Leonardo's Proteus Autonomous Helicopter Completes Maiden Flight in Cornwall
Leonardo's Proteus autonomous helicopter successfully completed its maiden flight at Predannack Airfield in Cornwall, as part of a £60 million program aimed at enhancing the Royal Navy's hybrid air wing. Designed for missions such as anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol, the Proteus serves as a technology demonstrator with a payload capacity exceeding one tonne, addressing increasing demands for maritime monitoring in the North Atlantic.

The Proteus, developed by Leonardo from the AW09 helicopter, conducted two autonomous test flights at Predannack Airfield in Cornwall. The £60 million program aims to support the Royal Navy's hybrid air wing, enhancing maritime operational capabilities.
The helicopter is designed for missions including anti-submarine warfare and maritime patrol, utilizing onboard sensors for autonomous flight. Though not intended for full production, Proteus serves as a technology demonstrator for future uncrewed systems. With a payload capacity exceeding one tonne, it is a significant advancement for Royal Navy operations in the North Atlantic, addressing growing maritime monitoring demands.




Comments