The German Air Force, in partnership with Airbus Defence and Space, are in the initial stages of developing a new sixth-generation fighter. Sharing the same name as an earlier British UCAV project, the German Future Combat Air System (FCAS) is a separate program, expected to be operational in the 2030–40s. Little is currently known about the project, other than it will likely be a twin-seat "system of systems" aircraft acting as a combat platform as well as controlling UCAVs.[16]