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UK downselects seven firms for Project NYX to develop 'loyal wingman' drones for AH‑64E Apache

The UK Ministry of Defence has downselected seven companies, including BAE Systems, Leonardo and Tekever, to develop 'loyal wingman' unmanned helicopters under Project NYX. The autonomous drones will team with the Army's AH‑64E Apache Guardians to expand ISR, strike and electronic‑warfare capabilities while reducing crew risk.

Discovered 2026-01-25T07:16:52.783706-08:00 | 2026-01-25T07:16:52.783706-08:00

Briefing

What Hype is tracking

  • The MoD has narrowed industry to seven partners (including BAE, Leonardo and Tekever), accelerating development of an Apache‑paired "loyal wingman" rotorcraft under Project NYX, which directly shapes near‑term capability priorities and requirements (Project NYX)[source:3c906a96-1520-40b3-9c4d-0ec6a5c1c931].
  • Early involvement of major primes steers industrial winners and sustainment pathways, with implications for domestic supply‑chain workshare and export prospects for companies such as Leonardo[source:435bcd1f-1af3-4817-b6b7-624f9221fe47].
  • The announcement advances the UK's manned–unmanned teaming strategy and links to broader loyal‑wingman developments internationally, exemplified by prior demonstrators that define operational concepts and integration challenges[source:a1318c76-7c8c-4f60-a8cc-2896fe17add0].

Reported By

ex2.com.au defenceconnect.com.au uasvision.com Breaking Defense Aerospace Testing Intnl FlightGlobal
Sources Tracked
24
First Seen
2026-01-25T07:16:52.783706-08:00
Latest Update
2026-01-28T17:15:25.022729-08:00
Coverage
Defense

Sources

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