UK Introduces AI-Powered StormShroud Drone to Enhance RAF Capabilities
Image Source: Royal Air Force
The United Kingdom has unveiled the StormShroud drone, an AI-powered uncrewed aerial system designed to support the Royal Air Force (RAF) by jamming enemy radar systems. Developed under the UK's Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACP) strategy, the drone enhances operational effectiveness in hostile environments by working alongside crewed aircraft, reducing risks to pilots. The StormShroud flies ahead of RAF fighter jets to disable air defenses, creating safer attack paths.
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Image Source: Royal Air Force
Development and Design
The StormShroud is a collaborative project involving the RAF’s Rapid Capabilities Office, the Catalyst team in Defence Equipment & Support (DE&S), Defence Science and Technology Laboratories (DSTL), and UK-based companies Tekever and Leonardo UK. Built on the Tekever AR3 platform, the drone is manufactured in West Wales and Southampton, with Leonardo UK’s BriteStorm electronic warfare payload produced in Luton. The BriteStorm is a high-powered digital jamming device that disrupts enemy radar by generating false signals, enhancing the survivability of crewed aircraft. The project, informed by lessons from conflicts such as Ukraine, received an initial £19 million investment, supporting approximately 200 engineering jobs across the UK.
The StormShroud’s AI enables autonomous operation in complex environments, allowing it to identify and jam enemy radar systems in real time. This autonomy creates a deceptive battlefield picture, enabling RAF Typhoon and F-35B Lightning jets to operate undetected. The AI adapts based on operational feedback, improving its effectiveness through software updates. Tekever’s AI-powered software ensures modularity and agility, allowing rapid mission-specific configurations and continuous improvements, drawing on the AR3’s combat experience in Ukraine.
Image Source: Royal Air Force
Operational Role
Operated by the RAF’s 216 Squadron at RAF Waddington, the StormShroud includes personnel from the Regular RAF, Royal Auxiliary Air Force (RAuxAF), and RAF Regiment, who manage launch, recovery, and integration with Typhoon and F-35B squadrons. The drone flies ahead of crewed aircraft, using its BriteStorm payload to suppress enemy air defenses at long range, increasing the survivability and lethality of RAF jets. Reportedly around 24 units are in service, with the RAF aiming to expand its ACP portfolio by 2030. The drone’s design prioritizes cost-effectiveness, making its potential loss in combat tolerable compared to high-value crewed aircraft.
The StormShroud underscores the RAF’s focus on manned-unmanned teaming (MUMT), integrating uncrewed systems with crewed platforms to enhance mission success while minimizing pilot exposure. Air Chief Marshal Sir Richard Knighton described the drone as a “seminal moment” for the RAF, noting its potential to transform missions from intelligence gathering to logistical support. Delivered in under six months, the StormShroud reflects the RAF’s agile development model, emphasizing rapid deployment with continuous evolution.
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Image Source: Royal Air Force
Technological Capabilities
Unlike multi-role loyal wingman drones, the StormShroud’s BriteStorm is tailored for electronic warfare, enduring contested airspace to protect crewed platforms. The Tekever AR3 platform, with over 10,000 combat hours in Ukraine, provides a battle-proven foundation. Its modular design supports future upgrades, ensuring adaptability to evolving threats. While specific range details are limited, the AR3’s endurance and payload capacity suggest robust operational reach.
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Economic and Industrial Impact
The StormShroud program boosts the UK’s defense sector, with Tekever’s £400 million investment plan expected to create over 1,000 jobs. Production facilities in West Wales, Southampton, and Luton strengthen sovereign manufacturing. The collaboration between the MoD, Tekever, and Leonardo UK has been praised by industry leaders like Tekever CEO Ricardo Mendes for its rapid delivery and economic benefits, positioning the UK as a leader in autonomous military technology.
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Source: Royal Air Force, UK Defence Journal, Flight Global
