United Kingdom launched the Royal Air Force’s new Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme, Storm Fighter

¨     United Kingdom launched the Royal Air Force’s new Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) programme, Storm Fighter, on 16 July 2026.

¨     The programme aims to develop autonomous loyal wingman drones that will operate alongside crewed combat aircraft such as the Typhoon, F-35, and the future Tempest fighter.

¨     Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) are uncrewed aircraft designed to work with manned fighter aircraft in combat operations.

¨     These aircraft can extend sensor range, carry weapons, conduct electronic attacks, and act as decoys for crewed fighter jets.

¨     The Storm Fighter programme is funded through a £300 million allocation under the United Kingdom’s Defence Investment Plan, published on 2 July 2026.

¨     The programme was announced by Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, at the Air & Space Power Association Global Air and Space Chiefs’ Conference in London.

¨     The programme includes concepts such as Storm Chrome, designed for electronic attack, and Storm Fire, a one-way attack drone.

¨     Storm Fire is expected to have an operational range of up to 1,000 miles.

¨     The programme builds on StormShroud, an autonomous drone that entered service in May 2025.

¨     It also follows the cancellation of Project Mosquito in 2022, marking the UK's renewed approach to autonomous combat aircraft development.