Royal Air Force Officially Names Drone Wingman Programme 'Storm Fighter', Unveils Two New Aircraft Designs
RAF Air Vice-Marshal Harv Smyth has officially announced the 'Storm Fighter' drone wingman programme, revealing two new unmanned aircraft concepts: Storm Chrome, a dedicated electronic warfare drone, and Storm Fire, a long-range one-way attack drone. The initiative aligns the UK with allied Collaborative Combat Aircraft efforts led by the US and Australia.
Highlights
- RAF Air Vice-Marshal Harv Smyth officially named the UK's drone wingman initiative 'Storm Fighter', marking the programme's formal public launch.
- Storm Chrome is a dedicated electronic warfare drone designed to jam enemy electromagnetic environments while operating alongside crewed aircraft.
- Storm Fire is a long-range, one-way attack drone (loitering munition) built for precision strikes on distant targets at low cost.
- The Storm Fighter programme aligns with the US and Australian Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) concept, reflecting a wider Western shift toward crewed-uncrewed teaming.
- The RAF has not yet disclosed technical specifications or in-service timelines for either Storm Chrome or Storm Fire.
Royal Air Force (RAF) Air Vice-Marshal Harv Smyth has formally announced the service's drone wingman development programme, designating it 'Storm Fighter' and unveiling two new unmanned aircraft designs under the initiative.
Electronic Warfare Drone: Storm Chrome
According to Air Vice-Marshal Smyth, Storm Chrome will serve as a dedicated electronic warfare (EW) drone, capable of jamming and suppressing enemy electromagnetic environments. Operating alongside crewed combat aircraft, it is designed to provide electronic countermeasure support in complex, contested operational environments.
Long-Range One-Way Attack Drone: Storm Fire
The second aircraft revealed, Storm Fire, is a long-range, one-way attack drone — a category commonly referred to as a loitering munition or 'kamikaze' drone. The platform is designed to strike distant targets with high precision at relatively low cost, leveraging its expendable, single-use architecture.
Strategic Significance of the Storm Fighter Programme
The Storm Fighter programme marks a significant milestone in the UK's air force modernisation efforts. Drone wingmen can substantially extend the sensor range and strike capacity of crewed fighters, while reducing pilot exposure to life-threatening risks during high-intensity missions.
This development closely mirrors the Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) concept being actively pursued by the United States, Australia, and other allied nations — reflecting a broader shift in Western air power doctrine toward human-machine teaming.
The RAF has not yet released full technical specifications or planned in-service dates for either aircraft. Further developments are being closely watched by the international military aviation community.
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