Leonardo Proteus
{{Short description|Unmanned rotorcraft}}
{{Infobox aircraft
| name = Proteus
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| aircraft_type = Rotary-wing unmanned aerial vehicle
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| national_origin = United Kingdom
| manufacturer = Leonardo Helicopters
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| status = In development
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| primary_user = Royal Navy
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The Leonardo Proteus is an unmanned rotorcraft developed by Leonardo Helicopters for the Royal Navy. A technology demonstrator aircraft is currently being developed and manufactured at the company's site in Yeovil, England with a first flight planned for mid-2025. The design features a modular payload bay which can be interchanged to meet different mission requirements, such as at-sea replenishment and anti-submarine warfare.
Overview
In August 2013, the Ministry of Defence (MOD) placed a two-year contract with AugustaWestland (now Leonardo Helicopters) worth £2.3 million to develop its Rotary Wing Unmanned Aerial System (RWUAS) concept, which is funded through its Anti-Submarine Warfare Spearhead programme. An SW-4 Solo uncrewed rotorcraft, a derivative of the PZL SW-4 Puszczyk helicopter, was used for trials and experimentation.{{cite news |last1=Stevenson |first1=Beth |title=AUVSI 2013: Royal Navy selects AgustaWestland for RWUAS |url=https://www.shephardmedia.com/news/defence-helicopter/auvsi-2013-royal-navy-selects-agustawestland-rwuas/ |access-date=12 January 2025 |date=13 August 2013}}{{cite news |title=Polish SW-4 Solo to Assist Royal Navy Rotary-Wing UAS (RWUAS) Study |url=https://www.suasnews.com/2013/09/polish-sw-4-solo-to-assist-royal-navy-rotary-wing-uas-rwuas-study/ |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=sUAS News}} The MOD had previously considered the US Navy's MQ-8 Fire Scout but ruled it out as it "[did] not meet any endorsed UK capability need".{{cite web |title=Overview of military drones used by the UK armed forces |url=https://researchbriefings.files.parliament.uk/documents/SN06493/SN06493.pdf |website=House of Commons |access-date=12 January 2025}} A phase two contract, worth £8 million, jointly funded by Leonardo and the MOD, was signed in 2017 to continue development.{{cite news |title=Rotary Wing uncrewed Air System: Leonardo & UK MoD launch Phase 2 of the (RWUAS) Demonstrator Programme |url=https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/rotary-wing-unmanned-air-system-leonardo-uk-mod-launch-phase-2-of-the-rwuas-demonstrator-programme |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Leonardo |date=28 February 2017}} A four-year contract worth £60 million was signed in July 2022 to develop a flyable three-tonne technology demonstrator, named Proteus, with the work to be carried out in Yeovil, England.{{cite news |title=The future of UK uncrewed military VTOL technology is secure onshore as MOD gives green light to Leonardo for "Proteus" demonstration flight |url=https://www.leonardo.com/en/press-release-detail/-/detail/21-07-2022-the-future-of-uk-uncrewed-military-vtol-technology-is-secure-onshore-as-mod-gives-green-light-to-leonardo-for-proteus-demonstration-flight |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Leonardo |date=21 July 2022}}
The final design of Proteus was revealed in January 2025. Its airframe is derived from the Kopter AW09 single-engine light helicopter and shares its shrouded anti-torque system and five-bladed rotor. It is designed to carry modular payloads which can be interchanged to meet different mission requirements, such as at-sea replenishment and anti-submarine warfare. It was developed through the use of a digital twin and artificial intelligence, with more than 40 components manufactured using advanced composite materials.{{cite news |title=Leonardo unveils British Navy Proteus rotary wing UAS final design |url=https://breakingdefense.com/2025/01/leonardo-unveils-british-navy-proteus-rotary-wing-uas-final-design/#:~:text=Proteus%20sits%20under%20a%20four,of%20Defence%20in%20July%202022. |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Breaking Defense |date=7 January 2025}}{{cite news |title=Leonardo Unveils AW09-Inspired Proteus UAS Demonstrator |url=https://aviationweek.com/defense/aircraft-propulsion/leonardo-unveils-aw09-inspired-proteus-uas-demonstrator |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Aviation Week |date=7 January 2025}} Whilst it is being primarily developed for the Royal Navy, it will also be focused on exportability.{{cite news |title=Ultra-futuristic 'uncrewed' aircraft to be built in Somerset by Leonardo Helicopters |url=https://www.somersetlive.co.uk/news/somerset-news/ultra-futuristic-uncrewed-aircraft-built-8787478 |access-date=12 January 2025 |work=Somerset Live |date=29 September 2023}}