British defense giant unveils new type of unmanned combat aircraft

According to a report by Reference News Network on July 25, Reuters reported on July 22 that British company BAE Systems unveiled a new type of unmanned combat aircraft on Wednesday, pushing the UK into one of the most competitive and hottest markets in the defense industry.

The largest defense company in the UK showcased a model of its new unmanned combat aircraft, named "King of Thunder," at the Farnborough International Airshow. The name is derived from ancient Greek, meaning "thunder" and "king." BAE Systems stated that the size of this aircraft is comparable to that of the Hawk trainer and is expected to begin test flights next year.

As global threats intensify and Western countries reorganize their military capabilities, senior officials in the defense sector have indicated that the lessons from the war in Ukraine are clear: countries need to secure air superiority to avoid a repeat of the exhausting trench warfare seen in Ukraine, which necessitates strengthening air force capabilities.

BAE Systems is entering the increasingly competitive collaborative combat aircraft market. This market is expected to expand rapidly. At the Farnborough International Airshow, numerous companies, including Airbus, Boeing, Anduril, and General Atomics, are competing for business in this field.

Collaborative combat aircraft are often referred to as "loyal wingmen," designed to fly alongside manned aircraft, and are expected to cost about one-third of traditional fighter jets.

The newly appointed UK Defense Secretary, Grant Shapps, who took office on Monday, called this a "milestone moment." He stated at the airshow, "We will use this aircraft as a concept demonstrator and plan to conduct test flights in 2027."

BAE Systems has invested hundreds of millions of pounds in the collaborative combat aircraft project, advancing it without government co-investment—although government co-investment is typically a pillar for the development of new platforms.

The company's CEO, Charles Woodburn, told Reuters, "We have taken tangible steps. We can see which direction the market is heading." He also expressed hope to secure orders from the UK military, while believing that other countries in Europe and the Middle East may follow suit.

BAE Systems is collaborating with the Royal Air Force to develop the "King of Thunder" unmanned combat aircraft. The project began in 2022, and a complete aircraft assembly has been completed at a factory in Warton, northwest England. BAE Systems stated that the drone is expected to be operational by 2030. In contrast, Boeing's MQ-28 "Ghost Bat" drone showcased at this airshow has already begun flight testing and is expected to be operational in Australia by 2028.

BAE Systems claims that its collaborative combat aircraft has superior stealth capabilities compared to competitors, aiming to achieve 70% to 80% of a fighter jet's performance while keeping costs below 25% of a fighter jet's price, which means its price could be around $25 million.

The aircraft features an open architecture and modular design for software upgrades and modifications. (Translated by Yang Xuelai)