Cambridge Aerospace to showcase Skyhammer, Starhammer interceptors at Prague expo

18 August 2026 | Defense News Army 2026

British defense manufacturer Cambridge Aerospace will present its tube-launched Skyhammer and Starhammer interceptors at the Future Forces Exhibition & Forum in Prague from October 21 to 23, 2026.

The exhibition follows the company achieving a $3.4 billion valuation through a $300 million Series C funding round and securing a rapid procurement contract from the UK Ministry of Defence. This dual-interceptor portfolio establishes a threat-specific engagement architecture, utilizing the 700 km/h turbojet Skyhammer to neutralize low-speed unmanned aerial vehicles while reserving the Mach 2 Starhammer missile for cruise missiles and high-velocity targets.

Less than 26 months after its establishment, Cambridge Aerospace has reached 250 employees and raised over $630 million to finance the mass production of its autonomous defense systems. The manufacturer plans to produce 2,500 Skyhammer interceptors per month by March 2027, operating alongside the higher-altitude Starhammer system to provide a mathematically sustainable defense against varying threat velocities.

Related topic: Cambridge Aerospace to develop low-cost interceptor systems to close gaps in UK air and missile defence

Exhibition Details

Cambridge Aerospace will exhibit in Hall 4 at Stand 424 during an event expected to host:

• More than 400 exhibitors from over 35 countries
• More than 9,000 professional participants from over 70 countries
• Over 40 conferences, panels, and specialist events
• More than 20,000 m² of indoor exhibition space

Company Background

• Founded: September 4, 2024
• Employees (as of August 2026): Approximately 250
• Total funding raised: More than $630 million
• Series C round: $300 million, led by DFJ Growth, valuing the company at $3.4 billion
• Previous valuation (April 2026): $1.3 billion after a $200 million financing round
• Valuation increase: $2.1 billion (162%) in roughly four months

Skyhammer Interceptor

| Specification | Detail | |---------------|--------| | Weight | 17 kg | | Power | Kerosene-fuelled turbojet | | Speed | 700 km/h | | Range | Exceeds 30 km | | Altitude | Above 4 km | | Length | 1,800 mm | | Wingspan (deployed) | 1,500 mm | | Depth | 180 mm | | Launch container | 2,000 mm long, 350 mm diameter | | Warhead | 2 kg (11.8% of total weight) | | Deployment time | Less than one minute |

Development timeline:

• Development started: January 2025
• Initial flight testing: Within approximately six weeks
• UK procurement announced: April 10, 2026
• Initial deliveries scheduled: From May 2026
• Testing conducted: Interceptor and launcher in Jordan
• Production target: 2,500 interceptors per month (30,000 per year) by March 2027

Starhammer Interceptor

• Power: Rocket-powered missile
• Speed: Mach 2+
• Altitude envelope: 10 km
• Purpose: Covers targets whose velocity and engagement geometry exceed what the Skyhammer can reliably address

Strategic Approach

Cambridge Aerospace's emerging portfolio is based on two different expenditure categories:

1. Skyhammer – A lighter drone interceptor for sustained counter-UAS consumption
2. Starhammer – A higher-energy missile reserved for faster threats such as cruise missiles

Image source: Army Recognition