All articles tagged with #farnborough airshow
Britain’s new government uses Farnborough to push the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as Canada joins as an observer, broadening Europe’s bid to diversify away from U.S. weapons with no immediate funding but potential future participation; the show also features a Boeing T-7 pilot-training deal linked to Hawk replacement, signaling continued defense-industry momentum amid cabinet shifts.
At Farnborough 2026, Lockheed Martin unveiled Morfius, a small X-rotor UAS carrying a field-reusable high-powered microwave counterdrone system. It is sensor-agnostic, can engage more than 50 drones per flight, and supports the DoD’s Rapid Response Counter-UAS Roadmap, with growing global interest in counterdrone tech (including UK funding for interceptors).
Anduril revealed Thunder, a hybrid-electric helicopter-strike drone designed to accompany and precede attack helicopters, with vertical takeoff transitioning to long-range fixed-wing flight, capable of carrying Hellfire missiles or other munitions. Developed with Archer Aviation (and UK partner GKN Aerospace), Thunder is part of the UK MoD’s Project Nyx competition to field drones alongside Apache helicopters, with a target deployment around 2030 and a plan to operate three to six Thunders per helicopter for expanded battlefield reach.
Lockheed Martin will field a cheaper PAC-3 Adapted Capability Effector (ACE) Patriot interceptor designed to counter drones, costing less than half the current PAC-3 MSE price (about $4m per missile) and developed with US and European partners to meet rising demand amid depleted stockpiles, signaling a shift toward cost-effective, battle-tested defenses and greater allied, indigenous capabilities.
The 2024 Farnborough International Airshow will gather 80,000 visitors, including top aerospace and defense leaders, to discuss industry trends and challenges. The event will highlight issues such as commercial aircraft backlogs, supply chain strains, and the impact of geopolitical tensions on defense budgets. Boeing's recent acquisition of Spirit AeroSystems and its legal troubles over the 737 MAX crashes will be focal points, alongside Airbus's supply chain difficulties. The show will also feature advancements in electric Vertical Take Off and Landing (eVTOL) aircraft and sustainability efforts, despite setbacks like the closure of Universal Hydrogen.