A new £19million unmanned fighter jet hailed as the next generation of British military aircraft is due to start test flights as early as next year. 

The Brontanax – named after the ancient Greek words for thunder and king – is designed to operate alongside a crewed plane such as the Typhoon. 

It can be controlled by a Typhoon pilot or a mission commander from a distance,providing electronic warfare and precision strikes capabilities against air and ground targets. 

Designed and built by BAE Systems in Warton,Lancashire,the Brontanax is the UK’s first uncrewed Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA).

It is likely to have 70% to 80% of the capability of a fighter jet but comes in at 25% of the price,which would mean a cost of around £19million per drone. 

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Start your day informed with Metro's News Updates newsletter or get Breaking News alerts the moment it happens.The Brontanax unmanned fighter jet is unveiled at Farnborough Airshow. It is designed to work alongside crewed aircraft (Picture: BAE Systems/Cover Media)The British government has indicated it is prepared to spend £300million on launching a CCA programme it has named Storm Fighter. Defence Secretary Wes Streeting said: ‘The unveiling of Brontanax,the UK’s first uncrewed autonomous Collaborative Combat Aircraft,is a testament to the extraordinary talent and innovation across our sovereign defence industry.‘Built at BAE Systems in Warton by British engineers,backed by British businesses large and small,this aircraft demonstrates that the UK has the skills,the technology and the determination to lead the world in combat air power.’The craft will have much of the capability of a fighter jet but comes in at around 25% of the cost (Picture: BAE Systems/Cover Media)The RAF said the aircraft forms part of its ambition to become Europe’s first sixth-generation air force by combining crewed and autonomous aircraft.Chief of the Air Staff Air Marshal Sir Harv Smyth said: ‘The RAF is determined to become Europe’s first sixth generation air force,driving innovation and accelerating the adoption of cutting-edge technology to stay ahead in an increasingly complex and contested battlespace.’Test flights are expected to take place next year – the RAF want to be Europe’s first sixth generation airforce (Picture: BAE Systems/Cover Media)BAE Systems said the aircraft had been developed with an open architecture and modular design,allowing it to be adapted to changing operational requirements and emerging threats.Simon Barnes,group managing director of BAE Systems’ Air sector,said: ‘We recognise armed forces are being challenged to meet the demands of speed,adaptability and scale. ‘Our Collaborative Combat Aircraft will provide the ability to extend the reach of crewed aircraft,generating greater combat mass at lower cost,while keeping pilots out of harm’s way.‘This capability represents a significant company investment in the UK’s future of air power and builds on our long-standing commitment to innovation. ‘Alongside supporting defence priorities,it will strengthen the UK’s sovereign defence ecosystem by creating opportunities for SMEs,suppliers and partners across the country.’The aircraft is due to undergo ground-based testing at Warton before beginning flight trials in UK airspace. A first flight is expected next year.