UK MoD to open next phase of Project Nyx drone competition

The Ministry of Defence intends to publish an invitation to tender for the next phase of Project Nyx within weeks, setting out detailed requirements for the programme. Nyx is a competition to build an uncrewed aircraft that would fly alongside the British Army's fleet of Boeing Apache AH-64E attack helicopters.

The first phase ends in early October, when a final round of flight demonstrations finishes. Four contenders were picked earlier this year from an initial group of seven.

The ministry said the tender will be released once those demonstrations are complete. A further reduction of the field, possibly to two companies, is scheduled for the fourth quarter, later than an earlier target of the third quarter.

The project originally aimed to have those companies running their systems at NATO's Steadfast Defender exercise in May or June next year. The ministry said taking part remains the goal and that work continues toward it, calling the target feasible despite the tighter schedule. Participation is a target, not a fixed commitment.

Anduril Industries, BAE Systems and Thales have each run demonstration exercises for representatives of the ministry and the Army Air Corps. Thales went first, presenting a bid based on the Schiebel S-300 rotary-wing aircraft.

One supplier is expected to be chosen to take the capability through later development beginning March 2028. The Defence Investment Plan published in June set an ambition to field as many as 24 systems bought through Nyx by 2030, at a total cost of £220 million ($292 million). That figure could rise, the document indicates, given the number of Apaches in service and the expendable nature of the platform.