BAE Systems reveals Brontanax CCA

British company BAE Systems has unveiled the UK’s first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA), at the Farnborough International Airshow. The first-of-class CCA, named Brontanax, is intended to provide electronic warfare and precision strike capabilities against airborne and ground targets, the company says.

Operating with frontline combat aircraft such as Typhoon it will enhance combat mass and operational effectiveness, and the company expects it to enter service before the end of the decade.

“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,” says Air Marshal Sir Harv Smyth, Chief of the Air Staff. “Working alongside BAE Systems, we are taking a major step towards that ambition, with a prototype expected to fly next year. Backed by £300 million through the Defence Investment Plan, our Storm Fighter program is transforming future capability, while the launch of Brontanax, the UK’s first autonomous uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft, shows how sovereign defence industry is delivering at pace to support us in being Agile, integrated and ready to fly fight and win.

The prototype aircraft was designed and built at BAE Systems in Warton, Lancashire, home of the UK’s sovereign combat air industrial capability. Development has involved more than 500 BAE Systems employees with a supply chain consisting of more than 75 large companies and SMEs from across the UK.

“We recognise armed forces are being challenged to meet the demands of speed, adaptability and scale,” says Simon Barnes, Group Managing Director BAE Systems Air Sector. “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 jet trainer aircraft, Brontanax is designed to be operated by a Typhoon pilot or mission commander from extended 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, says BAE Systems.

Brontanax builds on more than 25 years of experience across the company in uncrewed and autonomous systems. Designed and delivered through BAE Systems’ FalconWorks team, Brontanax has been funded to date through the company’s self-funded R&D investment, says BAE Systems. It is the latest Uncrewed Aerial System (UAS) to be revealed as part of a wider range of uncrewed products capable of working alongside both current and future frontline platforms to provide affordable and flexible combat mass.

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

The announcement comes after the UK Government published its Defence Investment Plan, which confirmed a £300 million ($573 million) commitment to the Storm Fighter sovereign CCA program, reflecting the aircraft’s increasing importance for the UK armed forces as part of a full force mix. Storm Fighter will provide the Royal Air Force with Europe’s first sixth generation capability, say both the RAF and the company.