First UK-built crewed stealth fighter jet in 40 years nears completion

Rory McKeown | Assistant editor (news) Published July 29, 2026 2:56pm Updated July 29, 2026 2:56pm A rendering of how the UK’s new stealth fighter will look (Picture: BAE Systems/Cover Images) The first crewed stealth fighter jet built in the UK for 40 years is nearing completion as the cutting-edge air combat technology seeks to become reality. Team Tempest, a UK-led partnership working on new technologies for the next generation of air combat, has announced it’s hit three significant development milestones. That includes the assembly of around half of the main structure of the UK Combat Air Demonstrator, the completion of modifications to the Excalibur Flight Test Aircraft ahead of a new phase of flight trials, and critical advances in propulsion technology through the Orpheus engine dem