Team Tempest partner, Slipstream Design, exhibits at Farnborough International Air Show

Slipstream Design exhibits at Farnborough International Air Show as a partner of Team Tempest, the enterprise working to create the UK’s Future Combat Air System

Slipstream Engineering Design, a fast-growing technology SME, is exhibiting at Farnborough International Air Show 2022 as a partner of Team Tempest, the enterprise working to create the UK’s Future Combat Air System (FCAS). 

The company, through its work with Leonardo UK, is part of the UK FCAS exhibition that adjoins the BAE Systems stand at Hangar 5. The FCAS zone is displaying the technological advances being made across the UK in order to deliver a 6th generation combat air capability into service in 2035.    

Team Tempest is a technology initiative through which the Ministry of Defence is collaborating with UK industry partners to advance combat air technology. The founding industry members are Leonardo UK, BAE Systems, Rolls Royce and MBDA UK, each of which is supported by UK-wide supply chains of innovative SMEs like Slipstream.

Team Tempest is delivering world firsts to advance technical capabilities and the project’s core platform aircraft will deploy new, game changing technology. Currently in the concept phase, it was announced at Farnborough Air Show this week that a new flying demonstrator will be unveiled within the next five years. 

The flying demonstrator will be a piloted supersonic aircraft, testing a range of new technologies including the integration of stealth compatible features. This is the first time the UK will have developed a new fast aircraft using 21st century technology.

Work is rapidly gathering pace on the FCAS programme, with 6th generation integrated sensing and non-kinetic effects (ISANKE) capabilities being developed by Leonardo at its sites in Edinburgh and Luton. This is being supported by companies across the UK including Slipstream Engineering Design, which is based in West Yorkshire.  

Dr. Mike Roberts, Technical Director and Co-founder of Slipstream Engineering Design said:

‘Being part of the Future Combat Air System development programme is a huge privilege for Slipstream Design. We will contribute specialised Digital RF expertise, allowing cutting edge technologies to be developed at speed. As a business we have a proven heritage in accelerated product research and development that will help to realise this next generation capability for the UK.’ 

To support the programme, Team Tempest is committed to attracting the brightest minds and creating ‘Generation Tempest’. Over 2,500 highly skilled people across the UK are currently involved in the programme at combat air sector industrial hubs in locations including Scotland, the North West and South West of England. As the programme develops, it will offer attractive employment opportunities in STEM subjects such as industrial digitisation, artificial intelligence and data analytics.

Sarah Gregory, Commercial Director of Slipstream Engineering Design added: 

‘A core part of the Future Combat Air System development programme is to bring on the next generation of technologists and innovators. Slipstream Design is deeply committed to nurturing talent in our field of Digital RF.

We have a proven model for accelerating career development. Our team solves touch technical challenges within a supported, entrepreneurial setting. This combination allows us to bring on talent quickly. The Future Air Combat System programme is giving us the confidence to grow and invest. As an SME based in the Yorkshire we are on track to create many highly skilled jobs for our region and sector.’      

Slipstream Design will be at the Farnborough Air Show until Friday 22nd July as part of the UK Supply Chain section of the FCAS exhibition in Hangar 5. With over 80,000 visitors expected, it’s set to be a busy week.