Yesterday, BAE Systems unveiled the UK's first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) at the Farnborough International Airshow. Designed to extend combat mass for armed forces by complementing existing and future crewed aircraft, the Brontanax is expected to deliver additional frontline capability at a lower cost.
The prototype aircraft was designed and built by engineers at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, home of the UK’s sovereign combat air industrial capability. More than 500 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.
The first-of-its-class CCA is intended to provide electronic warfare and precision strike capabilities against airborne and ground targets. Operating with frontline combat aircraft such as Typhoon, it is expected to enter service before the end of the decade.
Built in Warton by British engineers, the aircraft is similar in size to the 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 adapted to stay ahead of evolving threats, maintaining operational relevance and adaptability.
The announcement comes after the UK Government published its Defense Investment Plan, which confirmed a £300 million (~$341 million USD) commitment to the Storm Fighter sovereign autonomous CCA program, reflecting the aircraft’s increasing importance for the armed forces as part of a full force mix.
Designed and delivered by the FalconWorks team at BAE, Brontanax has been funded through internal research and development investment.
The aircraft is now being prepared for ground-based testing at Warton before flight testing within UK airspace.
