Air Warfare

BAE unveils Brontanax, a UK-designed CCA drone

The Brontanax drone, roughly the size of a BAE Hawk trainer jet, was unveiled by newly-installed Defence Secretary Wes Streeting.

By Tim Martin and Aaron Mehta on July 22, 2026 5:37 am
The BAE Systems Brontanax CCA drone was unveiled at Farnborough 2026. (BAE Systems)

FARNBOROUGH — BAE Systems today revealed the Brontanax, a new collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) loyal wingman drone designed for use by the United Kingdom.

The drone, roughly the size of a BAE Hawk trainer jet, was unveiled with newly-installed Defence Secretary Wes Streeting at hand during the third day of the Farnborough Airshow.

Brontanax is “intended to provide electronic warfare and precision strike capabilities against airborne and ground targets,” per a company release. Its release comes days after British officials announced a plan for UK-developed CCAs under the “Storm Fighter” moniker.

This is a breaking news story and will be updated.

PHOTOS: Farnborough 2026

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PHOTOS: Farnborough 2026

A guest poses in front of the Farnborough 2026 logo during day one of the Farnborough airshow. (Breaking Defense)
Air demonstrations are a key part of the Farnborough experience. (Breaking Defense)
VIPs got to sit in the cockpit of the GCAP model during the Farnborough airshow. A joint British-Italian-Japanese next-gen fighter program, GCAP is the star of the event. (Breaking Defense)
The main event hall at the Farnborough International Airshow welcomes guests. (Breaking Defense)
It's not all business at Farnborough. Steel and alloy producer Alleima had people lined up for their take on the infamous claw game. (Breaking Defense)
Everyone needs to eat at Farnborough, and there are a number of trucks lined up to help attendees. (Breaking Defense)
Beta Technologies showed off a new version of its ALIA electric aircraft. (Breaking Defense)
Putting together an airshow is no easy feat, and workers were rushing to put the literal finishing touches on the hall as attendees began arriving Monday morning. (Breaking Defense)
De Havilland Canada had perhaps the most striking plane design on the ground at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. (Breaking Defense)
Saab’s JAS-39 Gripen showed off a stylish livery during the 2026 Farnborough Airshow. (Breaking Defense)
A US Army CH-47 Chinook helicopter rests on the tarmac at the Farnborough International Airshow at the United Kingdom on July 21, 2026. (Breaking Defense)
Defense firm General Atomics presented its model Collaborative Combat Aircraft, also known as a drone wingman, at the Farnborough International Airshow on July 21, 2026. (Breaking Defense)
An Airbus A-400M Airlifter sits on display at the Farnborough airshow on July 21, 2026. (Breaking Defense)
European defense firm MBDA is working with US firm General Atomics to integrate the SPEAR miniature cruise missile onto the MQ-9B and Gambit 6 unmanned aircraft, as displayed above during the Farnborough airshow on July 21, 2026. (Breaking Defense)
An Embraer C-390 Millennium transport aircraft is parked for visitors to observe during the Farnborough airshow on July 21, 2026. (Breaking Defense)
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