests

The Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft (FTA), part of the UK’s Future Combat Air System project and the tri-national Global Combat Air Program, is progressing as scheduled. 2Excel Aviation is modifying a Boeing 757 to accommodate the sensor package being developed for both FCAS and GCAP.

Leonardo, serving as the UK's industrial sensor lead in these programs, has collaborated closely with 2Excel to define the FTA’s configuration. Both companies anticipate that the FTA could be showcased at the next Farnborough Air Show with its full fairing configuration and some elements of the FCAS/GCAP’s Integrated Sensing and Non-Kinetic Effects & Integrated Communications System (ISANKE & ICS) installed.

Initially, 2Excel created a digital twin of the Boeing 757 and conducted an intensive flight test program to validate the digital model's accuracy. The trials took place at Boscombe Down and involved maneuvers such as stalls and three-point landings. Approximately 50 landings were performed, completing the campaign in about half the expected time.