The UK Royal Navy said its first full-sized autonomous helicopter has completed a successful maiden flight, marking a step forward in maritime surveillance as North Atlantic security pressures intensify.
The aircraft, Proteus, was developed under a £60 million programme and is intended to support the defence of the UK and NATO allies against evolving undersea threats. Designed and built by Leonardo, the platform uses advanced sensors and software to interpret its environment and operate autonomously during high-risk missions.
“Proteus represents a step-change in how maritime aviation can deliver persistence, adaptability and reach – conducting the dull, dirty and dangerous missions in challenging environments without putting human operators at risk,” said Nigel Colman, UK managing director of Leonardo Helicopters.
Key points
• Proteus completed a short test routine during its first flight
• Designed for anti-submarine warfare, sea patrols, and underwater tracking
• Intended to reduce risk to human operators during hazardous operations
• Larger and more capable than existing Royal Navy drone aircraft
ℹ️ Reuters
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