Project Corvus is intended to replace Watchkeeper with new long-range surveillance and reconnaissance capabilities. Its timing draws criticism because Watchkeeper has only recently been made to work satisfactorily in this account, and its earlier cost growth raises concerns about another replacement programme. Project Nyx assigns £220 million to armed autonomous drones intended to operate with existing capabilities, including AH-64E Apaches. Its stated target is twenty-four armed drones by 2030. Both the quantity and the delivery date are programme ambitions whose affordability is questioned.
Notable Point · 2:11:19-2:12:22
Army drone plans replace Watchkeeper and propose Apache partners
Corvus and Nyx illustrate different Army autonomy requirements: replacing surveillance aircraft and adding armed drones to operate with Apaches.