Collaborative Combat Aircraft need to be more than a flying weapons magazine
Capabilities, cost and autonomy are top of mind concerns for developing effective unmanned aircraft.
presented by
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.
presented by
Europe’s military advantage depends on sovereign command of the ground truth
As NATO and European governments accelerate investment in space-based intelligence, decision advantage will depend on how quickly sovereign and commercial capabilities can be fused into a trusted operational picture.
The sights of the Farnborough Airshow Day 2
More aircraft from day 2 of the Farnborough International Airshow.
General Atomics-ASI CEO throws shade at cost target for new drone
“I believe they put a silly goal in here for a low end [cost],” Dave Alexander told Breaking Defense. “Anybody that bids that number is very suspicious.”
Air Force One ‘maxxing,’ CCAs everywhere and GCAP’s future
We break down some of the top news from day one of the Farnborough International Airshow.
Anduril reveals Thunder, a ‘loyal wingman’ drone for helicopters
The company describes Thunder as a fully autonomous armed reconnaissance tiltrotor aircraft developed from lessons learned from the company’s Fury aircraft.
presented by
Empower defense teams to scale AI securely
AI is expanding the mission data footprint across defense environments, increasing the need for scalable, layered data-at-rest (DAR) protection.
USAF Chief Wilsbach on hardened shelters, T-7 flight and F-35 delays
In a one-on-one with Breaking Defense, Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach laid out his big concerns for the service.
What we’re watching for at the 2026 Farnborough Airshow
Breaking Defense previews some of the big news that could come at the Farnborough International Airshow.
Storm Fighter: UK christens drone wingman program, unveils new designs
The Royal Air Force plans to develop a new electronic warfare drone dubbed Storm Chrome, along with a long-range, one-way attack drone called Storm Fire, according to Air Chief Marshal Harv Smyth.
In first, Air Force fires live shot off CCA wingman drone
“It wasn’t just an AMRAAM that came off,” Air Force Chief of Staff Gen. Kenneth Wilsbach told Breaking Defense. “It was tracking the target.”
presented by
MQ-9B and Gambit Series: Advancing European Defense Capabilities
GA-ASI will build Gambit aircraft in Europe, partnered with European-based companies, with airframes available for international procurement starting in 2027.
The autonomous CCA wingmen of 2030 may look nothing like today’s assumptions
While services test teaming with Collaborative Combat Aircraft, industry faces hard questions.
Behind Hegseth’s European posture review, plus a big CCA program update
This week on The Break Out, we look at why Secretary of Defense Pete Hegseth is reviewing the American troop posture in Europe before we see what's new in the race to develop a drone wingman for military pilots.
How Honeywell Aerospace plans to tap into the global CCA market
Honeywell Aerospace executive Matthew Milas lays out Honeywell's view on CCAs as a key platform-agnostic supplier.
Air Force awards GE, Rolls-Royce for ‘medium thrust’ drone engines
The two engine makers will advance designs to power medium thrust class drones, an Air Force spokesperson told Breaking Defense.