Affordable and scalable effector will strengthen RAF stockpile resilience

LONDON, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Farnborough International Airshow – Raytheon UK, part of RTX’s (NYSE: RTX) Raytheon business, today introduced Red Kite®, its first sovereign precision weapon fully designed and digitally engineered in the United Kingdom.

Developed with a consortium of British defence partners, Red Kite is an affordable, highly deployable precision weapon that advances the UK’s ability to rapidly scale critical stockpiles. Using advanced digital modelling technologies, the effector quickly moved from concept to prototype.

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

Red Kite uses the existing Stormbreaker® airframe and can be integrated across a wide range of air platforms. It builds on Raytheon UK’s extensive experience delivering precision weapons, including Paveway IV and adds a cost-effective, high-volume capability that enhances RAF operational flexibility.

“Red Kite is about getting capability to the frontline faster – reducing cost, increasing availability and meeting our customers’ needs when it matters most,” added Gray. “It represents a clear step toward a more resilient, sovereign UK defence industrial base.”

Red Kite will be delivered through a nationwide UK supply chain, bringing together specialist design, engineering and manufacturing expertise from across the country. From systems electronics and software in Harlow to control actuation systems in Glenrothes, the programme will sustain high-skilled jobs, advanced manufacturing and sovereign defence capabilities across England, Scotland and Wales. Raytheon UK estimates that approximately 140 highly skilled jobs will directly support this program.

About Raytheon UK
With over 2,000 employees in the UK, Raytheon UK is a major supplier and systems integrator to the UK Ministry of Defence that designs, develops and manufactures defence and space products. The company is also a leading provider of training transformations services and continues to invest in research and development, supporting innovation and technological advances across the country. Raytheon UK is part of RTX’s Raytheon business.

About Raytheon
Raytheon, an RTX business, is a leading provider of defense solutions to help the U.S. government, our allies and partners defend their national sovereignty and ensure their security. For more than 100 years, Raytheon has developed new technologies and enhanced 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
With more than 180,000 global employees, we push the limits of technology and science to redefine how we connect and protect our world. With industry-leading capabilities, we advance aviation, engineer integrated defense systems for operational success, and develop next-generation technology solutions and manufacturing to help global customers address their most critical challenges. The company, with 2025 sales of more than $88 billion, is headquartered in Arlington, Virginia.

For questions or to schedule an interview, please contact corporatepr@rtx.com.

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SOURCE RTX

LONDON, July 21, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Microelectronics UK 2026, the UK’s leading conference and exhibition for the semiconductor, photonics and embedded systems ecosystem, has confirmed full agendas across its three core content stages ahead of the event’s return to Excel London on 29-30 September 2026. The event is held in association with the Department for Science, Innovation and Technology (DSIT) and the Department for Business and Trade (DBT).

The two-day event spanning five dedicated stages — including the Startup Launchpad and the new Discovery Stage — will draw more than 4,000 attendees, 175+ exhibitors and 120+ speakers.

Semiconductors UK examines next-generation chip architectures, advanced manufacturing and supply chain resilience. Photonics UK explores optical computing, quantum technologies and connectivity. Embedded Systems UK addresses embedded cybersecurity, edge AI and the EU Cyber Resilience Act.

The new Discovery Stage brings live demos and workshops to the show floor, and hosts the Talent Foundry: a mentoring experience designed to connect early-career engineers with industry experts. The Startup Launchpad, in partnership with Silicon Catalyst, showcases emerging hardtech startups across the sector.

The event’s Advisory Board features leaders from Rolls-Royce, BAE Systems, BT, Arm, Intel and more. The event is also backed by Platinum sponsors Linaro, UK Semiconductor Centre, Edge Impulse and Wireless Logic.

Michael Adeniya, Group Event Director at IQPC Exhibitions, said:

“The UK’s microelectronics supply chain is being built at speed, and this year’s programme reflects that. With backing from DSIT and DBT, and an Advisory Board spanning some of the biggest names in UK engineering, Microelectronics UK 2026 is where the people driving that shift come together.”

Andrew Lord, Senior Manager – Optics & Quantum Research at BT, added:

“The challenges facing UK microelectronics today – from supply chain resilience to advanced packaging to embedded intelligence – don’t sit within one discipline anymore. Semiconductors, photonics and embedded systems are increasingly interdependent, and innovation happens where they meet. Microelectronics UK is one of the few places where people working across all three get in a room together, and that kind of in-person collaboration turns strategy into real industrial capability.”

Registration is free, with the full agenda now available to view online.

View more and register now:

https://www.microelectronicsuk.com?utm_source=PR&utm_medium=Media%20Partner&utm_campaign=50554.001%20-%20Microelectronics%20UK%20-%20Press%20Release%2002&utm_term=&utm_content=&disc=&extTreatId=7639864

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SHANGHAI, July 21, 2026 /CNW/ — US-based AI startup Generalist AI–founded by ex-Google DeepMind scientists and backed by NVIDIA NVentures–recently unveiled GEN-1, its latest embodied foundation model achieving a 99% task success rate and a 3x speed increase. As part of this breakthrough project, Elite Robots collaborated with Generalist AI to support real-world data collection and algorithm validation on its cobot platform.

Key Highlights from the Collaboration:

Industrial-Grade Reliability: Delivered flawless, zero-intervention performance (1,800+ block stackings, 200+ box foldings) backed by 100,000-hour MTBF and ±0.02mm repeatability.

3x Trajectory Acceleration: Smooth, jitter-free servo control accelerated model iteration while maintaining predictable physical interactions.

Real-Time Adaptability: Features a 360° motion range and sensitive force feedback, enabling GEN-1 to instantly correct unexpected execution errors.

Global Technical Support: Backed by Elite Robots 24/7 technical network and local US team to support ongoing research and commercial deployment.

As the “ChatGPT moment” for robotics arrives, Elite Robots continues to partner with global innovators to build robust hardware solutions for embodied AI.

(Picture and data referenced from: Generalist AI Team, “GEN-1: Scaling Embodied Foundation Models to Mastery”, Generalist AI Blog, Apr 2026)

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SOURCE Elite Robots