The next phase of Europe's cutting-edge Future Combat Air System (FCAS) has been given the green light by German legislators -- according to recent news. Jointly developed by Germany, France, and Spain, the new fighter (and support system) is being developed to replace the now-aging Eurofighter/Typhoon, French-made Rafale jets, and Spanish EF-18 Hornets by around 2040.

The announcement comes after a budget committee of the Bundestag lower house approved Phase 1B and Phase 2 of the program scheduled to commence between 2021 and 2027. Official documentation seen by the AFP highlights that these phases will likely cost around 4.5 billion Euros ($5.3 billion).

The FCAS program is not just about a new type of fighter and includes plans for drones and an ultrafast communications network called the "combat cloud". This system will utilize artificial intelligence capabilities to enhance all elements of the system. It will also include "remote carrier vehicles" to enhance the kinetic capabilities of both manned and unmanned elements of the system.