Lancashire-built first UK designed Collaborative Combat Aircraft unveiled

BAE Systems has unveiled the UK’s first uncrewed autonomous collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) at the Farnborough International Airshow.

Built in Lancashire by the defence giant, it is designed to complement existing and future crewed combat aircraft, delivering additional frontline capability at a lower cost.

The first-of-its class CCA - named Brontanax - is intended to provide electronic warfare and precision-strike capabilities against airborne and ground targets.

The prototype aircraft was designed and built by engineers at BAE Systems at its plant in Warton.

More than 500 BAE Systems employees have been involved in the aircraft’s development to date, working with more than 75 large companies and SMEs from across Britain’s aerospace sector. 

Operating with frontline combat aircraft such as Typhoon – also built in Lancashire - it has been designed to enhance combat mass and operational effectiveness, with plans for it to enter service before the end of the decade.

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

Defence secretary Wes Streeting said: “The unveiling of Brontanax, the UK’s first uncrewed autonomous collaborative combat aircraft, is a 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.

“We’re investing £300m in our Storm Fighter 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.”

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.”

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.

The announcement comes after the Government published its Defence Investment Plan, which confirmed a £300m commitment to the Storm Fighter sovereign autonomous CCA programme.

Storm Fighter will provide the Royal Air Force with Europe’s first sixth-generation capability.

Brontanax builds on more than 25 years of experience across BAE Systems in uncrewed and autonomous systems.

Designed and delivered through the group’s FalconWorks team, Brontanax has been funded to date through the group’s £400m self-funded research and development investment.

It is the latest uncrewed air system (UAS) to be revealed as part of a wider range of uncrewed products capable of working alongside both current and future frontline platforms.