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The Airframer Bulletin

MBDA UK
All news ✕ Clear ‹ Current edition

Every Bulletin story and press release covering MBDA UK, newest first.

23 items

2026
29 July BAE Systems will integrate software, digital networks and physical infrastructure under the extension.

BAE Systems wins £708m GCAP contract extension

The contract builds on Team Tempest progress since 2018, involving around 4,500 people across BAE Systems, Leonardo UK, MBDA UK and Rolls-Royce.

22 July

ReleaseTeam Tempest partners accelerate next-generation combat air technologies for UK defence

10 June Airbus sees future roles for the U145 spanning logistics, firefighting, surveillance and drone mothership operations.

Airbus unveils autonomous helicopter derived from H145

The uncrewed platform combines a proven helicopter design with autonomous technology and has its first flight planned later this year.

7 May

ReleaseSATNUS successfully completes fourth flight demonstration campaign of the NGWS/FCAS program, validating manned-unmanned teaming and formation flight capabilities

23 February

ReleaseAirbus unveils next generation rotorcraft concepts for NATO studies

2025
24 July More than 300 hours have been flown in a bespoke simulator by test pilots and engineers.

BAE reaches full-scale Combat Air Demonstrator design milestone

The UK’s first piloted supersonic demonstrator in four decades is now two-thirds structurally complete with wings and tail fins in build.

18 June

ReleaseDaher strengthens its position in the rapidly expanding defense market

13 February

ReleaseAERALIS launches European subsidiary

2024
31 July An artist's rendering of a next generation military rotorcraft concept.

Airbus to lead NATO NGRC concept study

The study will focus on high performance rotorcraft. The concepts will be modular and multi-mission, and fully interoperable with NATO standards, with a high degree of connectivity and resilient communication system.

2023
17 October

ReleaseMBDA'S Mistral missile to arm Korean helicopters

14 June

ReleaseUK industry reveals advanced technologies for next generation flying combat air demonstrator

20 April The Tempest.

UK MoD invests to progress technology for Tempest

The UK Tempest partners, working in close collaboration with the MoD, will now progress the maturity of more than 60 cutting-edge technology demonstrations, digital concepts and new technologies.

2022
20 July The demonstrator aircraft will fly within the next five years.

UK lays out plans for next generation combat aircraft

Engineers at BAE Systems in the north of England are leading the design, test, evaluation and build, bringing together digital engineering technologies such as synthetic modelling and model-based systems engineering.

2021
4 August The Ministry of Defence contract officially marks the start of the Tempest programme’s concept and assessment phase.

BAE gains contract to progress with Tempest design

Tempest will pioneer cutting-edge technologies, including those assisted by AI, machine learning and autonomous systems to meet the challenges of future conflicts, and be operational in the mid-2030s.

25 May

ReleaseNew findings reveal future combat air programme Tempest is poised to drive productivity, innovation and skills development right across the UK

2020
15 October

ReleaseLatest UK technology revealed for a ground-breaking combat aircraft due in service by 2035

14 February

ReleaseDemonstrator phase launched: Future Combat Air System takes major step forward

2019
22 November

ReleaseSouth Korea to integrate MBDA's Meteor missile onto KF-X fighter aircraft

12 November

ReleaseAirbus and its partners unveil details of new Eurofighter ECR concept

11 September

ReleaseUK and Italian industry to partner on Tempest

10 September

ReleaseMBDA offers insight into ongoing results of Team Tempest work

2018
12 November

ReleaseGripen E flies with Meteor

8 February

ReleaseTesting for aircraft flexible payload bay is complete