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RAF launches StormFighter CCA effort to become ‘Europe's first sixth-generation air force'
Janes • • world
Key Points:
- The UK Royal Air Force has launched the StormFighter programme, a new unmanned collaborative combat aircraft (CCA) initiative aimed at establishing Europe’s first sixth-generation air force.
- The programme is backed by a GBP300 million (USD406 million) investment as part of the Defence Investment Plan announced in July 2026.
- StormFighter aims to deploy autonomous "guardian angel" and "attack dog" drones to operate alongside manned aircraft such as the Typhoon, F-35, and Tempest in future combat environments.
- Defence Minister Luke Pollard highlighted the importance of the programme in countering future threats involving swarms of drones, advanced fighter jets, and evolving electronic warfare capabilities.
- Several major defence contractors, including BAE Systems and Boeing, have expressed interest in competing for the StormFighter contract ahead of formal requirement issuance.
