The Royal Navy’s Proteus, its first full-sized autonomous helicopter developed by Leonardo, completed its maiden flight on Jan 16. Built under a £60 million programme, Proteus is designed for anti-submarine warfare, maritime patrols and underwater tracking, using sensors and autonomous software to operate without a crew. The aircraft is intended to perform high-risk and persistent missions in the North Atlantic, reflecting broader shifts in European defence posture since Russia’s 2022 invasion of Ukraine.
Royal Navy’s Proteus Completes Maiden Flight — Full-Sized Autonomous Helicopter Aimed At North Atlantic Threats
The Proteus, UK's first truly autonomous full-size helicopter, flies as on the day it completed its maiden flight operating from Predannack airfield in Cornwall, Britain, in this handout obtained by Reuters on January 16, 2026. Simon Pryor/Handout via REUTERS
LONDON, Jan 16 — The Royal Navy announced on Friday that Proteus, its first full-sized autonomous helicopter, completed its maiden flight as part of efforts to strengthen anti-submarine and maritime surveillance capabilities in the North Atlantic.
Developed by defence and aerospace group Leonardo under a £60 million (about $80.5 million) programme, Proteus is designed to operate without an onboard crew. The aircraft relies on an array of sensors and computer systems driven by software that enable it to interpret its surroundings and make autonomous decisions in complex maritime environments.
The navy said Proteus is intended for anti-submarine warfare (ASW), maritime patrols and the tracking of underwater vessels, allowing it to carry out high-risk or routine missions "without putting human operators at risk." The service described the aircraft as a key asset for defending Britain and NATO allies against "evolving threats" in the North Atlantic.
"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.
The Royal Navy already operates smaller unmanned aircraft, including a compact surveillance helicopter, but Proteus is larger and more sophisticated, offering extended endurance, greater sensor payload capacity and enhanced autonomy for sustained operations over remote ocean areas.
Strategic Context
The announcement comes amid a broader reshaping of European defence since Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine in February 2022, with governments increasing defence spending and expanding military capabilities. Interest in Arctic and North Atlantic surveillance has grown: U.S. discussions about Greenland have been linked in part to monitoring sea lanes used by Russian vessels and submarines, particularly in the corridor between Greenland, Iceland and Britain. Moscow has rejected claims that Russia and China pose a threat to Greenland.
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(Reporting by Catarina Demony; Editing by William James)
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