JavaScript Required

Jumpseat Aerospace News requires JavaScript to function. Please enable JavaScript in your browser settings to continue.

UK Selects Four Companies for Apache Drone Wingman Project

May 1, 2026

2 min read

Key Takeaways

UK selects four companies for drone wingman demonstrator project.
Project NYX aims to develop drones teaming with Apache helicopters.
£10 million funding package allocated for concept demonstrator effort.
Final partner to be chosen later this year.

Silver membership required Upgrade to Silver to access Key Takeaways.

Upgrade

Strategic Implications

This selection may indicate the UK's growing interest in autonomous capabilities for military operations. The project suggests a shift towards leveraging AI and drones to enhance combat effectiveness, which could have significant implications for the future of warfare and the role of unmanned systems in military operations.

Silver membership required Upgrade to Silver to access Strategic Implications.

Upgrade

What Happened

British Army Partners With Industry Leaders On Autonomous Capability

The UK Ministry of Defence has down-selected four companies - BAE Systems, Anduril, Tekever, and Thales - to develop drone wingman aircraft capable of teaming with British Army Apache attack helicopters. The £10 million Project NYX aims to evaluate and narrow down drone designs over the next few months, with the goal of fielding an operational variant by 2030. The project is part of the UK’s pivot towards a ’new way of war’ documented in the strategic defense review last year, which emphasizes the use of uncrewed and autonomous capabilities. This development was first reported by Breaking Defense.

Source

Companies Mentioned