Leonardo unveils new design of uncrewed Proteus demonstrator
Leonardo’s site at Yeovil, UK will reportedly maintain an “aggressive” roadmap to deliver the programme. (Photo: Leonardo)
According to Leonardo, the rotorcraft will conduct its first flight by mid-2025, following on from its £60 million (US$ 75 million) contract award in July 2022.
Leonardo, the Royal Navy (RN) and the UK’s Ministry of Defence Equipment and Support (DE&S) team have unveiled the design for its Proteus technology demonstrator aircraft.
The £60 million uncrewed rotorcraft project will inform the RN’s Maritime Aviation Transformation (MATx) strategy and will be used to showcase advances in autonomy, payload modularity and interchangeability.
The contract was awarded to Leonardo in June 2022 and was originally unveiled at DSEI 2023.
Related Articles
Proteus contract puts Leonardo on course to develop UK uncrewed VTOL hub
Leonardo and UK MoD unveil rotary-wing UAS at DSEI 2023
The newly unveiled design for the three-tonne unit has drawn on a “wide range” of Leonardo’s helicopter portfolio, and its Uncrewed Air Systems (UAS) programmes, according to the manufacturer – which helped lower development costs and accelerate the aircraft’s development.
Its development will be broken into phases, emphasising “continuous collaboration and improvement” between the three teams, Leonardo added.
Furthermore, the Proteus design – with its modular payload bay – enables flexibility in mission roles, giving commanders a “wide range of options” from a single aircraft, allowing for a design that is both operationally and financially beneficial.
The manufacturer has developed a ‘digital twin’ of the Proteus technology using AI software, and is experimenting with additive manufacturing for use in the rotorcraft’s production.
Phil Bartlett, Head of Future Programmes at Leonardo Helicopters UK said: "Preparations are progressing at pace for the first flight later this year. We're pulling together a range of exciting new technologies for the Proteus demonstrator, so there's a lot to do and a lot of moving parts to get in place before that happens, but the team are highly motivated to deliver this key milestone and we're really seeing the benefits of our use of digital engineering techniques such as digital twinning."
Project Proteus is the RN and Leonardo’s collaborative effort to develop an uncrewed helicopter demonstrator that could serve as an alternative to crewed aircraft like the AW101 Merlin, particularly in anti-submarine warfare, resupply and medevac missions.
Shephard Defence Insight has noted a potential forecast that the RN may choose to acquire 37 units for $731 million across the next decade, should it wish to replace all or part of its Merlin fleet in the future.
Related Programmes in Defence Insight
Related Equipment in Defence Insight
More from Air Warfare
-
![India confronts widening military helicopter gap as border demands intensify]()
India confronts widening military helicopter gap as border demands intensify
India’s major helicopter programmes are under the spotlight as the country turns to global partners to replace legacy helicopters with growing urgency.
-
![Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing’s MQ-28A targets key 2028 date as Block II ground tests begin]()
Singapore Airshow 2026: Boeing’s MQ-28A targets key 2028 date as Block II ground tests begin
The MQ-28A Ghost Bat is the most mature CCA platform currently under development, with Boeing looking to accelerate its timelines and development of the aircraft.
-
![Latin American air forces look beyond fighters to revamp transport aircraft fleets]()
Latin American air forces look beyond fighters to revamp transport aircraft fleets
The Mexican Air Force has become the first Latin American operator of the C-130J Super Hercules, but the service is not alone in acquiring a tactical airlifter in recent months.
