U.K. Picks 4 Firms to Build Drone ‘Wingmen’ for Apaches

Anduril U.K., BAE Systems, Tekever, and Thales U.K. will compete for final contracts.

Jack Daleo

Friday, May 15, 2026 at 03:30 PM ET

Verified

Edited By:

Travis Tingle

BAE Systems and Cento Aerospace are working to turn the latter’s Capstone drones into ‘loyal wingmen’ for Apache helicopters. [Credit: BAE Systems]

Key Takeaways:

The U.K. Ministry of Defense (MOD) launched Project NYX, awarding $13 million to Anduril U.K., BAE Systems, Tekever, and Thales U.K. to develop autonomous "loyal wingmen" drones.
These drones are intended to accompany AH-64E Apache helicopters, enhancing pilot safety, extending operational range, and performing tasks from surveillance to weapons deployment, with human control over weapon use.
The goal is for the loyal wingmen to be operational by 2030, aligning with similar uncrewed-crewed teaming initiatives globally, including European, U.K., and U.S. combat air programs.

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The U.K.’s Ministry of Defense (MOD) will evaluate four autonomous drone designs that could one day serve as “loyal wingmen” to AH-64E Apache helicopters.

The MOD on Friday awarded about $13 million to Anduril U.K., BAE Systems, Tekever, and Thales U.K. for Project NYX—its concept demonstrator program for uncrewed drones intended to keep Apache pilots out of harm’s way, extend operational range, and conduct operations from weapons deployment to surveillance. It said humans would make any decision involving the use of weapons.