Equipped with Leonardo's BriteStorm EW system, StormShroud drones utilize the Tekever AR3 platform and were formally introduced into Royal Air Force operations on May 2, 2025.
The announcement was made as the UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer I visited a Leonardo UK site in Luton, Bedfordshire, which is where BriteStorm drones are produced. These units will be managed by the 216 Squadron, along with assistance from the RAF Regiment. The 216 Squadron was established as an unmanned aerial vehicle division back in 2020; however, up until 2024, they hadn’t conducted any tests or evaluations involving these drones.
The StormShroud drones are designed to work together with combat planes such as the Eurofighter Typhoon and F-35B Lightning II, enhancing the protection of crewed vehicles by diverting enemy radar focus and causing disruptions. Nevertheless, these drones won’t be transported aboard fighters; rather, they’ll be deployed from the ground via a transportable catapult mechanism. Vertical Takeoff and Landing (VTOL) designs of the Tekever AR3 are available, although the StormShroud examples shown are not equipped with this capability.
The BriteStorm electronic warfare (EW) system The StormShroud drones, manufactured by Leonardo, are characterized as a compact, lightweight, and energy-efficient system tailored for use with attritable unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs). The complete setup has an overall weight of 2.5 kilograms. These systems feature integrated transceiver units capable of performing signal jamming across the frequency spectrum from bands A to J. Work on BriteStorm commenced in 2017 after significant achievements in previous projects. the BriteCloud missile decoy , which utilizes comparable technology.
Modular components and readily reprogrammable system architecture will enable StormShroud units to receive rapid updates and upgrades that will allow it to stay current with emerging threats.
Chief of the Air Staff, Air Chief Marshal Sir Rich Knighton says the introduction of StormShroud is "a seminal moment for the RAF to maintain our advantage in Air Combat and national security," adding that "autonomous collaborative platforms will revolutionise how we conduct a range of missions, from intelligence gathering to strike and logistical support."
The RAF has coined the term autonomous collaborative platforms (ACPs) to refer to this new type of drone capability, and intends for StormShroud to be the first of many ACPs introduced. Future drones will likely include much larger aircraft like those proposed by Airbus With flight characteristics more closely aligned with those of the fighter jets they are intended to complement.
Tekever Drones
Based in Portugal, Tekever is a specialized unmanned aerial vehicle (UAV) firm that manufactures the AR3, AR4, and AR5 drones. Since Russia’s invasion of Ukraine in 2022, the company's drone models have been widely utilized there, with the AR3 model logging more than 10,000 operational flight hours in Ukrainian service.
Present UK operations undertaken by the firm, encompassing drone production, are distributed across various locations. across multiple sites , which supports 200 skilled positions. Following the StormShroud contract, it is anticipated that these UK operations will grow even more, leading to an additional 1000 roles with a £400 million investment spanning the coming five years.
The CEO of Tekever, Ricardo Mendes, states, “This strategic focus on the UK goes beyond mere industrial growth—it aims to place the country at the forefront of reshaping Europe’s defense sector through quicker and more flexible solutions that outpace emerging challenges.”
Before the Royal Air Force obtained the Tekever AR3 under the designation StormShroud, the UK government had been using Tekever products actively. Since 2019, both the AR3 and AR5 models have been utilized for border surveillance by the Home Office from their base at Lydd Airport in Kent. The AR5 model specializes in extended duration missions over the English Channel. It employs advanced equipment like electro-optical/infrared (EO/IR) sensors, radar systems, and automated identification system (AIS) receptors to oversee the country’s southern coastline and guide resources such as search and rescue teams or units enforcing borders.
The British Army’s Watchkeeper UAV has likewise been utilized for this purpose. This problematic UAV has faced various challenges. Early retirement has been declared for 2024. , although it will seemingly remain in service until at least 2026 Tekever's AR5 could be a competitor in the substitution program, known as Project Corvus Greater engagement from the manufacturer within the UK, along with collaboration with Leonardo, which is a key British supplier, will likely enhance the firm’s prospects in upcoming purchasing choices.
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