The ‘loyal wingman’ uncrewed systems will leverage AI for complex battlefield situations. 

The UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) downselected seven companies for its ‘Project NYX’ Apache helicopter UAV wingman programme, the authority announced on 24 January.  

Anduril, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin UK, Syos, Tekever, and Thales were chosen to progress to the next stage of the programme. 

These companies – all of which have facilities in the UK – will proceed to develop prototypes, following a prequalification phase that ended in late 2025. 

In March, the seven companies will be reduced to a final four, after which they will be invited to participate in producing a concept demonstrator. Initial operating capability is being targeted for 2030. 

Eventually, the MoD hopes that the British Army’s AH-64E Apache Guardian attack helicopters will be accompanied by AI-enabled ‘loyal-wingmen’, that will fulfil a variety of roles including reconnaissance, surveillance, and target acquisition. 

The AI will operate using a ‘command rather than control’ approach, the MoD states, allowing the UAVs to adjust to changing situations under what the authority calls “a new way of war”.  

This reinforces the UK’s wider efforts to increase the lethality, survivability, and mission effectiveness of the British Army, as outlined in the Strategic Defence Review in June.  

Part of this involves bolstering battlefield mass with high-tech intelligent systems that complement traditional systems, while reducing risk for human operators. 

UK Minister for Defence Readiness and Industry, Luke Pollard, said that “Project NYX represents the cutting edge of the Defence Industrial Strategy [released in September], working with leading British industry partners to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of autonomous military technology.”