Raytheon unveils Red Kite sovereign precision weapon for the RAF

Raytheon (a subsidiary of RTX) unveiled its new Red Kite precision munition at the Farnborough Airshow. Raytheon claims the weapon is the first “sovereign precision weapon fully designed and digitally engineered in the United Kingdom.”

The missile has been developed with a consortium of British defence partners. It was developed using advanced digital modelling technology and progressed rapidly from concept to prototype.

Raytheon claims Red Kite is an affordable, highly deployable precision weapon that offers a solution to Britain’s ability to rapidly scale critical stockpiles. The UK is currently working to develop a range of air-launched missiles to meet affordability and scalability requirements.

James Gray, managing director and chief executive of Raytheon UK, stated, “Red Kite was designed with affordability and adaptability in mind, and marks a significant step forward for UK defence.”

Gray added, “Working closely with our partners over the past five years, we’ve combined innovative design, digital engineering and proven technologies to develop a sovereign capability for the RAF faster and more efficiently than ever.”

Based on the existing StormBreaker missile

Raytheon stated Red Kite is based on the StormBreaker missile (Small Diameter Bomb) already in service with the Royal Air Force. It asserts that the new missile will be able to be integrated across a range of air platforms, complementing existing RTX munitions like Paveway IV.

StormBreaker provides the RAF’s F-35 fleet with an interim stand-off air-to-surface capability until the SPEAR 3 enters service. MBDA’s SPEAR 3 mini-cruise missile is a guided munition that competes with the Small Diameter bomb. In 2016, it was assessed that it was the only option that met the RAF’s requirements. It is expected to enter service in 2030.

In May 2026, Janes reported that the United Kingdom had approved the procurement of the RTX GBU-53/B Small Diameter Bomb (SDB) II ( aka StormBreaker) to equip its Lockheed Martin F-35B Lightning combat aircraft as an “interim stand-off strike capability.”

While Raytheon didn’t provide performance characteristics for the Red Kite, it says of StormBreaker, “The StormBreaker weapon’s small size enables the use of fewer aircraft to take out the same number of targets as larger weapons that require multiple jets. The weapon can also fly more than 45 miles to strike mobile targets.”

Emphasis on affordability and scalability

Raytheon stressed that Red Kite is cost-effective, although it didn’t indicate how much the munition is expected to cost. It also said it offered high-volume capability.

James Gray added that Red Kite is about “getting capability” faster while also “reducing cost and increasing availability.” He heralded it as a “clear step” to creating a more resilient, sovereign British defence industrial base.

Raytheon estimated that the missile programme would support around 140 highly skilled British jobs directly, including in England, Scotland, and Wales.

British contractors include Leonardo UK providing the seeker, BAE Systems providing the warhead, Thales UK providing the fuze, and others in locations like Harlow and Glenrothes.