Key Developments
On 15 May 2026, the HM Government announced a £10 million investment for Project NYX to develop autonomous drones that operate with Apache helicopters. Four UK-based industry partners were selected to design systems intended to boost helicopter lethality and survivability while reducing risk to personnel, according to the government announcement.
Key Statistics
- £10 million invested in Project NYX Apache support drones
- 4 industry partners selected to develop autonomous designs
- £115 million UK funding for the Strait of Hormuz mission (historical context)
- 1,000 UK personnel slated for the Hormuz security mission (historical context)
- 30 km range for Skyhammer interceptor missiles tested (historical comparison)
- 50 new jobs created by the Skyhammer contract (historical context)
- 125 existing jobs supported by the Skyhammer program (historical context)
Main Body
On 15 May 2026, the HM Government announced a £10 million investment under Project NYX to field drones that support Apache helicopters. The government said the effort would enhance Apache crews’ lethality and survivability across a range of operations while reducing risks to personnel.
The HM Government said four British-based companies were selected to develop autonomous designs that can team with Apaches. According to the announcement, the project aimed to extend sensing and strike options for the helicopter force and to improve force protection by using unmanned systems to perform hazardous tasks alongside crewed aircraft.
The move followed other UK counter-drone and maritime security steps. On 1 May 2026, the HM Government reported successful tests of Skyhammer interceptor missiles in Jordan, citing a 30 km range and 700 km/h top speed, under a contract creating 50 new jobs and supporting 125 roles. On 12 May 2026, the HM Government outlined a contribution to a multinational mission to secure the Strait of Hormuz that included mine-hunting drones, Typhoon jets, and HMS Dragon, backed by £115 million and around 1,000 UK personnel.
Taken together, Project NYX and these actions indicated a coordinated UK effort to strengthen rotary-wing strike packages, expand counter-drone defenses, and protect critical trade routes. The HM Government presented the Hormuz deployment as supporting commercial shipping security, while the HM Government underscored industrial and capability gains from Skyhammer, aligning with broader investment in unmanned and air defense systems.
