UK’s unmanned ‘loyal wingman’ aircraft to carry missiles and electronic warfare tech

A Belfast firm has been selected to design and manufacture the prototype for a ‘loyal wingman’ style unmanned fighter aircraft.

Spirit AeroSystems will lead the next £30m phase of the Team Mosquito project, which follows on from the RAF’s Lightweight Affordable Novel Combat Aircraft (Lanca) concept.

The uncrewed combat aircraft will be designed to fly at high speed alongside fighter jets, armed with missiles, surveillance and electronic warfare technology. The jet will be the UK’s first unmanned aircraft able to target and shoot down enemy aircraft.

The three-year deal will support more than 100 jobs in Belfast, the government said. A full-scale flight test programme is expected by the end of 2023. The aircraft could ultimately be deployed alongside Typhoon and F-35 Lightning jets by the end of the decade.

The project, which also includes Northrop Grumman UK, aims to reduce costs and development timelines by utilising civilian aerospace engineering and manufacturing expertise, and the latest software development techniques. The aircraft will be designed to be easily and affordably updated with the latest technology.

Defence minister Jeremy Quin said it “will showcase some of the most pioneering engineering work currently being undertaken in the UK.” 

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