The UK Ministry of Defence has awarded a multi-million-pound deal to Cambridge Aerospace for the delivery of its Skyhammer jet-powered interceptor system to the UK Armed Forces and Gulf allies. The contract includes the supply of launchers and interceptors, along with integration services, technical assistance, and end-user training, with deliveries scheduled from May over a six-month timeline.
Skyhammer is the company’s first operational system, developed to address emerging threats from drones and slow-moving missiles. Work on the program began in January 2025, with early flight tests completed in just six weeks. Since then, continuous weekly trials have been conducted to refine performance and ensure interoperability with a range of sensor systems.
The system is engineered for integration into multi-layered air defense frameworks, delivering a range of 30 kilometers (18.6 miles) and speeds up to 700 kilometers per hour (435 miles per hour). Its tube-launched design incorporates retractable wings and inverted V-tail control surfaces to enhance aerodynamic performance. Equipped with a jet engine and an onboard mini-radar seeker, Skyhammer enables autonomous target tracking and terminal engagement.
While pricing details remain undisclosed, it is estimated to cost on par with a Shahed drone and below the price of the Martlet missile. The program is expected to support job creation, adding 50 new roles and maintaining 125 existing positions at Cambridge Aerospace.
Separately, the UK is evaluating further purchases of Martlet missiles, manufactured by Thales in Northern Ireland, to strengthen its defensive posture in the Middle East amid rising drone threats.
