BAE Systems is a British defence and aerospace company formed in 1999 by the combination of British Aerospace and Marconi Electronic Systems. Its aviation activities include military aircraft engineering, manufacturing and support. Prominent programmes associated with its British aircraft sites include the Eurofighter Typhoon, Hawk and F-35 Lightning II.[1]BroughBAE Systems Heritage · heritage.baesystems.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]WartonBAE Systems Heritage · heritage.baesystems.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Industrial heritage
The company's aircraft activity rests on facilities and programmes established before the BAE Systems name appeared. Brough's history includes Harrier and Hawk work, while Warton developed a broad range of design and test facilities. During the 1980s and 1990s, Warton expanded its wind tunnels, radar facilities, painting facilities and engine-test infrastructure. These sites supplied a substantial part of the engineering base inherited by the company formed in 1999.[1]BroughBAE Systems Heritage · heritage.baesystems.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[2]WartonBAE Systems Heritage · heritage.baesystems.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Aircraft development and testing
Warton contributes to the Typhoon, Hawk and F-35 programmes and to future combat-aircraft development associated with Tempest. Its role brings design, test and integration activities together at one location. Brough's history shows a different division of work: in 2008, newly manufactured Hawks began flying from Brough to Warton. Such movements link production facilities with the places where further testing and programme work are carried out.[2]WartonBAE Systems Heritage · heritage.baesystems.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[1]BroughBAE Systems Heritage · heritage.baesystems.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Role in the F-35
BAE Systems is an industrial partner on the F-35, whose prime contractor is Lockheed Martin. The company manufactures the rear fuselage at Samlesbury in Lancashire and contributes tail structures, systems and engineering. The first rear fuselage was delivered in 2005, and the thousandth was delivered in 2023. This makes BAE Systems a significant manufacturer within the programme without making it the sole manufacturer of the complete aircraft.[3]F-35BAE Systems · baesystems.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[4]BAE Systems delivers 1,000th F-35 fuselageBAE Systems · baesystems.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details
Systems and through-life support
The F-35 work also includes electronic warfare equipment developed by BAE Systems teams in the United States. Its published programme description identifies radar warning, targeting support and aircraft self-protection among those functions. Alongside production, the company participates in development and sustainment. These responsibilities illustrate the breadth of aerospace manufacturing: airframe structures, onboard electronics and support for operational fleets are related industrial activities, but each is a distinct part of delivering and maintaining a military aircraft capability.[3]F-35BAE Systems · baesystems.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details[4]BAE Systems delivers 1,000th F-35 fuselageBAE Systems · baesystems.com · Accessed 2026-09-13Open source details