British Army unveils new autonomous gunships set to form 'ring of steel' around Apache helicopters in defence drive to increase firepower

The British Army has unveiled new autonomous gunships will form a “ring of steel” around Apache helicopters in hopes of increasing defensive firepower.

The “wingman” drones were unveiled by a defence minister at the Farnborough International Airshow yesterday and are heavily armed to protect pilots flying traditional aircraft.

Up to six of the large Thunder drones would fly low near the attack helicopters during combat.

Aviators in command centres on the ground can control the fleet of drones from the ground, according to American designers at Anduril Industries.

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Each drone can carry up to 10 Hellfire missiles, or 76 rockets that fire from foldout doors.

The Thunder drone can also work as a deployment drone, as it can hold up to 16 tube-launched kamikaze drones, or store up to 12 anti-drone interceptors from its nose cone.

The drone is a hybrid-electric aircraft and is mainly designed to work in tandem with Apache helicopters to give the pilot a protective shield, as well as strike targets at a greater distance, increasing the pilot's line of sight.

Shane Arnott, Anduril’s engineering chief, said that the Thunder shall “provide a protective ring of steel” against air defence weapons, such as man-portable missiles and one-way attack drones.

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