Frontline Flight: Farnborough Air Show 2026, Day 2

MORFIUS X-Rotor counter-drone platform. Image – Lockheed Martin

Defense Highlights, Headlines, and Happenings from the Farnborough Air Show 2026.

TUESDAY

Lockheed Martin unveiled its MORFIUS X-Rotor counter-drone platform, a ground-launched microwave system capable of disabling over 50 hostile drones in a single flight before returning to base for field reuse. The platform operates independently of specialized fire-control radars to integrate with existing air defense networks, providing an economical defense against low-cost drone swarms.

TEKEVER unveiled its new AR6 family of autonomous heavy lift drones. Built for both the military and civilian markets, the AR6 family intends to carry 200 kilogram payloads over 500 kilometers.

Canada is joining the Global Combat Air Programme (GCAP) as an observer to the next-generation fighter jet program, the GCAP partner countries announced at a press conference on Tuesday.

Leonardo and PT ESystem Solutions Indonesia signed a contract with the Indonesian Ministry of Defense on Tuesday for the supply of 12 M-346F Block 20 light fighter aircraft, building off of a letter of intent inked earlier this year. The aircraft will be supplied beginning in 2030. The two companies also inked a new LOI with the Ministry of Defense regarding a potential sale of AW149 helicopters to the Indonesian Navy.

BAE Systems, Boeing, and Saab announced a teaming agreement to further their partnership on a next-generation pilot training aircraft for the Royal Air Force. The three companies are pitching their T-7 aircraft as a replacement for the U.K.’s Hawk fleet.

The three Saab GlobalEye airborne early warning and control (AEW&C) aircraft on order for the Swedish Air Force are separate from NATO’s recent purchase of 10 GlobalEyes, Swedish Air Force head Maj. Gen. Jonas Wikman told reporters, but the Swedish fleet will complement the NATO one.

Raytheon UK, an RTX business, unveiled ‘Red Kite,’ a new precision weapon designed and engineered entirely in the UK. The Red glide-bomb weapon shares the same airframe as the GBU-53 Stormbreaker. Raytheon is marketing Red Kite as a “cost-effective, high-volume capability” to scale UK stockpiles.

Embraer and Anduril agreed to integrate a palletized launch system for the Barracuda-500M on the C-390 transport

Embraer announced a memorandum of understanding with Anduril to integrate the Barracude-500M cruise missile onto the C-390 aircraft. Equipping the aircraft with the palletized missile variant will enable the launching of “dozens of munitions simultaneously, unlocking new concepts of operation centered around cost-effective, large-scale employment,” Embraer said in a press release.

Ukrainian defense conglomerate UkrOboronProm showed off its Liutyi UAV and other products at Farnborough. The drone has been utilized as a one-way munition for deep strikes, but can also carry missiles under its wings, as seen at Farnborough.

BAE Systems announced a new multi-role modular warhead called BlackThorn. The warhead is designed to be integrated into a range of capabilities, including autonomous platforms, one-way attack drones, counter-drone systems, and missiles.

Rafael is highlighting its LITENING 5 targeting pod’s Counter-UAS role, which spans automatic detection, tracking, identification, and terminal guidance to intercept. Once a target is acquired and locked, the laser designator opens the engagement envelope across multiple munition types, giving operators the flexibility to respond proportionately to each threat.

Forecast International

+ posts

For more than 50 years, Forecast International intelligence reports have been the aerospace and defense industry standard for accurate research, analysis, and projections. Our experienced analysts compile, evaluate, and present accurate data for decision makers. FI's market research reports offer concise analysis of individual programs and identify market opportunities. Each report includes a program overview, detailed statistics, recent developments and a competitive analysis, culminating in production forecasts spanning 10 or 15 years. Let our market intelligence reports be a key part of reducing uncertainties and mastering your specific market and its growth potential. Find out more at www.forecastinternational.com

image sources

TUESDAY

Forecast International

Related Posts

Frontline Flight: Farnborough Air Show 2026

Sustaining the Stinger: How Foreign Demand Shapes the FIM-92’s Future

The Pentagon’s New C-UAS Handbook: What’s Inside and Why it Matters

About Forecast International