The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) has initiated a significant program aimed at enhancing the British Army’s operational capabilities through the integration of autonomous drones. The initiative, dubbed Project NYX, invites seven domestic firms to develop drone concepts that will work in conjunction with the Army’s Apache AH-64E attack helicopters.
The core objective of this project is to improve the lethality and survivability of crewed platforms by combining them with uncrewed systems that can provide advanced sensing, targeting, and strike capabilities. The program is grounded in a “command rather than control” philosophy, allowing the Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) to leverage AI-driven autonomy. This capability will enable the drones to adapt swiftly to dynamic battlefield environments while adhering to clearly defined mission parameters.
The anticipated functionalities of the ACP are wide-ranging and include intelligence, surveillance, and reconnaissance (ISR), target acquisition, precision strike operations, defeating countermeasures, and the integration of launched effects in contested airspace. The MoD suggests that the advancements offered by this platform will come at a significantly lower cost and with reduced logistical and maintenance demands compared to crewed aircraft.
The participating firms in Project NYX include notable names such as Anduril UK, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin UK, Syos, Tekever, and Thales. The selection process for these companies will follow a phased approach, where the initial group will be narrowed down from seven to four by March. These four will then focus on initial development and research activities, with one or more winners projected to be selected in the third quarter of fiscal year 2026.
The timeline for the project outlines that capability demonstrations are scheduled to commence in the second quarter of 2027, with final demonstrations expected by the first quarter of 2028. The goal is to achieve initial operational capability around the year 2030.
UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, emphasized the transformative impact of these advanced drones on the British Army’s effectiveness, stating that they will enhance the ability to strike, survive, and ultimately win in combat scenarios. He further highlighted that Project NYX signifies the forefront of the Defence Industrial Strategy, aiming to ensure the UK remains a leader in autonomous military technology by collaborating with leading domestic industry partners.
