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December 10, 2020 | International, Aerospace

L’Espagne concrétise son entrée dans le système de combat aérien du futur (Scaf)

SIMON CHODORGE

PUBLIÉ LE 09/12/2020 À 14H00

Après plusieurs mois de négociations, l'Espagne grimpe à bord du système de combat aérien du futur (Scaf). Airbus a annoncé le 9 décembre la signature d'un contrat-cadre faisant de lui le maître d'oeuvre du projet en Espagne.

Il ne faut plus parler d'un avion de combat franco-allemand. Mercredi 9 décembre, l'Espagne a concrétisé son entrée dans le système de combat aérien du futur (Scaf). La nouvelle a été annoncée par Airbus, l'un des principaux acteurs du projet. Pour rappel, le programme Scaf doit remplacer le Rafale de Dassault Aviation et l'Eurofighter à l'horizon 2040.

Dix mois de négociations

En février, l'Espagne avait déjà signé une lettre d'intention avec la France et l'Allemagne sur son intégration dans le projet. Désormais, les entreprises espagnoles vont pouvoir rentrer dans le vif du sujet. “L'industrie espagnole a signé un premier contrat-cadre portant sur la phase de démonstration du Scaf”, écrit Airbus dans un communiqué. “Cette signature clôt dix mois de négociations destinées à intégrer l'Espagne en tant que troisième pilier national de ce programme”, ajoute l'avionneur européen.

Dans le cadre de cet accord, Airbus va diriger les projets Low Observability et New Generation Fighter (NGF) du Scaf en Espagne. Plus précisément, le contrat porte sur des travaux de développement pour les premiers démonstrateurs du Scaf. Airbus Espagne va donc plancher sur des technologie de furtivité (Low Observability) et sur le New Generation Fighter (NGF), l'élément principal du futur système de combat aérien.

300 millions d'euros investis

En France, Dassault Aviation assure la maîtrise d'oeuvre du NGF tandis qu'Airbus a été sélectionné comme partenaire principal. Si chaque pays a désigné son champion, une équipe tri-nationale travaille également sur le projet à Arcueil (Val-de-Marne). Les trois pays espèrent ainsi faire voler un prototype de NGF au second semestre 2026.

Contacté par L'Usine Nouvelle, Airbus n'a pas précisé le montant du contrat-cadre. Le groupe européen précise tout de même que 300 millions d'euros ont été investis par les États depuis le début du programme.

https://www.usinenouvelle.com/article/l-espagne-concretise-son-entree-dans-le-systeme-de-combat-aerien-du-futur-scaf.N1038274

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