BAE Systems unveils new British-made drones as UK defence secretary hails pivotal moment
The British defence secretary Wes Streeting has praised the introduction of the new British-made ‘loyal wingmen’ drones, calling it a “groundbreaking moment for UK defence,” reports BritPanorama.
During a presentation at the Farnborough Air Show on Wednesday, Mr. Streeting welcomed the Brontanax, an unmanned fighter jet developed by BAE Systems. Designed and manufactured in Lancashire, the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) is operated remotely by a pilot, enabling both crewed and uncrewed aircraft to function collaboratively.
Often referred to as “loyal wingmen,” these CCAs can fly alongside manned aircraft and are expected to cost approximately one-third of the price of traditional fighter jets. Mr. Streeting affirmed that the drone aims to take to the skies by 2027.
“We will adopt this as our operational concept demonstrator, and we’re going to get it in the air in 2027,” he stated. “This is a groundbreaking moment for UK defence, not just for air power, but for reindustrialisation.”
BAE Systems indicated that preparations are underway for ground testing of the aircraft at Warton, which will precede flight testing in UK airspace. Mr. Streeting remarked, “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.”
He further noted, “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.”
In addition to the Brontanax announcement, Mr. Streeting highlighted an investment of £300 million into the StormFighter programme, aimed at developing an autonomous combat aircraft 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,” he noted.
BAE Systems also revealed that it received a contract extension from the Ministry of Defence (MoD) valued at £708 million to further advance the next generation combat aircraft under the Global Combat Air Programme. Richard Berthon, the MoD’s director of future combat air, stated, “This £708 million investment demonstrates the UK’s continued commitment to maintaining a world-leading combat air capability and a freedom of action which ensures our Armed Forces remain equipped to meet future threats.”
This announcement comes as part of the recently unveiled defence investment plan (DIP), which allocated a £15 billion increase in defence spending. Concurrently, business secretary Jonathan Reynolds is attending the Farnborough Airshow to announce a £600 million package to support British aerospace.
Prime Minister Andy Burnham, in a video message, characterised the air show opening as “a big deal,” acknowledging the significance of the event. Although he could not attend, he expressed his intention to “reindustrialise this nation” to create desirable jobs and opportunities.
Mr. Burnham emphasised collaboration with businesses at the air show, remarking that the civil aerospace and defence industries combined would support half a million jobs across the UK by 2030, with two-thirds of those opportunities located outside London and the South East.
“I’ve seen those jobs for myself and the difference they make. It is a real success story, and so we want to go further,” he concluded.
