BAE Systems has unveiled Brontanax, the first autonomous collaborative combat drone developed entirely in the United Kingdom.
Presented during the Farnborough International Airshow, the new system was designed to operate alongside crewed aircraft, expanding the combat capabilities of the British Royal Air Force (RAF) with a more affordable and flexible alternative. The project brings together more than 500 professionals and over 75 British companies from the aerospace sector.
Designed for electronic warfare missions and precision strikes against ground and airborne targets, Brontanax will be able to operate alongside Typhoon fighter jets under the remote control of a pilot or mission commander. The aircraft features an open architecture and modular configuration, characteristics that will facilitate future upgrades to keep pace with evolving battlefield threats. It is expected to enter service before the end of this decade.
The British government considers Brontanax a milestone for the country’s defense industry. The program is part of StormFighter, an initiative that received an investment of US$402 million to accelerate the development of autonomous aircraft and support the goal of transforming the RAF into Europe’s first sixth-generation air force. Officials emphasized that the project demonstrates the country’s technological and industrial capabilities in the defense sector.
According to BAE Systems, the development of Brontanax draws on more than 25 years of experience in unmanned systems and benefited from over US$536 million in company-funded research and development investment in 2025 alone. The prototype is already being prepared for ground testing at the Warton facility, while the first evaluation flights in British airspace are scheduled to take place next year.
The future of combat air is here.
Today we unveiled the UK’s first British-designed Collaborative Combat Aircraft at @FIAFarnborough.
Built in Britain. Ready for the fight 🔗 https://t.co/6ERLuSAUep pic.twitter.com/KBMbb4Yd82
— BAE Systems (@BAESystemsplc) July 22, 2026
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Source and images: BAE Systems | X @BAESystemsplc | This content was created with the help of AI and reviewed by the editorial team
