NZDF selects Syos Aerospace SA2 and SA7 UASs

UK Magazine Flight International reports that Mount Manganui-based Syos Aerospace is to equip the New Zealand Defence Force (NZDF) with its SA2 and SA7 quadcopter Uncrewed Aerial Systems (UASs). The company will also provide the NZDF with its SM300 uncrewed boat and SG400 Uncrewed Ground Vehicles (UGV) under the same contract.

In a separate activity it has also been shortlisted by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for Project NYX which will see at least one of seven shortlisted companies provide a Collaborative Combat Aircraft (CCA) to support the British Army’s 50 AH-64E Apaches.

“Having cutting-edge drone technology developed and supported by local businesses will reduce supply chain risk and strengthen our resilience,” says New Zealand defence minister Judith Collins, quoted in Flight International.

Syos, which began originally in New Zealand and now has two headquarters, in NZ and the UK, says its SA2 UAS can operate in a GNSS-denied environment and enables persistent Intelligence, Surveillance and Reconnaissance (ISR) using a stabilised 3-axis Electro-optical/Infrared sensor. The company’s larger SA7 has a payload of 7kg and endurance of 35 minutes and is designed to operate effectively in an EW-challenged environment. The A-7 can also, according to Flight International, be used for loitering munition-style operations.

Meanwhile, the company, through its UK headquarters, has been invited by the UK MoD to bring forward its technology for the UK’s Project NYX, which seeks ‘futuristic drones’ to accompany British Army helicopters, especially the Apache attack helicopter, in future battles.

The invitation to progress to the next stage of Project NYX reflects the proven technical advancement and capability of SYOS’s portfolio of uncrewed autonomous vehicles (UAVs), spanning air, land, sea, and subsurface domains, said Sam Vye Syos Aerospace CEO and founder.

“We are thrilled to advance to the next stage of Project NYX, which is an innovative approach by the Ministry of Defence to work with industry partners to develop uncrewed air systems (UAS) to operate alongside Apache attack helicopters.

Syos says it brings together world-class engineering and proven AI-driven autonomy, supported by agile design, lean manufacturing, rapid innovation, and a relentless focus on Minimum Viable Capability (MVC). Syos has a demonstrated record of innovation, collaboration, and rapid delivery, the company said in a media release.

“We work shoulder to shoulder with customers and end users in the field,” said Vye, “prototyping fast, testing and iterating at pace, and hardening systems through real-world frontline use, never sacrificing performance or adding needless complexity.”