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Anduril has entered the helicopter‑strike drone arena with a full‑size prototype called Thunder unveiled at the Farnborough Airshow. The quad‑rotor can lift off like a helicopter, then transition to fixed‑wing flight powered by a hybrid‑electric engine. The system was co‑developed with US air‑taxi start‑up Archer Aviation and UK partner GKN Aerospace. Archer plans a commercial variant with customers announced later this week.

The launch follows the war in Ukraine, which highlighted how attack helicopters such as the Apache are vulnerable to man‑portable air defence systems and drones. Rich Drake, Anduril UK’s general manager, said the new drones would fly alongside or ahead of up to six helicopters, expanding combat reach while protecting crews. Shane Arnott noted the hybrid‑electric design keeps costs far below an Apache, enabling large‑scale deployment.

Anduril is one of four firms farms in the UK Ministry of Defence’s Project Nyx, competing with BAE Systems, Thales and Tekever. The Mo D expects a winner by autumn and aims for first‑in‑service by 2030.

The company also considers building units in the UK to support export markets, pending a launch decision.