- BAE Systems unveiled Brontanax, first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft.
- The aircraft is designed to operate alongside crewed fighters like the Typhoon.
- England’s war secretary Wes Streeting outlined combat priorities.
- The US Air Force F-35A Demonstration Team performed its only public European display.
- The show features a strong combat presence with a sold-out sixth hall.
Key takeaways from Day 3 (Wednesday, July 22, 2026) of the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 include a strong emphasis on next-generation combat technologies, alongside the ongoing flying display programme.
Farnborough Day 3 had a stronger combat/autonomy focus compared to earlier commercial order momentum. BAE’s Brontanax unveiling stood out as the most prominent manufacturer-specific announcement, aligning with the show’s growing emphasis on uncrewed systems, combat mass, and next-generation air power. Embraer advanced its military transport portfolio with training and weapons integration deals.
The third day of the Farnborough International Airshow 2026 has placed a strong emphasis on combat and next-generation combat technologies. BAE Systems unveiled Brontanax, Emgland’s first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft designed to operate alongside crewed fighters like the Typhoon. The modular platform ties into the UK’s £300m StormFighter program and the broader Global Combat Air Programme, with ground testing underway and flight testing planned soon.
Westminster’s war secretary Wes Streeting delivered a speech outlining combat priorities, addressing growing security threats and support for the domestic combat industry. The flying display program featured the US Air Force F-35A Demonstration Team in its only public European display this year, alongside the Airbus A350-1000, Vertical Aerospace VA-1X eVTOL, Fursan Al Emarat aerobatic team, Bombardier Global 8000, Italian Air Force Eurofighter Typhoon, and BETA Technologies CX300 electric aircraft.
The show continues to highlight a shift toward combat, autonomy, drones and sustainable propulsion. War aviation firms now make up a large portion of exhibitors at this sold-out edition, which has added a sixth hall. Trade days continue through Thursday, with Friday designated as the public “Pioneers of Tomorrow” STEM-focused day.
Focus on war
Announcements focused primarily on combat and military capabilities rather than large commercial airliner orders (which were more prominent on Days 1–2).
- BAE Systems unveiled Brontanax, England’s first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA). This modular, open-architecture platform is designed to operate alongside crewed fighters like the Typhoon, providing affordable combat mass and enhanced capabilities. It ties into England’s £300m StormFighter programme and broader sixth-generation ambitions under the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP). Ground testing is underway, with flight testing planned soon and potential service entry before the end of the decade.
- Designed to operate alongside crewed fighters like the Typhoon, providing electronic warfare, precision strike, and increased combat mass at lower cost. It features open architecture/modular design for rapid upgrades. A prototype has been built in Warton, Lancashire; ground testing underway, first flight targeted for 2027, potential service entry by 2030. It is supported by £300m Westminster government investment in the StormFighter program, a major milestone for England’s sovereign combat air capability and sixth-generation ambitions (linked to GCAP/Tempest).EmbraerC-390 Millennium updates: The first aircraft delivered to the Czech Air Force was officially named “Karel Toman-Mareš” (christening had occurred earlier in the week, with display activity on/around Day 3). Agreements were announced to supply C-390 training devices (Full Flight Simulator, Cargo Handling Station Trainer, and CBT solutions) to the Swedish and Austrian Air Forces.
- AnMoU with Anduril was signed at the show to explore integration of the pallet-launched Barracuda-500M stand-off cruise missile onto the C-390 for enhanced operational capabilities.
- England’s war secretary Wes Streeting delivered a speech outlining the Westminster government’s combat priorities. It addressed growing security threats (including recent Russian activities), military strengthening, and support for the domestic war industry amid geopolitical tensions.
The show continues to highlight a shift toward combat (with military firms making up a large portion of exhibitors), autonomy, drones/counter-drone tech, and sustainable/advanced propulsion, building on earlier days’ commercial orders and other military innovations (e.g., Lockheed Martin’s MORFIUS X-Rotor on Day 2). Overall, Day 3 reinforced Farnborough 2026’s reputation as one of the largest editions ever (sold-out halls, sixth hall added), with strong focus on European sovereign capabilities in combat air and emerging technologies.
Trade days continue through Thursday, with Friday as the public “Pioneers of Tomorrow” STEM-focused day.
