Royal Navy Tests Proteus Uncrewed Helicopter Prototype
The Royal Navy’s Proteus demonstrator has moved closer to flight after completing engine, systems and rotor tests at Leonardo’s Yeovil site. Developed in under two and a half years under a £60 million programme, the medium-lift autonomous helicopter carries about one tonne and is being assessed for anti-submarine warfare, surveillance, resupply and hybrid air wing integration. An operator remains in control within safety limits.
Key Points
- 1Completed engine, systems and rotor ground tests for Proteus, a full-scale uncrewed helicopter demonstrator.
- 2Demonstrates onboard autonomy, sensors and AI enabling decision-making in high sea states and strong winds.
- 3Offers about one-tonne payload for ASW sonobuoy deployment, surveillance, logistics resupply, or weapon carriage.
Scoring Rationale
Official demonstration shows meaningful maritime autonomy progress, but limited immediate operational deployment and constrained broader scope.
Sources
Public references used for this report.
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