Through FalconWorks, we’re working together with Certo Aerospace, a British SME specialising in large VTOL Uncrewed Air Systems to develop their Capstone co-axial heavy-lift UAS to operate alongside crewed helicopters.
Capstone has successfully taken part in funded project demonstrations for the Royal Navy, UK Defence Medical Services (JHubMed) and the US Department of War. Certo continues to develop and test their modular and affordable helicopter at various sites in the UK under CAA (Civil Aviation Authority) operational authorisation, completing Capstone’s third year of flight tests in June 2026.
Real-world capability
Capstone is an innovative 100%-British coaxial heavy-lift UAS capable of lifting heavy payloads of 280kg with excellent flight characteristics in hover mode and at high speed.
Capstone is a proven platform with multi-role capability including logistics, casualty evacuation (CASEVAC), persistent reconnaissance, target acquisition, electronic warfare and precision strike in contested environments.
Modular by design and with its open architecture systems, the ability to integrate third-party avionics, sensors and payloads will enable multi-mission swing-role battle-winning capability.
A sovereign solution
Our joint offering with Certo Aerospace has recently been down-selected by the UK Ministry of Defence (MoD) for Project NYX – the British Army’s flagship programme to develop next-generation autonomous systems capable of operating alongside Apache attack helicopters with initial operational capability targeted for 2030.
With wider support from across the BAE Systems enterprise to including UAS, weapon integration, autonomy and ISR expertise from FalconWorks, Callen Lenz and our Digital Intelligence business, along with a multitude number of UK suppliers, we are collectively working together to ensure Capstone can swiftly add this highly efficient heavy-lift VTOL UAS into front-line service, giving a whole new set of choices to our mission commanders exactly where it’s needed.
We are proud to be partnering with Certo Aerospace in response to the UK Army’s NYX requirement.
Together we offer the only 100% sovereign solution bringing together world leading UK innovation across our collective enterprise to provide our miltary forces with the battle winning autonomous rotary wing at the combat edgeAnthony Gregory, Business Development Director, FalconWorks, BAE Systems Air