The Ministry of Defence has launched detailed new info on Venture NYX, a flagship Military programme to check autonomous plane designed to work alongside Apache AH-64E assault helicopters.
Printed on 4 November, the Prior Data Discover from Defence Gear and Help describes Venture NYX as “a flagship alternative for trade to companion with Defence and form the subsequent technology of autonomous programs.”
The venture will ship a Functionality Idea Demonstrator (CCD) for the Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP), a key step towards growing uncrewed plane that may function in complicated, contested environments.
In response to the discover, “the Military is in search of to develop an Uncrewed Air System (UAS) to pair with the Apache AH-64E assault helicopter as an ACP.” The plane will function “in a extremely autonomous, ‘commanded not managed’ method” to carry out multi-mission duties resembling reconnaissance, goal acquisition, strike, countermeasure defeat, and integration with launched results.
The MOD says the ACP will “improve the lethality and survivability of the crewed platform and accomplish that with a smaller logistic footprint and decrease upkeep burden.”
The doc units out an formidable two-year schedule from March 2026 to March 2028. The primary section will concentrate on a fast prototype, integrating autonomy software program and uncrewed programs {hardware} with current MOD platforms for testing.
The MOD says that the idea demonstrator will “show the Land ACP idea” via collaboration with as much as 4 suppliers within the early phases, adopted by down-selection to a number of last contractors. The programme will use a “3-2-1” aggressive mannequin with a number of rounds of analysis and demonstration occasions.
A key a part of the discover focuses on autonomy growth and system integration. The MOD expects suppliers to contribute to:
• “integration and interoperability issues with current MOD communications networks and {hardware}”
• “specification, growth, assurance and administration of autonomous behaviours”
• “help to MOD growth of autonomy requirements” and “certifications and regulatory approvals with each civilian and navy regulators”
• using “methodologies resembling Mission Engineering, Digital Engineering, Digital Twins, Modelling and Simulation, State of affairs-Primarily based Testing, Operational Design Domains, and System Fashions”
Human-machine teaming, modular open programs structure, and cyber resilience are additionally recognized as priorities. The MOD stresses that this section “covers analysis and growth exercise solely and the acquisition at scale of {hardware} and software program will not be inside scope.”
Reflecting the federal government’s wider Defence Industrial Technique revealed in September, the discover says the Land ACP venture “seeks to develop a UK sovereign functionality, particularly for important components such because the design and growth of autonomous components.”
It provides that “the Authority could restrict participation for Land ACP to UK firms (together with Crown Dependencies and British Abroad Territories, and people firms who’ve a agency UK on-shore presence).”
Indicative milestones embody:
• launch of participation and procurement paperwork in late 2025
• contract award to as much as 4 suppliers in early 2026
• a serious functionality demonstration in 2027
• completion of the idea section in early 2028
The MOD describes Venture NYX as “a flagship alternative for trade to companion with Defence” that may assist outline the Military’s future strategy to crewed-uncrewed teaming.
This follows an earlier stage of the Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform programme introduced in August, when the Military held an trade occasion to debate its preliminary idea for pairing uncrewed plane with Apaches. The brand new discover marks the transition from session to funded growth, signalling that the Military is now prepared to maneuver into energetic prototyping and flight testing.