The Royal Navy’s first crewless helicopter is one step from taking to the skies after completing successful trials on the ground.

Proteus – the size of a traditional helicopter, but with a pilot tasking the aircraft rather than flying it – has been ‘flashed up’, testing her engines, systems and rotor blades.

Designed and manufactured in less than two-and-a-half years at the home of British helicopters in Yeovil, the Proteus Technology Demonstrator is being developed by Leonardo under a £60m programme, and is believed to be one of the world’s first full-sized autonomous helicopters.

This is the first step towards creating a truly autonomous Vertical Take-off and Landing (VTOL) aircraft in this weight class.

It will help both the designers and the Royal Navy understand what similar machines will be needed in the future and how they will operate, either individually or more likely working in tandem with crewless and crewed aircraft as part of a ‘hybrid air wing’.

Senior officers and experts from the MOD were invited to Leonardo’s Yeovil site to see Proteus ‘ground running’ – as well as learn about the leading-edge technology, programming and Artificial Intelligence which is key to the helicopter’s success.

“It’s been a huge pleasure to work with Leonardo and across Defence, as one team, to deliver Proteus,” said Captain David Gillett, head of Maritime Aviation and Carrier Strike in the Royal Navy’s Develop Directorate.

“It combines cutting-edge technology, the experience of recent conflicts and has enormous potential to shape the Royal Navy’s future hybrid air wing.”

Nigel Colman, Managing Director Helicopters UK, Leonardo added: “Leonardo is leading the way globally in autonomy, supported by the Royal Navy.

“Proteus is equipped with cutting-edge onboard software capabilities, carrying a suite of sensors and systems that allow it to sense its environment, make decisions and act accordingly. All of this processing is conducted onboard the aircraft, while operating in the most extreme environments, including high sea states and strong winds – just where the Royal Navy needs this kind of capability.” 

With a payload bay capable of carrying up to one tonne of equipment, a helicopter like Proteus could perform other missions including airborne surveillance and control, search and rescue, logistics re-supply for ground forces, weapon delivery and intelligence gathering.

Initially, the demonstrator is being assessed for the ability of autonomous systems to support anti-submarine operations.

Proteus will be tasked to patrol specific maritime areas, drawing on information provided by other allied ships, helicopters, submarines, and detection systems to calculate the best chance of success in finding an underwater foe.

To detect submarines Proteus will drop sonobuoy listening devices into the ocean to search the depths for the tell-tale acoustic signs that emanate from submarines. Once found the system has the ability to report its findings back to the mission commander.

By embracing drone helicopters, the Navy aims to search wider stretches of ocean for longer periods without putting strain on aircrew, who could be deployed on other critical sorties.

While Proteus isn’t flown by a pilot, the technology demonstrator always has an operator in control of the system, operating within predesignated safe limits and customer defined rules of engagement. 

Source: Royal Navy