Show Notes
In our first episode of this exciting six-part series, we provide an insight into Team Tempest UK - comprising the Royal Air Force Rapid Capability Office, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Rolls Royce and MBDA - who together are develop the technologies, knowledge, skills and expertise needed to deliver a Next Generation Combat Air System capable of operating in the 2040+ environment. Part 1 – Tempest: A technological driver for future security and prosperityWe begin the series by taking a look back on what has been achieved so far on the Tempest programme, reviewing its journey to date including a year of unprecedented challenges, followed by a wider exploration of its future direction and its technological and economic value to the UK aerospace industry and the nation’s future prosperity. Host Zevi Watmough is joined by Michael Christie, Director, Future Combat Air Systems at BAE Systems, Andrew Howard, Director Major Air Programmes at Leonardo and Defence Journalist, Analyst and Historian, Francis Tusa.
Part 2 – Nurturing Generation Tempest (starting at 30:10) Tempest is a once in a generation opportunity to shape one of the UK’s most exciting engineering programmes.We asked STEM Ambassadors drawn from Team Tempest to share their thoughts on how we can best nurture Generation Tempest, to awaken their potential as engineers. We speak to BAE Systems Engineering Degree Apprentice, Christian, Leonardo Systems Team Leader, Sophie, Rolls-Royce Design Engineer, Rafael, and MBDA, Principal Systems Engineer Aditi.
Find out more about Team Tempest Follow us on Twitter for the latest news on Team Tempest Learn more about the opportunities for #GenerationTempest on Instagram Catch up our story so far on YouTube
More from Future Horizons: The Tempest Podcast
Generation Tempest is a once-in-a-generation opportunity for the UK’s emerging engineering talent to shape the future of UK combat air. But what does it mean to be a part of Generation Tempest and how can you become a part of it? In this special early careers episode of Future Horizons, we hear from some of those already helping to design the UK's next generation combat air system and their experiences of working as part of Team Tempest. Host Zevi Watmough is then joined by Team Tempest partners who discuss the different career paths available to those taking their first steps into UK aerospace and how personal skills and careers can be developed on the UK's most exciting engineering programmes. Discover more about the latest career opportunities with Team Tempest at www.tempestcareers.com
The Strategic Defence Review described international alliances and partnerships as the bedrock of global stability becoming even more important to the UK in the context of growing risk and uncertainty. It referred to the Global Combat Air Programme as an example of capability collaboration and a powerful signal of the UK's ambition to bring partners from different geographic regions closer together in support of collective security. To discuss the importance of global relationships with the UK's future combat air system, including GCAP, host Zevi Watmough is joined by:
The previous episode of Future Horizons focused on the rewarding opportunities for Senior Qualified Experienced Professionals. In this episode, we take a visit to the 2025 Royal International Air Tattoo (RIAT) to meet some of the young people who are already working as part of "Generation Tempest" and discover why events such as RIAT are so important to inspiring the next generation of engineers and pilots. We hear also from senior leaders on how developing interest in Science, Technology, Engineering & Maths is vital to not only to shaping the future of UK combat air but is a key factor in the security and resilience of our country.
UK Government estimates that UK defence spending supports around 434,000 highly skilled and well-paid jobs in all regions and nations of the UK. Despite this, the national skills shortage remains a critical challenge in the Defence sector. In this episode we therefore look at what Team Tempest and the development of the UK’s FCAS capability, has to offer Suitably Qualified Experienced Professionals and why a career in the UK aerospace industry should be of interest to all ages and skill sets. Joining host Zevi Watmough to discuss the topic further are:
In the first two episodes of this series, we explored the capability being developed by Team Tempest that will enable the UK, and particularly the Royal Air Force, to protect the country and meet potential threats. In this episode we focus on the benefits that Team Tempest will deliver to the UK’s prosperity. The UK government’s commitment to increase defence spending to 2.5% of GDP by April 2027, with an ambition to increase to 3% in the next Parliament, as economic and fiscal conditions allow, will see the biggest sustained increase in defence spending since the Cold War. Joining host Zevi Watmough to discuss how Team Tempest and the wider UK Defence sector are important contributors to the country’s future economic growth are: