U.K. picks Anduril, Lockheed, 5 others for Apache drone project

• But rotorcraft are tricky — some would say outdated. Existing American collaborative combat aircraft and British StormShroud projects are tied to F-35s and other fighters.

Driving the news: The Defense Ministry on Jan. 24 announced Anduril Industries, BAE Systems, Leonardo, Lockheed Martin UK, Syos, Tekever and Thales were progressing through Project NYX, as it's known, and would present their designs imminently.

Context: The drones are expected to extend the reach of troops and keep them out of harm's way by collecting intelligence, conducting electronic warfare, aiding in targeting and drawing fire.

The intrigue: The potential supplier pool will again be narrowed in March, when research-and-development contracts are expected.

• "Project NYX represents the cutting edge of the Defence Industrial Strategy, working with leading British industry partners to ensure the U.K. remains at the forefront of autonomous military technology," Luke Pollard, minister for defense readiness and industry, said in a statement.

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