The Ministry of Defence of the United Kingdom announced, on January 24, 2026, that it has selected seven companies to develop prototypes for its AH-64 Apache “loyal wingman” program.
Project NYX, as this program is known, aims to develop Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) capable of operating alongside the UK’s Apache attack helicopters.
These drones will pair up with piloted aircraft, in what is commonly referred to as “loyal wingman function, to conduct a variety of missions, such as reconnaissance and surveillance, target acquisition, conducting electronic warfare and striking enemy targets.
This concept is one of the new capabilities identified by the UK’s latest Strategic Defence Review and aims to leverage artificial intelligence (AI) and autonomy as force multipliers for the existing manned platforms of the British Armed Forces.
The seven companies, which were selected after an initial pre-qualification phase, are Anduril (which has partnered with GKN Aerospace for this project), BAE Systems, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin UK, Syos, Tekever and Thales. This shortlist will be further narrowed down to four in March 2026.
Those companies that remain in the process will then be invited to develop and produce a concept demonstrator. The ultimate aim of the program is to have an operational system by 2030.
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