"Cutting-edge" Army helicopter drones to be made as "thrilled" Fareham defence firm SYOS shortlisted
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Futuristic helicopter drones are set to be built to bolster the British Army - with a Fareham-based company being shortlisted to produce them.
SYOS in Dewar Close is one of seven businesses up for the contract to produce the aircraft. As part of Project Nyx, designs are being made for un-crewed air systems (UAS) to accompany the Apache helicopters.
CEO and founder Sam Vye said the invitation reflects the proven technical advancement and capability of the business’ un-crewed autonomous vehicles (UAVs), which span air, land, sea and subsurface domains.
“We are thrilled to advance to the next stage of Project NYX, which is an innovative approach by the Ministry of Defence to work with industry partners to develop un-crewed Air Systems (UAS) to operate alongside Apache attack helicopters,” he said.
“It's great recognition of a young British company leading the way in autonomous un-crewed vehicles – we’re proud to be advancing with some of the global defence primes. The project’s purpose aligns with why SYOS exists and how we work – to partner with customers and end users to build real-world autonomy that solves hard operational challenges and pushes the edge of technology innovation.”
The aim is for the drones to act as “loyal wingmen” for the Army’s helicopter pilots, capable of completing various operations. They will be asked to carry out reconnaissance and surveillance missions in contested areas, be used in electrical warfare, and be able to scope out targets.
Following the publication of the Strategic Defence Review, the Ministry of Defence (MoD) is pushing for more autonomous systems to be used alongside conventional aircraft. The government body said these drones will operate on a ”command rather than control” principle, Utilising AI, they can make independent decisions under parameters set by the personnel.
“These drones of the future will make the British Army more effective and lethal by enhancing our ability to strike, survive and win on the battlefield,” minister of defence industry and readiness Luke Pollard said. “Project NYX represents the cutting edge of the Defence Industrial Strategy, working with leading British industry partners to ensure the UK remains at the forefront of autonomous military technology.”
The companies shortlisted for the contract include Anduril, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin UK, Tekever, and Thales. SYOS is no stranger to working with the armed forces.
The firm already produce Rattler-class autonomous boats for the Royal Navy, capable of being controlled from hundreds of miles away. It already produces the the SA200 - a TRL7/8, production‑ready, heavy‑lift un-crewed helicopter.
Mr Vye said: “We work shoulder to shoulder with customers and end users in field, prototyping fast, testing and iterating at pace, and hardening systems through real-world front-line use, never sacrificing performance or adding needless complexity. With a highly skilled and growing team, and a strengthening UK supply chain, we’re ready to meet the NYX mission.”