BAE Systems
Development work on the British-led Tempest future stealth fighter is gathering pace, including trials of a Martin-Baker ejection seat using a rocket sled. Tests of the crew escape system provide very tangible — and dramatic — evidence of progress made in the program so far. However, it is just one element of a multi-faceted development effort that will face many challenges if it’s to succeed in getting a new-generation crewed fighter into service by 2035, as planned.