The Royal Air Force of Great Britain has officially launched the StormShroud autonomous drones, which are designed to protect F-35B Lightning II and Eurofighter Typhoon fighters from enemy radars, AXIOS reports.
The drones are equipped with Leonardo UK’s advanced BriteStorm electronic warfare system, which allows them to blind enemy air defenses and distract the enemy. According to the developer, this system can also be used on missiles.
StormShroud is based on the Tekever AR3 drone, which has already logged over 10,000 hours of flight time in combat zones in Ukraine. It is reported that it was the experience gained during the war in Ukraine that helped accelerate the production of StormShroud.
Air Chief Marshal Richard Knighton called the introduction of StormShroud a "watershed moment" that would change the way we conduct combat operations. The drones will help with reconnaissance, target strikes and logistical support, significantly increasing the effectiveness of the British Air Force.