July drone digest: Sovereign production takes centre stage at Farnborough
Unveiled at Farnborough, BAE Systems describes the Brontanax as the UK's first British-designed uncrewed autonomous CCA. (Photo: BAE Systems)
Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026 revealed the growing scale of the UK’s uncrewed ambitions, with companies showcasing new CCA, autonomous wingmen and surveillance drones, while sovereign production emerged as a key factor for multiple programmes.
Uncrewed capabilities and programmes were a core focus at the Farnborough International Airshow (FIA) 2026, which ran from 20-24 July.
The Royal Air Force (RAF)’s StormFighter Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme was perhaps one of the most talked-about procurement efforts. The force laid out an aggressive timeline for this initiative, with Air Staff Air Mshl Sir Harv Smyth telling journalists that the RAF wished to become “Europe’s first sixth-generation air force”; a feat that would require fielding a sixth-generation formation before 2030.
Smyth made this announcement at a BAE Systems unveiling ceremony for Brontanax, the company’s entrant in the CCA programme. The platform’s name means “thunder”
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