Podcast: How Defense Stole The Show At Farnborough

Listen in to hear about Brontanax, GCAP, interceptors, howling Hongdus and more as Aviation Week defense editors break down what they learned at the Farnborough Airshow.

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AI-Generated Summary

The conversation covers the military side of the Farnborough Airshow and the main developments discussed there. The group opens by placing the show in context, noting that it is taking place during a period of political change in the UK and against a wider backdrop of international tension. 

They then move through the key aircraft and programs on display, beginning with BAE Systems’ new collaborative combat aircraft demonstrator, Brontanax, which is described as a UK sovereign effort intended to support future work on the Stormfighter program. The discussion covers its current stage of development, its planned timeline for tests and flight, and the idea that it is meant to prove the concept of uncrewed aircraft working with platforms such as Typhoon. 

Other CCA efforts at the show are also noted, including Boeing’s Ghost Bat, General Atomics’ FQ-42 Dark Merlin concept and Shield AI’s display, along with weapons integration work. The conversation then shifts to air and missile defense, where the focus is on the need to scale production and reduce unit cost. Examples include Lockheed Martin’s proposed lower-cost Patriot interceptor, Raytheon’s work on PAC-2 GEM-T, and other lower-cost interceptor concepts aimed at countering drones and rocket artillery. 

GCAP is another major topic, with Canada joining as an observer and the implications of that status for future participation discussed alongside the role of the existing partner nations. 

The episode closes with discussion of the UK’s advanced jet training requirement, possible bidders and the uncertainty around the procurement approach and timeline.

Key Topics:

• Farnborough Airshow military updates
• UK political changes during the show
• Brontanax collaborative combat aircraft
• Ghost Bat and other CCA displays
• Missile integration on uncrewed aircraft
• Lower-cost air and missile defense
• Canada’s GCAP observer role
• UK jet trainer procurement