Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform - Project NYX

Descriptions

UK Defence Innovation, part of UK Ministry of Defence, is pleased to announce Project NYX, the delivery of a Capability Concept Demonstrator (CCD) for the Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform (ACP) project.

Background

Project NYX is a flagship opportunity for industry to partner with Defence and shape the next generation of autonomous systems. The Army is seeking to develop an Uncrewed Air System (UAS) to pair with the Apache AH-64E attack helicopter as an ACP. The ACP will operate in a highly autonomous, "commanded not controlled" manner to perform multi-mission tasks in contested airspace, including reconnaissance, target acquisition, strike, countermeasure defeat, and integration with Launched Effects (LE). The ACP will enhance the lethality and survivability of the crewed platform and do so with a smaller logistic footprint and lower maintenance burden relative to the crewed platform.

Aim

The first phase of the project will be a Capability Concept Demonstrator which seeks to prove the Land ACP concept. Any prospective supplier would work collaboratively with MOD to rapidly develop and prototype the Land ACP capability, integrating autonomy software and UAS hardware with existing MOD capabilities (such as Apache AH-64E platforms) for Test and Evaluation activities linked to capability use cases. Further spiral development activity will iterate the prototype system against user performance requirements to prove the concept and provide insights and learning to inform future phases. Particular areas include but are not limited to:

• Integration and interoperability considerations with existing MOD communications networks and hardware;

• Specification, development, assurance, and management of autonomous behaviours. This may include;

o Support to MOD development of autonomy standards;

o Certifications and Regulatory approvals with both civilian and/or miliary regulators to test and evaluate platforms for autonomy capability;

o The investigation or utilisation of methodologies such as Mission Engineering, Digital Engineering, Digital Twins, Modelling and Simulation, Scenario Based Testing, Operational Design Domains, and System Models;

o Governance models for the spiral development of autonomy software;

• Situational Awareness systems for ACPs within Human Machine Teaming;

• Modular Open Systems Architectures for ACPs (e.g. creation and Authority ownership of architectures for ACPs);

• Defence Lines of Development (DLoD) considerations, including safety, interoperability and cyber.

This phase covers Research and Development activity only and the purchase at scale of hardware and software is not within scope of this activity.

Details of the Potential Procurement

It is intended to conduct a competitive tender using a multi-stage evaluation, referred to as a "3-2-1 competition". This will include multiple down selection events, including presentations and demonstration events. Funding will be offered to up to 4 suppliers to support the development activity and the down selection period.

In line with the aims set out in the Defence Industrial Strategy (published 08 Sep 2025), Land ACP seeks to develop a UK sovereign capability, in particular for critical elements such as the design and development of autonomous elements. The Authority may limit participation for Land ACP to UK companies (including Crown Dependencies and British Overseas Territories, and those companies who have a firm UK on-shore presence).

Timelines

A timeline for Land ACP project milestones is captured below. Please note, these are subject to change and are therefore indicative:

Condition of Participation/ Procurement Specific Questionnaire: Q4 2025

Issue of Invitation to Tender: Q4 2025

Contract Award to maximum of 4 suppliers for initial development activity: Q1 2026

Contract Award to winning tenderer(s): Q3 2026

Major Land ACP capability demonstration event: Q2 2027

End of Land ACP Capability Concept Demonstrator activity and final demonstration: Q1 2028

Further early market engagement is intended to be conducted prior to release of a Planned Procurement Notice. This early market engagement will seek industry's feedback on MOD's proposed strategy for Land ACP and seek insights into the maturity of the market for existing autonomy capability. Information will be published for Land ACP in due course.