Affordable and scalable effector will strengthen RAF stockpile resilience
LONDON, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — At the Farnborough International Airshow, Raytheon UK, a division of RTX’s Raytheon business, has officially unveiled Red Kite®, its inaugural sovereign precision weapon that has been entirely designed and digitally engineered in the United Kingdom.
Created in collaboration with a consortium of British defense partners, Red Kite is recognized as an affordable and highly deployable precision weapon, enhancing the UK’s capacity to rapidly scale essential stockpiles. The weapon’s development benefited from advanced digital modeling technologies that enabled a swift transition from concept to prototype.
James Gray, managing director and CEO of Raytheon UK, commented, “Red Kite was designed with affordability and adaptability in mind, marking a significant advancement for UK defense. Over the past five years, we have diligently collaborated with our partners to merge innovative design, digital engineering, and proven technologies to develop a sovereign capability for the RAF more swiftly and efficiently than ever before.”
The weapon utilizes the existing Stormbreaker® airframe and is compatible with a broad range of air platforms. Red Kite builds on Raytheon UK’s extensive track record in producing precision weapons, including Paveway IV, while also adding a cost-effective, high-volume capability that boosts the operational flexibility of the RAF.
Gray further stated, “Red Kite is about delivering capability to the frontline more quickly – reducing costs, increasing availability, and fulfilling our customers’ requirements when it matters the most. It signifies a clear move toward a more robust and sovereign UK defense industrial base.”
The Red Kite program will be supported through a nationwide UK supply chain, uniting specialized design, engineering, and manufacturing expertise from across the nation. From systems electronics and software in Harlow to control actuation systems in Glenrothes, this initiative is expected to sustain roughly 140 highly skilled jobs along with advanced manufacturing and sovereign defense capabilities throughout England, Scotland, and Wales.
About Raytheon UK
Raytheon UK employs over 2,000 individuals and serves as a primary supplier and systems integrator for the UK Ministry of Defence, focusing on the design, development, and manufacture of defense and space products. The company is also a prominent provider of training transformation services and remains committed to research and development, fostering innovation and technological improvements throughout the country. Raytheon UK operates as part of RTX’s Raytheon business.
About Raytheon
As a leader in defense solutions, Raytheon, an RTX business, supports the U.S. government, allied nations, and partners in defending national sovereignty and ensuring security. With more than a century of experience, Raytheon develops new technologies and enhances existing capabilities in integrated air and missile defense, smart weapons, missiles, advanced sensors and radars, interceptors, space-based systems, hypersonics, and missile defense across land, air, sea, and space.
About RTX
RTX boasts a global workforce of over 180,000 and is dedicated to advancing technology and science to redefine connections and protection worldwide. With leading industry capabilities, RTX focuses on advancing aviation, engineering integrated defense systems for operational success, and creating next-generation technology solutions to tackle critical challenges for global customers. The company is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia, with projected sales of over $88 billion by 2025.
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SOURCE RTX
Source: RTX (Raytheon) (2026-07-21 06:00:00)
