This article is based on an official press release from GKN Aerospace and additional public reporting on the partnership.

GKN Aerospace and Anduril UK Form Strategic Alliance for Next-Gen British UAVs

GKN Aerospace and Anduril Industries UK have officially signed a strategic teaming agreement to collaborate on the development of next-generation Unmanned Aerial Vehicle (UAV) technologies. Announced on December 9, 2025, the partnership aims to secure a leading role in the British Army’s future aviation capabilities, specifically targeting the upcoming “Project NYX” competition.

According to the announcement, the collaboration brings together GKN’s long-standing expertise in aerostructures manufacturing with Anduril’s rapid software development and mission autonomy capabilities. The alliance is further bolstered by Archer Aviation, which joins the consortium to provide electric Vertical Take-Off and Landing (eVTOL) and hybrid-propulsion technology derived from its commercial aviation programs.

The primary objective of this partnership is to deliver a sovereign “Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform” (Land ACP) for the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD). This platform is intended to operate alongside the British Army’s Apache AH-64E attack helicopters, providing a force-multiplying capability in contested environments.

Targeting Project NYX and Land ACP

The immediate focus of the new alliance is the British Army’s Project NYX, a flagship innovation program designed to field advanced autonomous systems. The project seeks to develop a UAV capable of acting as a “loyal wingman” to manned assets.

Operational Concepts

The proposed system is designed to be “commanded, not controlled,” meaning it will operate with a high degree of autonomy rather than requiring direct, stick-and-rudder remote piloting. According to program details, the UAV will accept high-level commands from human crews, executing complex tasks such as reconnaissance, target acquisition, and strike missions independently.

A critical requirement for the Land ACP is the ability to operate in environments with heavy electronic warfare threats. The system must also be capable of “countermeasure defeat,” effectively absorbing or neutralizing enemy fire and jamming attempts to protect the manned Apache helicopters it accompanies.

Timeline and Investment

The competition for Project NYX was launched in November 2025, with the contract period for the concept demonstrator phase expected to run from March 2026 to March 2028. Reports indicate that approximately £100 million has been allocated for this initial phase, underscoring the MoD’s commitment to rapidly modernizing its aviation assets.

A Sovereign Supply Chain

A central pillar of the GKN-Anduril bid is the emphasis on “sovereign capability.” The UK MoD has increasingly prioritized Supply-Chains that are designed and built within the UK to ensure operational independence during crises. This partnership leverages GKN Aerospace’s established manufacturing footprint to meet that requirement.

Manufacturing on the Isle of Wight

Work for the program will be centered at GKN’s facility in Cowes, Isle of Wight. This strategy is expected to secure high-value engineering jobs and utilize the site’s existing expertise in composite technology. Richard Quigley, MP for Isle of Wight West, welcomed the announcement, noting the economic benefits for the region.

“The partnership… is exceptionally positive news for the Isle of Wight. It demonstrates that innovative, high-tech Manufacturing… [is] being developed right here.”

— Richard Quigley, MP for Isle of Wight West

Roles and Responsibilities

The consortium has divided responsibilities to leverage each partner’s core strengths:

• Anduril Industries UK: Acting as the Lead Systems Integrator, Anduril will provide its Lattice software platform for command and control, along with the overall system architecture.
• GKN Aerospace: Serving as the Manufacturing & Integration Partner, GKN will handle structural design, airframe manufacturing, and Electrical Wiring Interconnection Systems (EWIS).
• Archer Aviation: As the Technology Partner, Archer will contribute high-voltage battery systems and hybrid-propulsion architectures from its “Midnight” eVTOL program.

Dave Bond, SVP of Defence Technology at GKN Aerospace, highlighted the speed at which the partnership intends to deliver results.

“By combining GKN Aerospace’s advanced manufacturing and integration expertise with Anduril’s innovative defence technologies, we can offer an industry-leading solution for the UK Army in rapid time.”

— Dave Bond, SVP of Defence Technology, GKN Aerospace

AirPro News Analysis

This Partnerships represents a significant convergence of “traditional” aerospace manufacturing and “new defense” software methodologies. GKN Aerospace is a heritage player with deep roots in physical aerostructures, while Anduril has built its reputation on a software-first approach that prioritizes speed and autonomy. By integrating Archer Aviation, the consortium also signals a growing trend of adapting commercial eVTOL technology for military logistics and combat support roles.

For the UK Ministry of Defence, this bid offers a potential solution to the challenge of modernizing procurement. The “software-first” philosophy of Anduril, combined with the industrial capacity of GKN, addresses the MoD’s dual need for rapid innovation and reliable, sovereign mass production. If successful, Project NYX could serve as a blueprint for future Human-Machine Teaming (HMT) programs across the British Armed Forces.

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Project NYX?
Project NYX is a British Army innovation program aimed at developing a Land Autonomous Collaborative Platform (Land ACP), essentially a UAV that acts as a ” loyal wingman” for attack helicopters.

Who are the key partners in this agreement?
The primary partners are GKN Aerospace (manufacturing) and Anduril Industries UK (software/integration), with support from Archer Aviation (propulsion technology).

Where will the work be performed?
The manufacturing and integration work will be centered at GKN Aerospace’s facility in Cowes, Isle of Wight.

What is the estimated budget for the initial phase?
Approximately £100 million has been allocated for the concept demonstrator phase, which is expected to run through early 2028.

Sources: GKN Aerospace