A radar-jamming drone that will fly ahead of crewed fighters on missions to take out enemy air defences has been launched by Britain’s Royal Air Force.
Drawing on lessons learnt from the Ukraine war, StormShroud has been introduced at the front lines “an unprecedented pace” to meet the growing threat from Russia, the UK’s Ministry of Defence said.
The weapon is based on the Tekever AR3 and AR5 drones, which have already been used in combat in Ukraine, and has been fitted with a BriteStorm signal jammer that scrambles enemy radar at long ranges.
In what the RAF described as “revolutionary new tactics”, the unmanned drones will be used to support fighters such as the Typhoon and F-35 Lightning by jamming enemy radar, allowing the combat aircraft to attack targets without being seen.
“This means, for the first time, the RAF will benefit from high-end electronic warfare without needing crew to man it, freeing them up for other vital frontline missions,” the RAF said.
StormShroud was a “ground-breaking, first-of-its-kind drone” that will make the RAF’s combat aircraft “more survivable and more lethal”, it added.
It is the first of a family of next-generation drones – known as Autonomous Collaborative Platforms (ACPs) – being delivered to the RAF. Using “operational feedback in Ukraine”, where battlefield innovations have increased significantly, the BriteStorm electronic warfare technology, made by Leonardo UK, has been integrated on to the Tekever drones.
“This is a seminal moment for the RAF to maintain our advantage in air combat and national security,” said Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton, Chief of the Air Staff. ACP drones “will revolutionise how we conduct a range of missions”, from intelligence gathering to strike and logistical support, he added.
Tekever, a British-Portuguese tech company, now plans to manufacture the drones in the UK, investing a further £400 million ($531.7 million) over the next 5 years. Working with Leonardo, it took six months to develop the new weapon.
“Together with our allies, this government is taking the bold action needed to stand up to [Russian President Vladimir] Putin and ruthlessly protect UK and European security,” said UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, who visited the manufacturing site in England on Friday.
Why are asylum seekers being housed in hotels?
The number of asylum applications in the UK has reached a new record high, driven by those illegally entering the country in small boats crossing the English Channel.
A total of 111,084 people applied for asylum in the UK in the year to June 2025, the highest number for any 12-month period since current records began in 2001.
Asylum seekers and their families can be housed in temporary accommodation while their claim is assessed.
The Home Office provides the accommodation, meaning asylum seekers cannot choose where they live.
When there is not enough housing, the Home Office can move people to hotels or large sites like former military bases.
Spec%20sheet
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COMPANY PROFILE
Founders: Alhaan Ahmed, Alyina Ahmed and Maximo Tettamanzi
Total funding: Self funded
The Vile
Starring: Bdoor Mohammad, Jasem Alkharraz, Iman Tarik, Sarah Taibah
Director: Majid Al Ansari
Rating: 4/5
Neil Thomson – THE BIO
Family: I am happily married to my wife Liz and we have two children together.
Favourite music: Rock music. I started at a young age due to my father’s influence. He played in an Indian rock band The Flintstones who were once asked by Apple Records to fly over to England to perform there.
Favourite book: I constantly find myself reading The Bible.
Favourite film: The Greatest Showman.
Favourite holiday destination: I love visiting Melbourne as I have family there and it’s a wonderful place. New York at Christmas is also magical.
Favourite food: I went to boarding school so I like any cuisine really.
Yahya Al Ghassani's bio
Date of birth: April 18, 1998
Playing position: Winger
Clubs: 2015-2017 – Al Ahli Dubai; March-June 2018 – Paris FC; August – Al Wahda
The specs
Engine: 3.0-litre six-cylinder turbo
Power: 398hp from 5,250rpm
Torque: 580Nm at 1,900-4,800rpm
Transmission: Eight-speed auto
Fuel economy, combined: 6.5L/100km
On sale: December
Price: From Dh330,000 (estimate)
The National's picks
4.35pm: Tilal Al Khalediah
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6.20pm: West Acre
7pm: Flood Zone
7.40pm: Straight No Chaser
8.15pm: Romantic Warrior
8.50pm: Calandogan
9.30pm: Forever Young
Sole survivors
- Cecelia Crocker was on board Northwest Airlines Flight 255 in 1987 when it crashed in Detroit, killing 154 people, including her parents and brother. The plane had hit a light pole on take off
- George Lamson Jr, from Minnesota, was on a Galaxy Airlines flight that crashed in Reno in 1985, killing 68 people. His entire seat was launched out of the plane
- Bahia Bakari, then 12, survived when a Yemenia Airways flight crashed near the Comoros in 2009, killing 152. She was found clinging to wreckage after floating in the ocean for 13 hours.
- Jim Polehinke was the co-pilot and sole survivor of a 2006 Comair flight that crashed in Lexington, Kentucky, killing 49.
