The British Royal Navy and Leonardo UK have completed the maiden autonomous flight of the Proteus full-size unmanned helicopter at Predannack Airfield, Cornwall. The flight demonstrates the helicopter’s ability to operate independently while integrating with crewed aircraft in future UK naval aviation operations.
The aircraft performed a short autonomous mission, managing all flight controls without a pilot onboard, while ground-based test teams provided oversight to ensure safety. This milestone moves the program from ground-based trials to airborne testing, validating its autonomous capabilities.
Predannack, a National Drone Hub and auxiliary airfield for RNAS Culdrose, provided the ideal testing environment. Leonardo engineers, Royal Navy personnel, and UK Defence Innovation observers witnessed the flight.
Proteus’ roots date to 2013 when the MoD funded early experiments in rotary-wing unmanned systems. The program advanced through multiple development phases, including a £60 million contract in 2022, supporting UK jobs and establishing Proteus as one of the world’s first full-size autonomous helicopters. Data from ongoing flight tests will inform the Royal Navy’s hybrid air wing strategy and NATO maritime integration efforts.
