---
title: "Wasp's Nest: How Britain is Turning Chinook Helicopters into Flying Drone Bases"
description: "The British Army is turning Chinook helicopters into flying drone bases as part of the \"Wasp's Nest\" project. 🚁🤖 New machines will be able to launch autonomous devices directly in flight, increasing firepower by 10 times. 🇬🇧"
date: 2026-06-28T05:22:00.000Z
lang: en
url: https://xab.info/en/posts/wasp-nest-how-britain-is-turning-chinook-helicopters-into-flying-drone-bases
tags: []
publisher: "XAB.info"
---

# Wasp's Nest: How Britain is Turning Chinook Helicopters into Flying Drone Bases

![British Chinook transport helicopter in the air, soldiers watching the landing in a field](https://xab.info/media/2026/06/28/britaniya-prevrashchaet-vertolety-chinook-v-bazzy-dlya-dronov/britaniya-prevrashchaet-vertolety-chinook-v-bazzy-dlya-dronov-1.webp)

Legendary British transport helicopters, the Chinooks, which have been transporting soldiers and equipment for decades, are transforming into high-tech platforms for launching combat drones. The UK Air Command has launched a project called "Wasp's Nest," which radically changes the role of heavy twin-rotor machines on the battlefield.

### From Transport to Attack Coordination

Tests have already shown how autonomous drones are deployed from the helicopter directly during mission execution. Now, drones will fly ahead of the main aircraft, using their cameras to detect hostile targets at distances of up to 20 kilometers. This allows the crew to strike the enemy from a safe distance without exposing themselves to unnecessary risk.

Brigadier General Nick English, commander of the 1st Aviation Brigade combat team, stated that the implementation of this technology will make British helicopter forces 10 times more lethal. According to him, the army is already ready for combat application of such schemes, although the deployment process still requires refining the regulatory framework for the safe control of drones from the aircraft.

### New Capabilities and Large-Scale Investments

Full deployment of a fleet of helicopters with integrated unmanned systems is expected within the next 12–18 months. In parallel, the army is implementing the Nyx program, worth £10 million, aimed at creating autonomous drone partners for the newest Apache attack helicopters.

In 2024, an order was placed for 14 new long-range Chinook helicopters. The cost of the contract was £1.47 billion. The developer is Boeing. The new modification has a number of key advantages:

- Flight range has been doubled compared to the standard model.

- Payload capacity is 10,000 kg.

- Cabin capacity allows for the transport of up to 55 service members.

- Machines are equipped with the ability to refuel in mid-air.

- Helicopters are capable of operating in extreme conditions — from Arctic cold to scorching deserts.

The military plans to use the updated Chinooks in close coordination with Apache attack helicopters. The transport machine is now not just delivering ammunition but actively coordinating the attack, acting as a mobile command base.