General Dynamics and ARX pitch “land drone” wingmen for UK Ajax fleet

The British arms of General Dynamics and ARX Robotics are looking to form a partnership to deploy autonomous “land drones” for the British Army’s delayed Ajax armoured fighting vehicle. General Dynamics is the contractor for Ajax.

According to reporting by the Financial Times, General Dynamics and ARX Robotics will unveil their plan to integrate unmanned ground vehicles (UGVs) with Ajax at the Defence Vehicle Dynamics exhibition (DVD26) in Bedford today. These will function as land-based “wingmen” drones of sorts for the crewed vehicle.

Citing unnamed people familiar with the programme, the project remains in the concept development stage and has not yet been costed. At this stage it remains an industry effort without MOD funding.

If realized as planned, the drones would make Ajax vehicles more lethal, while also allowing the British Army to increase its mass.

ARX Robotics’ Hector uncrewed ground vehicle

David Roberts, chief executive of ARX Robotics UK, said that “by combining Ajax with Hector autonomous wingmen, we can extend the reach and capability of crewed platforms while reducing the number of soldiers who need to be exposed to danger”.

Initial work will examine how these UGVs will provide reconnaissance, protection, and carry out combat missions for the mother Ajax vehicle. Work is also being done on how Ajax can command and control them.

ARX describes Hector as “a wheeled, medium-class unmanned ground vehicle that redefines the land domain through a new capability. Optionally manned, software-defined and built on Mithra OS, it gives European land forces speed, range and autonomy while keeping soldiers in control and out of direct fire.”

The vehicle is electric, has a control range of up to four kilometers, a speed of 70 km/h, and a load capacity of up to 500kg. It is designed to be a modular platform.

The contractors suggest the UGVs would be produced in the United Kingdom. Meanwhile, the MoD said in April that the Ajax programme is moving forward and there will soon be a phased reintroduction.

Earlier this year, ARX won a contract to supply the British Army with its Gereon UGVs.

Meeting the British Army’s 20-40-20 doctrine

Ajax and Hector integration is intended to fit into the vision of the British Army’s 20-40-20 drone strategy as outlined by Roly Walker, chief of the UK General Staff, in May 2025. Like the Royal Navy and Royal Air Force, the British Army is planning for a hybrid future combining crewed and uncrewed systems.

Under this plan, the British Army’s equipment will consist of 20% survivable equipment that will protect crews and survive battles. 40% of its equipment will be attritable uncrewed systems designed to be cost-effective.

The remaining 40% will be essentially munitions. These include weapons designed for single use, like missiles and kamikaze drones.

The ARX Robotics UGVs would represent the attritable middle 40%. While the war in Ukraine has not yet produced tanks and AFVs with ground-based loyal wingman drones, UGVs have become an important part of the Ukrainian equipment and ability to supply and even fight on the front line.