BAE Systems unveils new uncrewed Brontanax fighter jet designed at Warton at Farnborough Air Show

BAE Systems has unveiled the UK's first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) at the Farnborough International Airshow.

The aircraft, designed and built by engineers at BAE Systems in Warton, is set to be available to enter service before the end of the decade and is named Brontanax, a derivation of the ancient Greek words for thunder and king.

The project behind the unmanned Brontanax, which will complement manned aircraft, delivering additional frontline capability at a lower cost, involved more than 500 BAE Systems employees working with over 75 large companies and SMEs from across Britain’s world leading aerospace sector.

Capable of electronic warfare and precision strikes against airborne and ground targets, Brontanax will operate with frontline combat aircraft such as Typhoon, with Defence Secretary Wes Streeting calling the unveiling ‘testament to the extraordinary talent and innovation across our sovereign defence industry.’

“Built at BAE Systems in Warton by British engineers, backed by British businesses large and small, this aircraft demonstrates that the UK has the skills, the technology and the determination to lead the world in combat air power,” Mr Streeting added.

“We’re investing £300 million in our StormFighter programme to develop an autonomous combat aircraft here in the UK. This launch shows the depth of industrial capability we have here in Britain to help deliver our ambition to become Europe’s first sixth generation air force."

Cutting-edge tech

Chief Of The Air Staff Air Marshal Sir Harv Smyth said: “The RAF is determined to become Europe’s first 6th Generation Air Force, driving innovation and accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technology to stay ahead in an increasingly complex and contested battlespace.

“Working alongside BAE Systems, we are taking a major step towards that ambition, with a prototype expected to fly next year. [It] shows how sovereign defence industry is delivering at pace to support us in being agile, integrated and ready to fly, fight and win.”

Similar in size to a BAE Systems Hawk aircraft, Brontanax is designed to be operated by a Typhoon pilot or mission commander from range, allowing crewed and uncrewed aircraft to operate as a team.

Developed with an open architecture and modular design, it can be easily adapted to stay ahead of evolving threats, maintaining operational relevance and adaptability for years to come. Brontanax also builds on more than 25 years of experience across the Company in uncrewed and autonomous systems.

Speed, adaptability, and scale

Simon Barnes, Group Managing Director of BAE Systems’ Air sector, said: “We recognise armed forces are being challenged to meet the demands of speed, adaptability and scale. Our Collaborative Combat Aircraft will provide the ability to extend the reach of crewed aircraft, generating greater combat mass at lower cost, while keeping pilots out of harm’s way.

“This capability represents a significant company investment in the UK’s future of air power and builds on our long-standing commitment to innovation. Alongside supporting defence priorities, it will strengthen the UK’s sovereign defence ecosystem by creating opportunities for SMEs, suppliers and partners across the country.”

The aircraft is now being prepared for ground-based testing at Warton prior to flight testing within UK airspace.