The Ministry of Defence confirmed on 24 January 2026 that Project NYX has advanced, inviting seven UK-based companies to develop prototype uncrewed aircraft to team with the Army’s Apache attack helicopters, as part of delivery against the Strategic Defence Review. (gov.uk)
The programme envisages ‘loyal wingman’ aircraft operating alongside crewed Apaches to undertake reconnaissance and surveillance in contested areas, strike and target acquisition, and electronic warfare roles in support of commanders. (gov.uk)
MOD material sets out a ‘command rather than control’ approach in which commanders define mission parameters and objectives, while onboard AI makes bounded decisions and adapts to changing conditions to improve lethality, survivability and mission effectiveness and to reduce risk to crews and logistics. (gov.uk)
The announcement follows a pre-qualification stage concluded late in 2025. A downselect to four suppliers is planned for March 2026, with contracts to fund research and development of a concept demonstrator and an initial operational capability targeted for 2030. (gov.uk)
The shortlisted organisations are Anduril, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin UK, Syos, Tekever and Thales. The announcement characterises them as UK-based firms. (gov.uk)
Luke Pollard, Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, said the drones would raise the Army’s ability to strike, survive and win, and described Project NYX as aligned with the Defence Industrial Strategy to keep the UK at the forefront of autonomous military technology. (gov.uk)
Policy Wire analysis: this phase is effectively concept definition and early prototyping. Suppliers will refine air vehicle designs, payload options and mission-management software, and propose architectures that link to Apache mission systems without piling additional workload onto aircrew.
Policy Wire analysis: in plain English, ‘command not control’ means mission-level direction rather than continuous piloting. Human authorities set objectives, rules and no-go areas; the system executes within those boundaries and reports back, allowing a small team to supervise multiple assets.
Policy Wire analysis: autonomy at this level requires clear thresholds for human intervention and accountable approval processes for any kinetic effects. Expect rigorous software assurance, safety cases and test points to demonstrate predictable behaviour under degraded communications.
For programme watchers, the immediate milestones are submission of formal proposals, the March 2026 downselect and subsequent concept demonstration contracts. The 2030 initial operating target will drive schedules for Army training, infrastructure and airworthiness approvals.