Leonardo, a founding member of the UK's "Tempest" combat air partnership, will use the airliner to test new technologies developed by the program. Along with the Ministry of Defence and UK Tempest Partners BAE Systems, Rolls Royce, and MBDA, they are actively conducting various tests and demonstrations, including "Excalibur," to ensure the successful delivery of GCAP within the given timeline., 2Excel conducted an in-depth engineering study on the 757 airframes.
The team is now ready to modify a second aircraft, a commercial jet purchased from Titan Airways, which has already arrived at 2Excel’s facility in Lasham, Hampshire. The contract includes modifying the 757, conducting flight tests, securing certification, and obtaining approval from the CAA. The "Excalibur" aircraft will be modified to incorporate the integrated sensors, non-kinetic effects , and integrated communications systems developed as part of GCAP. Scientists and engineers will assess the sensors and communication systems on the aircraft during test flights in the next three years.
“The Excalibur program will help us to accelerate the development of advanced electronics for the ISANKE & ICS domain via early flight testing, which can take place in parallel with the wider development of the core platform," said Andrew Howard, Director of Future Combat Air/GCAP UK, Leonardo UK.