Project NYX: Thales down selected for UK Apache wingman

Thales has been down-selected to submit a proposal for the UK’s Project NYX. Project NYX is exploring autonomous wingman drones for the country’s fleet of AH-64E Apache attack helicopters. Will it keep the mighty Apache relevant?

By Sam Cranny-Evans, editor of Calibre Defence, published on February 26, 2026. 

Thales has been selected to submit a proposal for the British Army’s Project NYX, according to a February 23 press release. Project NYX is otherwise known as the Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) programme. It appears to follow in the footsteps of the RAF’s ACP programme, which has introduced the StormShroud ACP. 

The British approach to autonomous wingmen in general appears to be quite rational. There is a big gap between the current state of technical development for larger platforms like the MQ-28 Ghost Bat and getting them into service. However, smaller systems like StormShroud that operate autonomously but in less complex roles, are easier to integrate into a force. 

• DSEI UK 2025: Royal Navy clears Peregrine UAS for service – Calibre Defence 
• RAF inducts StormShroud to jam enemy radars – Calibre Defence 

In that context, Thales will be teaming with long-time partner Schiebel. The two provided the Royal Navy with the Peregrine UAS, which entered service last, reducing the burden on crewed aircraft. Under Project NYX, the goal is ACPs that can: 

• Operate in a highly autonomous, “commanded not controlled” fashion. 
• Perform multi-mission tasks in contested airspace, including reconnaissance, target acquisition, strike, countermeasure defeat, and integration with Launched Effects.
• Have a smaller logistic footprint and lower maintenance burden relative to the crewed platform.

The project also aims to build a sovereign UK capability, meaning that much of the successful platform will have to be built in the UK. 

Calibre comment: Is the Apache still relevant?

Yes, the AH-64E Apache and other attack helicopters remain extremely relevant. Russia’s heavy helicopter losses in Ukraine have prompted many calls for an end to the Apache. Some have indicated that senior government advisors even lost confidence in the platform, seeing it as too vulnerable. However, Project NYX appears to indicate renewed faith in the ability of rotary wing aviation to contribute to a land battle. 

This is a good thing. Attack helicopters are an interesting capability, originally envisaged as part of a response to Soviet mass. They were built to stop armoured break-throughs in missions that would have been high-risk, with a lot of loss. The role has evolved and it is fair to argue that helicopters need the right conditions to be set by the rest of the force. But that is no different from any other platform. Once deployed and in combat, a squadron of Apaches with or without ACPs could be catastrophic for enemy armour. 

Carefully configured and designed ACPs could help the Apache achieve those conditions. By jamming or forcing enemy air defence systems to unmask, for example, they could help reduce the threats to the platforms. With the UK’s broader plans for digital targeting, any target identified by an autonomous system will theoretically be engaged in a matter of minutes. This would be helpful if it does come to fruition, but for the time being, ACPs will at the very least prompt an enemy to respond first to them, rather than the crewed platforms that follow.

The lead image shows an AH-64E Apache attack helicopter in service with the British Army. Credit: Corporal Vincent/UK MOD © Crown copyright 2025